Something Special for the Holidays

 

Note: Bridgewater Library will be closed Friday December 24 through Sunday December 26 and Saturday and Sunday January 1-2.

@ the Library: Displays & Materials:

‘Tis the season for the mall to be open extra hours and for the airwaves to be blanketed with advertisements for plastic toys.  If the spirit of giving seems to be getting lost in the spirit of getting at your house, you may want to include a few of these books on your holiday reading list.  Whether the setting is Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali or Kwanzaa, the messages are universal and may help your children be more thankful for the things they have, more compassionate toward others less fortunate and more attuned to the spirit of the holidays.  (The list and the books mentioned are on display at the library.) 

We continue our display “Thanks & Giving” atop the magazine section with many craft and cook books with ideas that kids can use to make presents for friends & family.

Also, be sure to check out our Garden State Book Award nominees on display behind the reference desk and vote for your favorite titles.  Voting ends January 1st!

Let Your Fingers Do (More) Walking:

Wondering whether the new Narnia movie will be appropriate for your 10 year old?  How about Tron?   Commonsense Media provides detailed movie reviews and recommendations. 

Speaking of media…a photo of one of our young patrons took top billing in the favorite photos article on Bridgewater Patch.

They also had a very nice write-up (and more photos) of our recent program Characters at Play about the artist Keith Haring. 

@ the Library: Programs:

Spectacular Winter Craftacular

Saturday, December 18 at 10:00 am (For ages 3 - 6)   Registration required   Brrrr….it’s getting cold outside!  Come on in and make a craft to celebrate the coming of winter!


Retro Game Night  For all ages – Families welcome!

Monday, December 20 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm   No registration required  It’s a blast from the past!  Come to our Retro Game Night  and play video games from the last 30 years!!



Celebration Sing! (For families with children of all ages) Tuesday, December 21 at 10:00 am   No registration required   Get ready for holiday celebrations with song!


 
Home for the Holidays Stories and craft! (For families with children of all ages) Monday, December 27 at 10:30 am  Hey kids!  Bring your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles… all those relatives who are “home for the holidays,” to your library and share a story and make a special 'treasure box'.  Please bring a  box (shoe or shirt size) to decorate. Registration Required.


Ramona and Beezus (Rated G) (Recommended for families with children 5 and up) Wednesday December 29 at 1:00 pm. Join Ramona Quimby and her older sister Beatrice (unfortunately nicknamed Beezus) as Ramona embarks on a quest to find a new job for her father. Of course like in any Beverly Cleary book, things do not work out as planned!  No registration required.






Celebrate New Year’s Eve, Eve! (For ages 3 and up) Thursday, December 30 from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm.  That’s right! We’re having a New Year’s Eve party on December 30, one day before the big night, complete with a countdown to NOON! Join us for crafts, stories, and New Year’s Eve Eve revelry!  Registration begins December 16.
 

Around the Community:

FOUR CHANCES TO SEE “THE NUTCRACKER” IN NEW BRUNSWICK

State Theatre presents American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker
WHEN: Saturday, December 18, at 1 PM and 4:30 PM, Sunday, December 19,  at 1 PM and 4:30 PM
WHERE: State Theatre, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick
TICKETS: $57, $52, $42, $32
Ticket Office: 732.246.SHOW (7469)
State Theatre presents American Repertory Ballet’s The Nutcracker for four performances. This classic family holiday ballet stars the professional artists of American Repertory Ballet (ARB) and students from ARB’s Princeton Ballet School. This performance also includes a live orchestra.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL original musical adaptation by Philip Wm McKinley and Suzanne Buhrer is playing in Chatham  Dec  17 and 18 at 8pm and Dec 18 and 19 at 3pm (2010)
In this version, produced exclusively at the Chatham Playhouse since 1988, Dickens serves not only as narrator, but also as a character that befriends Scrooge and walks beside him during his life-changing journey through memories and premonitions. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge has become one of the most beloved of all holiday tales.

