There will be no regular story time programs the week of May 3-5. There will also be no Family Story Time the next Tuesday May 10th. Family Story Time will resume May 17th at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Toddler Time resumes on Wednesday May 11th at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursday May 12th at 10:30 a.m. and Baby Lap Sit on Thursday May 12th at 9:30. For full details on this and other programs, see the Bridgewater Library Online Calendar.Note: There will be no children’s programs at Bridgewater Library Saturday May 14th and Saturday May 28th -- but you can attend programs at any of our NINE member libraries any time! Just click on the “Events/Programs” tab at the top of our home page (or on the right side of our children’s home page) for complete schedules and information.
Mothers’ Day Craft (Ages 2 - 10) Monday May 2, 2011 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Give your Mom a great big kiss and make her something wonderful! We’ll have the craft supplies but feel free to bring any photos or special decorations from home. Registration Required. 
Celebrate Arbor Day (recommended for ages 4 and up) Saturday May 7, 2011 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Did you know that Bridgewater is a Tree City USA? For over 135 years Arbor Day has been set aside as a special day to recognize the importance of trees and the difference they make in our lives. The Bridgewater Shade Tree Board will help us celebrate all that's terrific about trees with stories and activities. Registration Required 
Talk It Up (Limited to grades 5 - 8) If you love to read and talk about books, you are cordially invited to an hour of book talk and friendly company. Parents and parent substitutes are welcome to join in the discussion. Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix Tuesday, May 17 from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
New York City, 1910, Bella, newly arrived from Italy and desperate to send money home to her family, is one of the hundreds of workers at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory who endure grueling conditions and brutal labor for meager wages. Yetta, a Russian immigrant who also works at the Triangle factory, is an outspoken advocate for labor rights. Jane, a society girl unhappy with the stifling limits of her existence, gets involved with their cause. As the lives of the three girls become intertwined, all are in the factory the fateful day of the fire which becomes one of the worst workplace disasters ever. Registration Required
Celebrate Me!! (For ages 3 - 9) Saturday May 21, 2011 10:30 to 11:30 AM We'll share the book 'I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!' then create our own colorful self-portraits! Registration begins May 6.
Rocket Readers (Limited to grades 1-3) Tuesday May 24, 2011 4:30 to 5:30 PM An exciting program for brand new readers! At each program we will discuss a book, play some games or create a “book-tiful” craft related to the story. Students should read the book prior to the program. Copies of the book will be available at the Youth Services Reference Desk. Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel When Frog is unhappy, who is there to cheer him up? Toad! When Toad is sick, who brings him tea? Frog of course! Frog and Toad share five short stories of friendship to which everyone can relate. Registration begins May 10
For Teens:
Forms MUST be returned in person to the library by April 30th – NO LATE FORMS will be accepted!
Volunteer Opportunities (For students in grades 5 - 6) Attention students in grades 5 and 6, here is your opportunity to make a difference by volunteering at the library. Wednesday April 20, 2011 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Volunteer hours will be limited to the above listed date and time. Registration required.
In the mood for Little League? Check out our Batter Up! Great Books about Baseball display atop the magazine section. We also have books for Easter, Passover, and Earth Day atop the holidays section.Around the Community:
RACE TO NOWHERE – APRIL 28, 2011 7:00 PM Bernardsville Performing Arts Center25 Olcott Avenue, Bernardsville, NJ $10 in advance or $15 at the door Click Here to Order Tickets Race to Nowhere is a call to action for families, educators, and policy makers to challenge current assumptions on how to best prepare the youth of America to become healthy, bright, contributing and leading citizens. Sponsored by The Somerset Hills School District and the Bedminster PTO, this movie has been talked about all over the news. So much to do this weekend – it is hard to choose!
Room on the Broom Tall Stories Sat., Apr. 30 at 1PM & 3:30PM The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick — until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. A helpful dog, bird and frog find the witch’s lost things, and they all hop on the broom for a ride. Will there be room on the broom for everyone? Where: RVCC Theatre, Branchburg When: 1 pm & 3:30 pm Who: Ages 4+ Visit RVCC online to reserve tickets Cost: $10-12
Saturday April 30th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. rain or shine. A full day of discovery awaits visitors of all ages at the Busch, College Avenue, and Cook/Douglass campuses at this year’s Rutgers Day. There are scientific, musical, cultural, international, agricultural and many other areas of interest. Click here for more information. 
The Children’s Museum’s last program of this Spring is an Earth Day Celebration takes place on Saturday April 30th from 1 to 4 PM in The PeopleCare Center, 120 Finderne Ave., Bridgewater. Suggested donation is $3 per child. No registration is required. For more info., call 908-595-0001 or www.childrensmuseumnj.org. or
GO GREEN & CELEBRATE EARTH DAY IN MORRIS COUNTY
SPEND THIS SATURDAY WITH DINOSAURS!
