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RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Excitement is building in North Jersey for the Monday, April 8 total solar eclipse. While we’re not among the 32 million Americans living in the path of totality, we're close enough to enjoy the celestial sensation.

In the United States, the path of totality extends from Texas to Maine, but each of the 48 continental states will see some of the solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon slips between our bright star and Earth.

In Bergen County, the moon will cover at least 90 percent of the sun at the peak of the eclipse, according to a NASA map that is searchable by ZIP code. Depending on which town you're in, it may cover a bit more.

For instance, near the county's southern border, in Kearny, the moon will cover around 90.2 percent of the sun. But up north in Mahwah, the moon will cover 91.5 percent. In Ridgewood, it will cover approximately 91 percent, and in Wyckoff, it will cover 91.2 percent.

Timing For Bergen County:

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Partial eclipse begins: 2:10 p.m.Totality begins: 2:51 p.m.Maximum: 3:25 p.m.Totality ends: 3:58 p.m.Partial ends: 4:36 p.m.

In places with totality, the sun will go completely dark for just a few minutes.

Events: Flat Rock Park in Englewood is holding a viewing party that day. Find out more here.

Right now, it looks like we could have clouds and rain for the big event, but anything can change. Put your ZIP code into the NASA site for updates.

The total solar eclipse starts in Mexico, entering the United States in Texas and traveling through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. It also goes through small parts of Tennessee and Michigan.

It then enters Canada in southern Ontario and proceeds through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton before exiting continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

It will be March 30, 2033, before another total solar eclipse touches the United States, and that’s only on the tip of Alaska. It’ll be Aug. 12, 2044, before the next eclipse sweeps across the lower 48 states, with parts of Montana and North Dakota experiencing totality.

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RIDGEWOOD — The state Historic Preservation Office has declared the village's 1,200-page application to install a turf sports field north of the Zabriskie-Schedler House "not yet technically and professionally complete and sufficient."

The four-page March 22 letter from the agency's Program Specialist Jennifer Leynes is posted on the municipal website. It is her response to the village's Feb. 16 application, also posted on the website, as an application with four addenda for its appendices.

When hired in April 2023, consultant Peter Primavera predicted that the application he was assigned to compile would be ready by the end of 2023. In February, Village Manager Keith Kazmark said its submission was delayed because "our professional wanted to make sure we told the whole story."

However, Leynes' letter indicates the agency does not yet have the "whole story" and still needs the following:

Statement of purpose. The application "lacks a unified, coherent and cogent statement of the purpose for the proposed development," Leynes wrote. Among the unanswered questions: List of existing athletic fields, current usage, size of fields by sport and age of users, organizations using current fields, anticipated age and users of the new field, analysis of the number of games versus the number of existing fields.

Leynes noted that a reference is repeatedly made in the application to field use by one group, "RJFA," without an explanation of what the initials stand for. It stands for Ridgewood Junior Football Association. The information is key to assessing the "public benefit" of the proposal, Leynes said.

Alternatives. The agency asked to see details of alternative designs considered for the site with explanations of why they were unacceptable, including a 2002 concept plan, the 2022 plan developed in consultation with the agency, and an alternative to the current turf field proposal substituting a grass field. There is no mention of an often-discussed December 2017 smaller grass field plan, which is already included in the application (Pages 45 to 53).

Archeological. The Grubb & Associates survey "remains technically deficient" and was done "without prior knowledge" of a 2023 Hunter Research archeological monitoring report on the area. The state agency is concerned that the area below the recently added fill "remains unsampled for the presence or absence of contributing archeological deposits."

Though nothing connected to the Revolutionary War showed up in preliminary metal testing, the remainder of the park "continues to possess high sensitivity for Revolutionary War military-related artifacts" and requires further study. Metal detection may not adequately assess objects more than a foot below the surface, Leynes said.