A VISION OF CHRISTMAS @ McCARTER THEATRE

WHEN: December 5–24; Tuesday - Friday 7:30 PM; Saturday 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM;
Sunday 1:00 PM & 5:30 PM; Dec 24 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM
WHERE: McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton
609.258.ARTS(2787)
Celebrate the season with McCarter's critically acclaimed production of Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his magical journey through Christmas past, present and future, and experience the show that embodies the peace and goodwill of the season. The perennial favorite The New York Times calls "A Must-See."

For those of you who like Holiday/Christmas Light Displays, this is not too far from here...

From the Hunterdon County Democrat:

More than 75,000 lights, 20 buildings at Christmas City display in Readington Twp.

Darren Pieper, creator of the Christmas City light display at his home here, said the display went under its largest construction project ever this year.
It will open Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. The Pieper family has created a town village out of the multiple buildings and sheds located on the property at 1064 Route 523 that visitors can drive or walk through.
The North Pole town village starts off with a large North Pole palace built out of the three-bay garage on the property, followed by a village of sheds turned into a town totaling over 20 houses and “store fronts” decorated in lights.
Other parts of the display consist of Candy land with a ginger bread house, lighted 45-foot Golden Gate bridge, and an ice rink with Frosty the snowman.
Visitors are welcome to drive around the display or park and walk around it. The display will be lit from 5 to 10 p.m. on weekends, 9 p.m. weekdays up until Christmas Eve, then until 11 p.m. through Jan. 2.  The Piepers will be hosting an open house on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m., and visitors will be able to go inside their house to enjoy all of their decorated Christmas Trees.
 

at the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge

190 Lord Stirling Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ • 908 766-2489
Winter arrives in December and The Environmental Education Center will be celebrating all month! Lots of new programs have been added to the list of the many standard programs.     Note: a link to the EEC schedule of events is located in the “Useful Links for Families” at the top right side of the blog. Plan ahead for the new year – check out their January classes as well!

Frosty Footprints  (Ages 4-6) Thursday, December 16  4:00pm-5:30pm Animals leave behind clues that are fun to follow, especially in the snow and frosty dirt! Bundle up and we will head out to find evidence that animals are still busy, even in winter, then come in to get warm and do a footprint-y craft.
$9 per person  Course Code: 51033

Reindeer Games  (Ages 7-9) Thursday, December 16 4:00pm-5:30pm
Learn about the magnificent creature called a Reindeer. We will look at the life cycle and habitat of reindeer. We will play reindeer games to help you understand what it would be like to be a reindeer. We will also create a reindeer craft or two to take home.  $9 per person  Course Code: 51320

Penguin Party (Ages infant-3 with parent) Friday, December 17 10:30am-11:30am  Chilly Willy is one cool guy! Did you know that some penguins live close to the equator? Come learn all about the many different types of penguins, where they live, what they eat, and much more!
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child  Course Code: 51032

Fantastic Fibers - NEW! (Family and Friends ages 8 and older) Saturday, December 18 2:00pm-3:30pm Join a Naturalist and learn how animals keep warm and dry. Samples of a variety of ‘wooly ones’ fur - sheep, llama, and alpaca - will be available to feel, to look at under the microscope, and to test for weather resistance. Historical fiber usage will be discussed. The craft will involve an introduction to knitting and weaving. Participants will be contacted one week prior about materials (knitting needles and yarn) to bring to class.  $9 per person Course Code: 51610

Snowy Owls - NEW! (Ages 4-6) Sunday, December 19 2:30pm-4:00pm
Winter is a great time to learn about owls! Many of our resident owls are active this time of year, while many unusual owls may stop by for a visit. Snowy owls and Great-horned owls, Barred owls to Barn owls…this program will cover it all. The sky is our limit!  $9 per person Course Code: 51622