DINO FAMILY DAY FESTIVAL WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 11 AM – 4 PM
WHERE: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown
TICKETS: Free with museum admission: ($7/child, $10/adult)
Attend the grand opening of the new permanent exhibition, Digging Dinosaurs! Learn all about the lives of dinosaurs, featuring Hadrosaurus foulkii—the New Jersey State Dinosaur!
See Live Performances in the theater at11:30 AM and 1:30 PM
Travel with Dino Man as he takes his giant inflatable “dinosaurs” on a prehistoric adventure. Appropriate for all ages.
Activities all day:
- Search for fossils in the dinosaur dig pit
- Climb inside a model of a dinosaur nest
- Touch an authentic hadrosaur egg
- Reconstruct a dinosaur skeleton
- Create a dinosaur puppet to take home
- Examine real amber in the Fossil Lab
- Check out dinosaur dung
- Follow dinosaur footprints throughout the exhibition
- Play “Feed the T. Rex”
- Make a fossil footprint rubbing
- Learn how to walk like a dinosaur
- Play the “Dinosaur Name Game”: create a new species of dinosaur
To celebrate the opening of the museum’s dinosaur exhibition, all museum members (and new members) who arrive at Dino Day before 1 PM will receive a free dinosaur souvenir for each child under 10.
E-mail programs@morrismuseum.org or call 973.971.3720 for more information.
Dinosaurs x2 – a Sunday Dinosaur Day as well!
FAMILY FUN @ A NEWARK “JURASSIC PARK” DAY
WHERE: Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark
5/1 BIG JEFF/CHILDREN'S CONCERT..at Farmstead Arts. Six foot, six inch singer song writer, "Big Jeff" DeSmedt will perform the first children's concert at Farmstead Arts on May 1. Jeff's blend of humor, learning and "super-interactive" audience participation has been captivating young audiences across the New York Metropolitan area. Sunday, May 1st 2:30 - 3:30 PM. Children and seniors: $10, adults $20, children under 6, $5. Purchase tickets on line at www.farmsteadbigjeff.eventbrite.com. Farmstead Arts, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge. More info: www.farmsteadartscenter.org or call 1-347-927-8748 (1-347-9ARTS4U) PUPPETS EXAMINE LIFE CYCLE OF MONARCH BUTTERFLY
WHEN: Sunday, May 1, 2 PM WHERE: South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way (behind train station), South Orange
Hudson Vagabond Puppets, known for larger-than-life puppetry and masks, examines the life cycle of the monarch butterfly, following the amazing metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar to adult butterfly, culminating in an incredible 1,500-mile round trip journey to Mexico.
Each stage of the journey is brought to life by giant puppets, song and dance. Beautiful scrolling scenery helps make this scientific foray enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Click here for more information.
Additional Upcoming programs:
RVCC Theater – Sampler Program
Pero or the Mysteries of the Night Speeltheater Holland Thu., May 12 at 7PM Fri., May 13 at 7PM Sat., May 14 at 1PM & 3:30PM Ages: 6 & up Shy Pero, a baker, closes his shop and stops making bread. Why? Because he has a broken heart. His childhood sweetheart has run away with a flashy housepainter. Puppets, performers, singers and musicians tell this charming, merry and mischievous tale. Visit RVCC online to reserve tickets Cost: $12 
If you’ve come to Carol Levin’s storytimes at Bridgewater Library, you’ve probably heard some of the many songs of this talented singer-songwriter. Here’s an opportunity to see him in person!Tom Chapin & Friends Sun., May 15 at 1PM & 3:30PM Come see the man Parenting Magazine honors with the title of the “Pied Piper of Children’s Music!” and whose music spans a variety of styles and generations. Tom Chapin engages hearts, minds and imaginations with clever lyrics and earth-friendly messages! Visit RVCC online to reserve tickets Cost: $10-12
STAR SHOWS & LASER CONCERTS:
RVCC Planetarium, Branchburg All shows run approximately 40 minutes. Admission:$6 for one show, $11 for two shows on the same day Call 908-231-8805 for reservations. The Problem with Pluto Saturdays, May 7, 14, 21, 3:00 p.m. Follow Lucy on her trip through the solar system as she gathers data on Pluto’s status as a planet. Discover current information about the planets and investigate where Pluto belongs in the overall structure of the solar system. This program is paired with a brief tour of the current night sky. (Recommended for ages 7-12 accompanied by an adult)
Storybooks in Space Sunday, May 15, 2:00 p.m. Join us for a new programs for our younger visitors. Pages from children’s books float among the stars today. We’ll share stories and learn about the stars and planets too. (Recommended for ages 4-10 accompanied by an adult)
Sky Lights Sunday, May 15, 3:00 p.m. A laser and video concert featuring songs by Mr. RAY and Jane Murphy. (Recommended for ages 4-8 accompanied by an adult)
Art for Families at the Princeton Art Museum
(most Saturday Mornings, see calendar for upcoming programs.)