Relevancy. Letters of support in Appendix 3 (Addendum 1, Pages 56 to 109) and Appendix 17 (Addendum 2, Pages 144 to 206) total 115 pages. But only four of those letters date from 2023 in favor of the current full-size turf field. The rest date from 2020 or 2021, speak in favor of rehabilitating the historic house, and are "not relevant to the current undertaking." In fact, included are letters of support from Councilwomen Lorraine Reynolds and Pamela Perron, who wrote in favor of rehabilitating the house but have since expressed public opposition to the current turf field proposal.

In contrast, Addendum 3 of the application includes 310 pages of petitions against the current project. Addendum 4 starts with 118 more pages of petitions against the project, followed by 167 pages of 2023 letters opposing the current project or the manner of its testing. That is a total of 595 pages opposing the project, almost half the application.

Missing information. The letter questions why Hunter Research, Connelly & Hickey and Barton Ross AIA are mentioned in the table of contents but their resumes are not included. The agency wants a complete list of statewide and local organizations with an interest in the project, including Ridgewood's Friends of Schedler and the Capt. Abraham Godwin Chapter New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, serving Bergen and Passaic counties.

In the letter, Leynes requested a Department of Environmental Protection report on the property's wetlands assessment rather than the village engineer's statement on what was found. The agency wants the village's project budget and funds spent to date, as promised in Appendix 18 (Addendum 2, Pages 207 to 208). However, the one-page statement now includes only links to a website on federal and state grants and, inexplicably, where to apply for assistance with low- and moderate-income housing.

"We will make the requested changes, provide additional information and submit the updates," said Kazmark, the village manager.

Primavera, the consultant, did not respond to a request for comment.

Top 10 Restaurants in Ridgewood, NJ

Ridgewood, NJ is a northern historical looking village full of life. With countless shops, activities, and restaurants, it can be hard to choose where to go. Here are Ridgewood, NJ’s top ten restaurants that you must try when visiting the area that offers unforgettable experiences and dazzling dishes.

Raymond’s – $$

This cozy, delicious restaurant first opened in Montclair in 1989, but with its growing popularity, Raymond and partner Joanne Ricci brought another spot to Ridgewood. Breakfast and lunch are served Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, dinner is served from 4 pm to 9 pm all week, and brunch happens from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Breakfast contains classics like eggs and pancakes—but better. “Eggs Norwegian” comes with smoked salmon, hollandaise, an English muffin, and home fries. The classic buttermilk pancakes are served with Berkshire maple syrup and salted butter, but wild Maine blueberry sauce is available to add for extra. Appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrées, and burgers are also available. For dinner, try the “Baja Fish Tacos,” which are made with blackened mahi-mahi, huitlacoche, cabbage, and cilantro. Their classic hamburger is also a hit, the beefsteak tomato, gem lettuce, red onion, and accompanied french fries making for an incredibly tasty meal. End with their “Warm Ricotta Donuts” with wild berry jam and chocolate sauce or the “Sticky Toffee Cake” with pecans and rum raisin gelato.

White Maple Café – $$

White Maple Café serves classic American food with exceptional flavors and ingredients that are locally sourced. Monday through Friday, breakfast is open from 8 am to 11:15 am and lunch from 11:30 am to 4 pm. Dinner starts at 5 pm and ends at 8:30 pm on Mondays and Sundays, but Tuesdays and Thursdays end at 9 pm, while Fridays and Saturdays go until 10 pm. Brunch is served from 8 am to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. While they do serve wine from the Ventimiglia Vineyard in Wantage, NJ, customers can bring their own! Pair some wine with their “Pan Roasted Half Chicken” or the “Seared Scallops.” The chicken is “Goffle Road Farm chicken, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and aji verde, and the scallops are Barnegat Light sea scallops with pumpkin and butternut squash risotto. Not sure what wine to bring? Check out The Best Sweet Red Wines.