Winter Constellations - NEW!  (Family and Friends) Sunday, December 19 6:00pm-7:00pm  Star light, star bright especially on a winter’s night! Bundle up and head out to view the winter constellations and other cosmic bodies. Myths about the stars and their arrangement will be told as we look through binoculars to view the sky. Hot chocolate will be served to warm you at the end of the program. Class will be moved inside if cloudy.  $6 per person Course Code: 51625

Nature Hikes for Tykes Series I (Ages 2-3 with parent) Monday, December 20  “Forever Greens” 10:30am-11:30am  It is never too early to begin exploring nature. Bring your tyke for a hike and activities that focus on using the five senses. All classes will consist of a themed hike, craft, and hands-on activities.
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child  Course Code: 51413

Ice Cold Art - NEW!  (Ages 3-5 with parent) Tuesday, December 21 10:30am-11:30am  It’s water, it’s vapor, it’s ICE! Brrrr! Ice may be surrounding us this winter, so why not discover creative ways to play with ice! We may build an igloo or water paint with ice cubes. The possibilities are frostastic!  $12 per pair/$6 per additional child  Course Code: 51616

Winter Solstice Walk (Family and Friends) Tuesday, December 21 4:00pm-5:30pm Join a Naturalist for a walk in the swamp on the shortest day of the year. As twilight falls and the full moon rises, we will search the night for animal activity.  $8 per person  Course Code: 51377

Snow - NEW!  (Ages 4-6) Wednesday, December 22 4:00pm-5:30pm
No two are alike, like zebras and fingerprints, snowflakes are all unique. We will hope for a blanket of white, as we look at all things snowy. Join a Naturalist for a story and a craft about this flaky subject.
$9 per person  Course Code: 51635

Winter Survival - NEW! (Ages 7-9) Wednesday, December 22 4:00pm-5:30pm  Learn the basic skill of survival in the out-of-doors in the winter time. Find the warmest places outside in the swamp, learn to set up a tarp, and help make hot chocolate in the cold.  $9 per person Course Code: 51605

Holiday Colors - NEW!  (Ages 3-5 with parent) Monday, December 27 10:30am-11:30am  Green, red, blue, and white; these colors are all around us, especially this time of year! Go on a color hunt, observe natural objects that match these colors, and make a colorful craft!
$10 per pair/$5 per additional child  Course Code: 51617

Winter Marshmullers (Ages 4-6) Tuesday, December 28– Thursday, December 30 9:30am-11:30am  Winter holds mysteries that are ready to be explored. Dress your little ones warmly, as we will be taking expeditions to the forest, field or pond in order to discover how winter is alive. Each day will have craft projects, games, stories, and snacks to keep us busy. We hope this program will inspire a respect for the natural world.  $40 per person Course Code: 51314

Follow the Winter Whifflepoof - NEW! (Ages 7-9) Thursday, December 30 9:30am-11:30am  Learn how Native Americans tracked things in the middle of winter! You will play a trail game that teaches tracking and observation skills, learn a bit about the Native Americans in this area, and hear some neat stories. A small snack will be offered.  $10 per person  Course Code: 51600
 
BEAT CABIN FEVER WITH THE KIDS @ MORRIS MUSEUM
Morris Museum Holiday Week   Family Festival, Model Trains and Children’s Programs
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 31
WHERE: The Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road (at the corner of Columbia Turnpike) in Morristown
Winter Wonderland Family Festival
Monday, December 27, 11 AM – 4 PM
COST: $10/adult, $7/child
Drop in anytime for holiday craft activities. See two special holiday exhibitions :

• Model Trains: Children and families are sure to be delighted by the Tri-State Railway Historical Society’s 30 foot long model train display, which will be running in the Main Gallery from Dec. 13, 2010 – Jan. 3, 2011. A member of the Society will be on hand every day to answer your questions about trains and railroad history. For additional model train fun, museum visitors can enjoy the Morris Museum’s permanent model railroad exhibition.
  