Communiversity 04/30/11 12:00 - 5:00 pm Plan to spend part of your day with us at the Princeton University Art Museum’s presentation booths. We will have fun educational craft activities for children (always free).
Exploring Sculpture 05/07/11 10:30 am - 1:00 pm Sculpture: Another Look 05/14/11 10:30 am - 1:00 pm Join us on Saturday mornings for family fun in the Art Museum. Drop in anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and enjoy a self-guided, interactive tour followed by a related art project. Each week has a different theme. Come for fifteen minutes or two hours--whatever your schedule allows. All ages are welcome. No tickets or reservations needed.
Family Day: A Passport to Art 05/21/11 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Join us for a day of travel and adventure at the Art Museum. Grab your passport and hop on board as we explore art through the ages and from around the world. Family Day offers hands on activities, live performances, storytelling, scavenger hunts and prizes. Pizza and refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
The first Sunday of every month at the Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunswick is a free day of admission, activities, tours, and fun for the whole family. Scavenger hunts are offered between 12:30 and 4:00 pm. Tours for children and adults are available at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm.
Holistic Moms Network of Somerset County, NJ Monthly Meeting May 10th 7-9 p.m. at the Bridgewater Library. Please join us for a viewing and group discussion of Davis Guggenheim's latest documentary "Waiting for Superman", in which he follows a handful of promising kids through a system that inhibits, rather than encourages, academic growth. In this Sundance Audience Award winner for Best Documentary, Guggenheim deftly examines the options to improve public education and provide America's teachers and students with the help they need Popcorn/Refreshments will be served! For more information email pmalangi@yahoo.com Thanks to njartsmaven.com for some of these listings.
Looking for more things to do? Check out the many Events Listings under the USEFUL LINKS FOR FAMILIES on the right side of our blog. Two very useful events consolidators for our area are Hillsborough Macaroni Kid & Warren Macaroni Kid.
Let Your Fingers Do MORE Walking:
Mixing in Math has lots of ideas for mixing math activities with fun!
Looking for some fun math-related ideas for Earth Day? – check these out.
Have your kids grow some flowers or plants to give a special woman in their lives on Mother's day (May 8, 2011). Measure how tall the plants over the next few weeks with Growing Plants. Their May calendar comes with a recording chart for the plant measurements.
Cinco de Mayo is on May 5th. Use this Cultural Calendar to make a calendar for a month in Mexico.
Later in the month, commemorate Memorial Day with a peaceful twist on the card game War: Capture Cards.
Two articles excerpted from Macaroni Kids:
Rebuilding The Food Pyramid
Last year, the United States Department of Agriculture released the updated 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The dietary guidelines are revised every five years and this year’s report has a very clear message: Make informed food choices, increase physical activity and maintain a healthy weight. Take a look at the Food Pyramid from www.mypyramid.gov to see the current recommendations.
Moms4Moms Movement -- Support Moms This Mother's Day
Did you know? There is one maternal death every 90 seconds. Pregnancy is the biggest killer of girls ages 15-19. For every woman who dies in childbirth, 20 more suffer from debilitating complications. We have the knowledge to prevent 90% of all maternal deaths. Moms4Moms asks: what if 1% of that $14.6 billion could be given to this cause?
Every Mother Counts is an advocacy and mobilization campaign to increase education and support for maternal and child health. Every Mother Counts seeks to engage new audiences to better understand the challenges and the solutions while encouraging them to take action to improve the lives of girls and women worldwide.
April is National Poetry Month. Take a look at 
Our display: 
Disney's Imagination Movers "in A Big Warehouse" Concert Tour comes to Morristown! Dance and sing along with your kids and Mover Dave, Mover Rich, Mover Scott, Mover Smitty, Nina, and Warehouse Mouse! Also, special guest Choo Choo Soul!
The Somerset County Parks Commission is offering free Junior Golf Clinics focusing on golf basics taught by Neshanic Valley Golf Course Learning Instructors. The free clinics are being presented in an effort to expose more junior golfers to the game and to help those who already play to improve their abilities and enjoyment. Optional discounted golf on the 9-hole Academy course will be available at the conclusion of each clinic for participants and parents/guardians. The free clinic is an opportunity for kids to determine whether golf is a sport for them.
RVCC is also offering quite a few Spring Break Classes for Kids (April 18-21st). Click