Pearl Restaurant – $$

Pearl Restaurant is not only one of the top restaurants in Ridgewood but one of the top freshest. Chefs do not use microwaves, freezers, or fryers, cooking fresh food daily. The restaurant opens every day at 12 pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday closing at 9 pm, Friday and Saturday at 10 pm, and Sunday at 9 pm. However, lunch is only served until 3 pm Monday through Friday, where guests can try the “Pearl Boneless Chicken Breast Francese” or the “Bell & Evans Boneless Chicken Breast Zingarella,” made with cremini mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and marsala wine. Both are served over seasonal vegetables and Yukon gold mashed potatoes. For dinner, the “Florida Gulf Shrimp with Pine Nut Pesto” or “Milk Fed Veal Scaloppini” are excellent choices. The shrimp comes with heirloom cherry tomatoes and Meyer lemon risotto-style orzo, while the veal comes with cremini mushrooms, sage, truffle oil, and marsala wine, again served over those lovely vegetables and mashed potatoes.

Felina – $$$$

Serving delicious Italian meals, Felina offers an array of luxurious food, drinks, seating, and entertainment. This restaurant is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays, but opens at 5 pm and closes at 10 pm Wednesday through Saturday. On Sunday, bask in the beautiful atmosphere from 12 pm to 8 pm with brunch served until 3:30 pm. Try their “Spaghetti al Pomodoro” with tomato and basil with the choice to add local burrata or the “Maple Brined Pork Chop” served with bacon jam, sweet potato puree, and roasted Brussels sprouts. For the whole table, order “Lobster Fra Diavolo,” a 1.5 lb lobster with linguini and fire-roasted long hots. If dining on the rooftop, known as “La Terrazza,” order a “Dolce Pesca,” which is a mojito with rum, peach, mint, lime juice, and simple syrup, or a strawberry watermelon or wild peach sangria “Felina Rosa Frosé.” Both the interior and exterior of this restaurant are stunning—so much so that there is a bridal suite and the opportunity for wedding photos. They even offer classes, the earliest upcoming being a “Mocktail vs. Cocktail Class” hosted on January 25 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Latour – $$$

For French cuisine, check out Latour on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 pm to 9 pm or Sundays from 4 pm to 8 pm. For an appetizer, try the “Escargots a’ la Bourguignonne” with garlic white wine sauce, creamed spinach, and a phyllo pastry shell or the “Fallen French Cheese Soufflé,” served with a red wine reduction, seasonal berry compote, toasted pecans, and truffle honey. For an entrée, order “Filet of Beef Wellington-Napoleon” with a layered puff pastry, wild mushroom duxelles, paté de foie gras, and veal demi glacé, or “Sliced Loin of Venison,” served with potato gratin, vegetable du jour, and cranberry demi glacé. Finish with “Profiteroles” or “Bavarian Apple Strudel.” Can’t choose between options? Check out their four-course tasting menu.

Park West – $$$

Ridgewood’s Park West Tavern is open from 10:30 am until midnight on Sundays and 11:30 am until midnight the rest of the week. Serving American food for lunch, dinner, and brunch with tons of cocktails and craft beers, there is something for everyone here. Try the “Ribeye Spring Rolls” with cremini mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella for brunch and the “10oz Filet Mignon” for dinner, served with garlic spinach, potato fondant, and demi. The handcrafted cocktails are a hit here, with options like “The Antithesis” with nue vodka, Pama liqueur, lychee, and cranberry, or the “Bar Drake Manhattan 1862” with Bulleit bourbon, carpano antica, maple syrup, and Angostura bitters. There is a substantial collection of craft beers ranging from “Sweetwater” IPA to “Forged” Irish Stout. Park West even hosts events known as “Evenings in the Park,” where guests can listen to live music from local bands, taste food and wine, and have a themed invitation-only dinner.

