As bears get ready to hibernate for the winter, they will be consuming more than 20,000 calories per day, according to officials from the Division of Fish and Wildlife. Numerous Patch readers reported seeing a bear in town this week, so here are five ways to keep hungry bears away: 1. Don't put garbage out until the morning of collection. Bears can smell food from three miles away and have a good enough memory to come back and check for more food later. 2. It is important to not feed bears. Residents should feed their pets indoors and take down bird feeders until the winter, when bears are …

Wyckoff's annual leaf collection started this week, but Department of Public Works crews have already noticed more branches being mixed in with leaves than usual. Here are five things to know about the annual leaf collection: 1. Branches clog the trucks that collect leaves. Each time they become clogged, the crew must stop and clear the clog before continuing. 2. Residents can bring branches to the Recycling and Conservation Center on West Main Street, which is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Anyone with a fireplace is recommended to use sticks from their yard as …

With the popularity of candles rising, the Wyckoff Fire Department has offered some tips for burning them safely. 1. Keep candles away from flammable objects, children and pets. Curtains and windows should also be avoided, as a curtain can blow over a candle and catch on fire. Place candles on heat-resistant surfaces, such as ceramics, that can catch hot dripping wax. 2. Never leave a candle unattended. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, 20 percent of fires caused by candles were started by unattended candles. 3. If you're feeling sleepy or going to bed, don't light a …

Here are some little changes you can make around your own home that will help the environment, courtesy of the Wyckoff Environmental Commission: 1. Buy clothes that don't need to be dry cleaned. After washing clothes, hang them out to dry instead of using the dryer. 2. Use a cleaning cloth instead of disposable wipes. Also, try out environmentally-friendly cleaning products like white vinegar and baking soda. 3. If you've got a new baby, try using cloth instead of disposable diapers. 4. Instead of throwing them away, donate "gently used" clothes to charity. 5. Bring reusable bags to the …

The seventh annual Buddy Walk is scheduled for this Saturday at the Wyckoff YMCA. Each year, area residents gather to support local families affected by Down Syndrome and raise awareness of the condition. Last year, nearly 1,500 volunteers participated. Money from the event goes to the Billy's Buddies program at the YMCA, an organization which is both a support group for families whose children have Down Syndrome and also strives to create acceptance of those with the condition. They hold regular events for the families to help with a variety of issues that arise when raising a child with …

One thing is clear. Patch readers are huge fans of BYOB’s and the response to a recent “5 BYOB’s” on a nearby site was so overwhelming that part two was not simply necessary--it was expected.  1. Fontana di Trevi Originally located across from Carnegie Hall in NYC, Fontana was the restaurant that inspired Billy Joel to write Italian Restaurant. Now located on Fort Lee Road in Leonia, bring a bottle of white, a bottle of red, perhaps a bottle of rose instead because it's BYOB. Beautiful ambience, freshly prepared Italian specialties, this is a very popular neighborhood place. Just the type of …

Who doesn’t love a good BYOB restaurant? You get to pair your favorite wines (or liquors) with your favorite foods while avoiding an inflated bar bill.  Here are 5 BYOB’s recommended by Patch readers. Let us know your favorite BYOB. 1. Session Bistro The new kid on the block, Session Bistro is fast becoming the new hot spot of Maywood offering freshly prepared food and sushi in a casual atmosphere. Located right next door to the historic Maywood Train Station, Session’s also offers live jazz on the weekends. Session Bistro, 245 Maywood Ave., Maywood; 201-880-7810            2. 354 Steakhouse …

Township officials hope to raise Wyckoff's recycing rate to a "nifty" 50 percent, which could save $100,000 in trash disposal costs. Here are five ways you can help: 1. Schedule a pick-up of appliances and other large metal items with the DPW. They are available to take away these items on Wednesdays. Call (201) 891-7000 ext. 101 to learn more and schedule a pick-up. 2. Bring old electronics to the Recycling Conservation Center on West Main Street.  3. Instead of throwing away unwanted appliances and furniture, consider donating them or listing them in a classified ad. 4. The township pays …

Today is the first day of fall. Here are five things about the season of football, apples and Halloween: 1. The first day of fall is also the second equinox of the year, when the Earth's axis is not pointed toward or away from the Sun. The exact moment of the equinox took place at about 4:04 a.m. today. There will be approximately equal amounts of day and night today. 2. Until December 22, days will be getting shorter and nights will get longer. Trees will stop performing photosynthesis, which is what causes the leaves to lose their green color. 3. Modern Halloween has its origins in the …

Rumor has it that this fall is going to be a tough one for allergy sufferers. Here are some tips to help with your fall allergies. When you are mowing the lawn or raking the leaves this fall put on a face mask. These outdoor activities are brutal because they kick up all the allergens into the air for you to inhale.  Likewise, once you are done outdoors, make sure that you throw your clothes into the washer and shower. This will get all of the allergens off of you and also keep you from spreading them throughout the house. Change your air filter in your furnace. Make sure that these air …