• Home for the Holidays, on view from Dec. 18, 2010 – Jan. 3, 2011: a holiday-themed exhibition of dollhouses, nutcrackers, and holiday cards from the Morris Museum collection and private lenders.

Michael DuBois, Acclaimed Circus Performer Tuesday, December 28, Performances at 12:30 & 2:30 PM TICKETS: $10 Box Office 973.971.3706 or www.bickfordtheatre.org Michael DuBois will perform amazing circus stunts, involving the audience in everything from juggling seven balls to mind-reading and unicycling. Art in Motion with In Motion Dance Company of Chester, NJ. Wednesday, December 29, 12 & 2 PM $5/child plus museum admission ($10 adult/$7/child) Enjoy a performance by In Motion, and then come on stage to move, shake and dance with company dancers. Space is limited. Pre registration is not required. For more information, please call 973.971.3718. Holiday Craft Activities Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 973.971.3718 Make a Dapper Penguin Finger Puppet Thursday, December 30, 12 – 2 PM $5/child plus museum admission ($10 adult/$7/child) Create a Sparkling New Year’s Eve Ball Decoration Friday, December 31, 12 – 2 PM $5/child plus museum admission ($10 adult/$7/child) Admission to the museum is $10 for adults and $7 for children, students and senior citizens. Admission is free for museum members and is free to the public every Thursday between 5 and 8 p.m. The museum will be closed December 24, 25 & 26, 2010 and January 1, 2011. For more information, call 973.971.3700, or visit www.morrismuseum.org.

HOLIDAY DOINGS @ THE NEWARK MUSEUM

For Kids and Families Drop-in Art Activities Saturdays and Sundays, 1–4 PM December: Caught Red-Handed Visit the new gallery installation Red Luster: Lacquer and Leatherworks of Asia, then create your own decorative box using techniques of leatherwork. Kwanzaa Candle lighting Ceremony Wednesday, December 29, 2–4 PM Join us for a Kwanzaa candle lighting ceremony, workshop and tours of the Museum's African Collection as we celebrate the joys of family, community and culture.
Planetarium HOLIDAY FUN DAYS December 26–31
Looking Ahead Circus Science Saturday & Sunday, February 12 & 13

CALLING ALL BUDDING PLAYWRIGHTS: A COMPETITION FOR YOU!

The Theater Project’s 9^th Annual Young Playwrights Competition
Now Seeking Submissions from NJ High School Student Playwrights

Open to all secondary school students, ages 13 to 18, in New Jersey, the competition seeks original works only, no adaptations.  All submissions must be at least 10 but no more than 30 pages typed in play format, and all entrants must be New Jersey residents in secondary schools (ages 13 to 18). Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2011.
The winning scripts will be performed in March 2011 by The Theater Project during the state-wide Family Week at the Theater celebration of theater and New Jersey’s youth. Monetary prizes and certificates will be awarded at that time to all winning authors. First place will receive a $600 savings bond, second place will receive a $400 savings bond and third place will receive a $200 savings bond.
The goal of the Young Playwrights' Competition is to encourage the next generation of theater practitioners and audience by honoring their work and bringing it to life. The competition was inspired by a generous donation from Linden resident Bill Mesce, Jr., an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, whose recent novel The Advocate was published by Bantam Books.
How to Enter: By January 31, 2011, please submit a 10-30 page script to The Theater Project, Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ, 07016 or e-mail to TheaterProject@aol.com. All entries must include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope), a biography of the author including contact information, and the $5 entrance fee (check or money order, payable to THE THEATER PROJECT) which can be sent via snail mail for e-mailed scripts. Only one entry per author. Please remember that you must be a resident of New Jersey and a secondary school student in the 2010- 2011 academic year to be eligible.
All questions can be directed to The Theater Project at 908.659.5189 or by e-mail at THEATERPROJECT@aol.com.