Café 37 – $$

Café 37, named one of Ridgewood NJ’s best restaurants, lives up to its title. Open from 4 pm to 9 pm Tuesday through Thursday, 4 pm to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 4 pm to 8 pm on Sundays, this sweet spot offers an A La Carte and dessert menu, as well as a kid’s menu. Start off with the “Braise Short-Ribs Raviolis,” topped with a blend of exotic mushrooms and smoked gouda fondue, or the “Charcuterie Board” filled with imported cheeses and cured meats, along with a homemade smoked eggplant dip and a side of sweet dry fruit jam. Order the “Pan Seared Filet of Salmon” as an entrée, and enjoy the side of roasted root vegetables, grilled asparagus, and tomato coulis. Top the meal off with their “Bananas Foster and Dark Chocolate Brioche Bread Pudding & Mascarpone Mousse” for an extra delight.

Village Green Restaurant – $$$

Village Green Restaurant has a fascinating history that increases the atmosphere of the location. Starting off as a Carriage House in the late 1890s, then becoming a parking garage, then being demolished and rebuilt as a pet shop in the 1930s, spending the next few decades being a real estate office, the United Jersey Bank of Ridgewood, a frame store, and a martial arts supply store. It was not until 1989 that it became one of the town’s first restaurants, and today, it stands tall and proud, serving New American food with the ability to bring your own drinks. From Tuesday to Thursday, it is open from 5 pm to 9 pm, but on Fridays and Saturdays, it closes at 10 pm. Village Green offers a four-course tasting menu that includes dishes like “Duck Empanada,” “Lemon Sole Veronique,” and a “Salted Caramel Tart.” These fares can be found on the regular menu as well, aside from options like the “Seared Tuna Tataki,” which includes sweet potato, sesame, wakame, spicy cucumber, and garlic aioli, and the “Dijon & Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin,” served with smashed red bliss potato, haricot vert, and sauce vierge.

Shumi Japanese Cuisine – $$

Shumi Japanese Cuisine has only five items on its menu, but they are all made by “New York Times” featured chef David Seo. He has been cooking Japanese food for over 20 years, and his partnering chef, Kunihiko Aikasa, has been doing it for over 45. Aikasa is the founder of Shumi, and since its opening in 1986, it has been named the #1 Japanese restaurant in NJ. The first item on the menu is the “Shumi Omakase.” It is seasonal and made fresh daily. Next is the “Bluefin Tuna Poke Tartare,” which includes avocado, vegetables, sushi rice, ikura, and masago and is topped with their special sauce. The “Shumi Temaki” is hand-rolled with sweet miso, topped with caramelized A5 Miyazaki Wagyu along with a yuzu scallion ponzu sauce. The interesting “Otoro Sashimi Pizza” is, of course, shaped like a pizza, but made with BlueFin Fatty Tuna and Ponzu sauce. The final dish is the “Shumi Chirashi,” which is a daily fresh fish chosen by the chef over sushi rice. They are open every day from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm.

Craving Tapas – $$

This Spanish cuisine bistro is open all week from 11 am to 10 pm. Their menu features spreads with naan, charcuterie board options, sides, empanadas, land and sea, zesty flavors, and even vegan options. Options like the “Grilled Black Angus Skirt Steak” and “Bronzino Mediterraneo” are served with excellent sides, the streak including creamed spinach, parmesan truffle fries, and pico de gallo, and the fish with Gaeta olives, capers, caramelized onions, and garlic. The vegan options consist of a roasted brussel sprout salad, charred artichokes, jersey corn, and a three-mushroom risotto. This beautiful bistro even does catering and private events!

Ridgewood is full of exquisite restaurants and tastes with options for every flavor palette. For other restaurants not in this bustling town, check out The 9 Best Restaurants in South Jersey and Organic Restaurants in NJ: Top 5 to Look Out For.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The first location of OHM Fitness Studio, a national chain, opened on March 7 in Bergen County.