The excitement of the first full week back at school has now died down and many kids are once again dragging themselves out of bed, whining about homework and are generally reluctant to get back into the rhythm of the school schedule. Here are a few suggestions that may make life a bit easier. Make bedtime earlier. Many of us have the intention of getting the kids back to their "normal" bedtime the week before school starts. Some are able to make that happen and others like myself fall short of that goal each year. The key, experts say, is to get them into a routine that ensures they get …

Here are five more ways you can turn your child's lunch into a more healthy and nutritious experience. Serve fresh fruit with every lunch. The enzymes will aide in digestion, the natural sugar will give them energy and feed their sweet tooth, and the nutrients will feed their brains. Buy products with fewer ingredients, and less sugar and sodium. If the list of ingredients is long, don't buy it. If the list is short, and you know what each ingredient is and are willing to serve them separately on a plate to your child, then that product is a better choice. Limit the total sugar content of …

School time is here, and like many parents I find myself back to the grind of making my son lunch every morning. Some of you might moan and groan at the very thought, but a lot of good comes out of making lunch for your kids every day. Here are five tips on how you can make your child's lunch healthier: Water! Water! Water! Don't waste their calories on liquid sugar.  Avoid sugary flavored milks. Water is better.  Their lunch should contain whole grains for energy, protein from meats, cheese, beans or nuts for cell function and body movement, and fruit for fiber and digestion. Choose "whole" …

AJM Contractors will begin working on improvements to Main Street Thursday. Here's five things to know about the work: 1. The planned improvements include: repaving the street, building wider sidewalks and new curbs, planting new trees and creating drainage improvements. 2. The New Jersey Department of Transportation gave Wyckoff a $150,000 grant earlier this year, which is being used to pay for most of the work. 3. Sections of Main Street will be closed during the work, which will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays until November 1. There will be no work on evenings or weekends. 4. …

There are several events going on in Wyckoff today to honor the memory of the 11 local residents killed on Sept. 11, 2001. St. Elizabeth will be dedicating a 9/11 memorial which includes a piece of steel from the World Trade Center after the regular 10:30 a.m. mass today. The Wyckoff Township Committee will hold their ceremony at the Memorial Town Hall side yard at 5 p.m. The town will be dedicating a new tree in the memory of the victims. At 6:30, the Wyckoff Fire Department will also host a 9/11 service at Company 1, located behind Memorial Town Hall. Wyckoff Firefighter Dana Hannon was …

With the heavy rain brought by Hurricane Irene and more recent storms, area residents are dealing with flood damage and the problems associated with it, including mold. The Environmental Protection Agency offers advice to homeowners on removing mold from their homes. Use a detergent and water to "scrub thoroughly" and remove mold from any contaminated surface. The EPA says to let areas completely dry once they have been cleaned. Items like carpets and ceiling tiles should generally be thrown out as it is impossible to remove mold from most porous substances. Don't think about simply painting …

With school opening for the new year today, Wyckoff Police have released reminders for drivers: 1. Drivers should observe the speed limit. All roads in Wyckoff have a speed limit of 25 mph unless otherwise posted. 2. Never drive past a school bus with flashing lights. 3. New Jersey law requires that drivers stop for pedestrians. Drivers should also obey directions from crossing guards. 4. Wyckoff Public Works staff recently repainted road safety markings, including crosswalks and stop lines. It is important to always obey these markings and drive with caution. 5. Drivers should plan extra …

A recent poll conducted by online pet retailer MrChewy.com found that the majority of pet owners are unaware of some of the most dangerous summer foods for family pets. In fact, among 913 pet owners polled, a staggering 88 percent were unaware of the risk that lemons pose to both cats and dogs.  The survey also named the top five most popular summer foods that pose health risks to dogs and cats. Avocados You make think Spot loves yummy summer guacamole as much as you do but in fact avocados are toxic to dogs. According to the ASPCA’s website, all parts of the avocado, including the pit and …

It's Labor Day, the unofficial end to the summer season. Swim clubs and beach houses are closing as children return to school. Here are five fun facts about Labor Day. The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City back on Tuesday Sept. 5, 1882. The event was organized by the Central Labor Union, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. More than 10,000 workers marched in the first Labor Day parade, protesting 16 hour workdays and were fighting to have an eight-hour workday. In 1884, the holiday began to be observed on the first Monday of September as the Central Labor Union encouraged…

Friday, the IRS shared its five top tax tips for taxpayers who make charitable donations. Here are another five to guide you when helping your favorite non-profit. Pledges and payments Only contributions actually made during the tax year are deductible. For example, if you pledged $500 in September but paid the charity only $200 by Dec. 31, you can only deduct $200. Donations made near the end of the year Include credit card charges and payments by check in the year you give them to the charity, even though you may not pay the credit card bill or have your bank account debited until the next …