OHM Fitness Park Ridge opened at the Ridgemonth Shopping Center, next to Lidl, 201 Kinderkarmack Road.

The company said the studio is known for its EMS (Electro Muscle Stimulation) training, its wireless EMPower suit, and "an innovative and exciting workout method that has captured the attention of fitness enthusiasts worldwide."

They said, "Our 25-minute sessions will not only offer gentle, joint-friendly movements for individuals with musculoskeletal concerns but also provide intense and comprehensive workouts for those who crave a deeper physical challenge – all with 3x faster results."

The 2,500 sq. ft. facility held a soft opening Feb. 6 before the grand opening this month.

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The new location is under the ownership of John and Janet Mok, a husband-and-wife duo from Wayne.

“Once we tried OHM Fitness for ourselves, we instantly knew it wouldstand out from the rest,” said Janet Mok. “It offers a unique value proposition within the fitness industry."

John Mok said, “We believe this next generation of fitness will attract the diverse population of northern New Jersey,appealing to health-conscious residents, time-pressed individuals/parents, the tech-minded, and those previously concerned or hesitant to engage in traditional gym-based exercise."

“OHM Fitness is revolutionizing the fitness industry,” said Marisa Verna, Studio Manager. “The OHM workout is LIIT (low impact interval training), making it safe and effective for all ages and people in varying physical conditions."

"OHM Fitness Studio promises an immersive, high-tech fitness experience upon entry," the company said. "From 3D body scanning and wearable technology to the studio’s synchronized music and multi-color lighting sequences, that are paired with the workout pace, the OHM Fitness regimen stands out in the fitnessindustry. OHM Fitness’ groundbreaking wireless Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) EMPower Suit condenses the advantages of an intense two-and-a-half-hour workout into a mere 25-minute, low-impact session. Thus, members can gain results 3X faster than at a traditional gym."

Visit www.OHMfitness.com for more information.

GLEN ROCK, NJ — A Glen Rock councilwoman has been catching heat over an Instagram post on her personal page that mocked anti-abortion stances, because the post referred to Easter and Easter eggs.

The post, in various colors, said, "Easter Eggs are aborted chicken babies that are painted in drag for small children to worship. Happy Easter." (See it here.)

On Sunday, Councilwoman Paula Gilligan explained her post in a message on the town website, and in a separate post, the mayor and council members apologized.

"We all feel very strongly that everyone’s religious beliefs and traditions must be treated with respect," said a post signed by Mayor Kristine Morieko and council members. "They should not be the subject of jokes or inflammatory social media posts.

"That is even more true when the social media post is made by an elected official, because we are here to represent and support all Glen Rockers of all religious beliefs and backgrounds. We understand how important Easter and the symbols of Easter are to the many Glen Rockers who celebrate."

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The post continued, in part, "We believe strongly that Glen Rock should be an inclusive community that celebrates and honors everyone’s religious beliefs and traditions. This includes Christianity as well as all of the other religions represented in town. We call on all Glen Rockers to support and respect each other, and as your elected officials, we continue to strive to be examples."

The full post, and Gilligan's letter, are below.

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Gilligan's message on the town website:

"It has come to my attention that there are constituents in Glen Rock that have concerns with a meme on my personal Instagram story. The meme takes aim at the absurdity of “personhood” laws. Currently 40 bills with personhood language have been proposed in 16 states. Personhood language refers to legal language that would codify the dangerous notion that from the moment of fertilization, an egg should be legally recognized as a person with full constitutional rights. This legislation supports an extremist political position that I disagree with. It is my personal opinion that people have the right to control their bodies and their lives.

"My personal Instagram does not constitute the official views, opinions or beliefs of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Glen Rock. To those who feel it mocks your holiday traditions, that was not my intention. Wishing all who celebrate a peaceful, joyous holiday. Paula Gilligan"

This year, Good Friday is observed this Friday, March 29, and Easter is this Sunday, March 31, 2024.