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When the kingdom’s most wanted – and most charming- bandit Flynn Rider hides out in a mysterious tower, he’s taken hostage by Rapunzel, a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair.
REDUCE**REUSE**RECYCLE! -- Join us as we celebrate Earth Day by making new things out of old materials....our only limit is our imagination (and the materials we have on hand)! Please bring in (clean) cardboard food boxes, bottle caps, yogurt containers, old DVDs, clean styrofoam trays, paper towel rolls -- and anything else you can think of to share with the group as our building materials -- then we'll see what we create!
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Tuesday April 26, 2011 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM 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. Extra Credit by Andrew Clements. A forced pen-pal exchange turns into friendship between Illinois sixth-grader Abby Carson and Sadeed Bayat, the best English-language student in his Afghan village. When Abby's first letter arrives in Bahar-Lan, 11-year-old Sadeed is asked by the elders to compose his sister Amira's reply since it isn't proper for a boy and girl to correspond with one another. But soon Sadeed can't resist telling Abby that it is he who has been writing to her.
And don’t forget – you can attend programs at any of our NINE member libraries – 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 schedules and information.
For Teens:
Mark your calendars – Registration for teen summer volunteers will run from April 1st-30th. You can print a form by selecting the “volunteers” tab on left side of the teen home pages.
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.
@ the Library – Displays & Activities:April gets into full swing this month with several new displays:
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Teens, there is still time to enter your poems for publication in our Annual Teen Poetry Compilation. Stop by the Youth Services Reference Desk for more information.
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April is also Autism Awareness Month – check out the books in our Parent – Teacher display area.
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Incidentally, if your child is upset about the news from Japan (or Egypt, Libya, or anywhere else!), check out the article “How to Ease your Child's Disaster Anxiety” from Macaroni Kid Safety.
Around the Community:
4/16 PUPPET ADVENTURES AT 4-H.
Children in Grades K- 5 are invited to participate in 3 workshops creating various kinds of puppets and puppetry techniques used for presentations. COST: $15.00 per child for all 3 workshops, includes all materials. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are free. 9:00 - 12:15, registration required. Then at 1:00 - 3:00 The "Puppet Potpourri Extravaganza" All ages are invited for this live presentation brought to you by the Garden State Puppetry Guild and the Somerset County Pretty Cool 4-H Puppetry Club. COST: FREE for all!! Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Ted Blum 4-H Center, 310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, 908-526-6644. www.4HisTops.org
JOIN THE WORLD’S LARGEST CHORUS LINE THIS SATURDAY
WORLD'S LARGEST CHORUS LINE FACT SHEET
Don't forget to join NJPAC this Saturday morning at The Shops at Riverside
Help them Break the Record for theWorld's Largest Chorus Line!
Park and enter at the Maggiano's entrance to register Saturday, April 16 at 10:00 AM
WHERE:The Shops at Riverside (Lower Level), 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? All ages 5 and up, following a very simple 5-minute routine --children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
WHAT DO I GET?
- Light refreshments
- Goodie bag full of great stuff!
- 20% off tickets to select performances of A Chorus Line at NJPAC, April 26-May 1
- Automatic eligibility for free giveaways
- Free parking in the mall parking lot
- Denim jeans
- White shirt (T-shirt, blouse, polo shirt, etc.), please do not wear any logos/artwork on your shirts
- You can learn the simple dance routine by watching the instructional video on NJPAC’s YouTube page:www.youtube.com/njpactv
- You can also find the song “One” from A Chorus Line on njpactv
LAST CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE BARD FAMILY STYLE
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The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Shakespeare LIVE! Educational Touring Company presents Family Matinees at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre
WHEN: This Saturday, April 16
- 11:00 AM: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
- 2:00 PM: JULIUS CAESAR
(one free children’s ticket with each $15 adult ticket)
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RVCC Planetarium, Branchburg When: 3:00 PM Who: Ages 6-12 Also, Saturdays except April 23rd: The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket Saturdays, April 2, 9, 19, 30, 3 p.m.
Travel with two adventurous youngsters in their cardboard rocket as they explore the Sun and the planets of the solar system. This show is designed to encourage the use of libraries, enhance language skills and develop individual imagination. (recommended for ages 6-12accompanied by an adult)
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Saturday, April 16 - The Berenstain Bears in Family Matters There's trouble in the treehouse ... Brother hides his bad quiz in the cookie jar. Sister befriends a frog and hides it in the cookie jar. Papa hides the wrapper from a forbidden candy in the cookie jar... It's up to Mama to sort things out! Where: RVCC Theatre, Branchburg When: 1 pm & 3:30 pm Who: Ages 4+ How: Visit RVCC online to reserve tickets Cost: $12
Saturday April 16 & Sunday April 17 Revolutionary Times Weekend
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EXPERIENCE MARTIAL ARTS @ THE NEWARK MUSEUM WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!
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WHERE: The Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark ADMISSION: Free
Thursday, April 21 - Imagination Movers in Concert
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Where: The Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ, 07960.1:30 PM & 4:30pm) Tickets available on the Mayo Center website at www.mayoarts.org. Prices range from $25 to $40.For more info: Go to www.imaginationmovers.comSaturday, April 23 - Junior Golf Clinic
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.
Neshanic Valley Golf Course Learning Center, 2301 South Branch Road, Branchburg 08853.1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Clinics are every Saturday in April) Who: Ages 13-17. How: Call the Neshanic Valley Learning Center at 908-369-8232 Cost: Free.For more info: Go to www.somersetcountyparks.orgor call 908-369-8232.
Planning on sticking around for Spring Vacation? – check out these (relatively) local possibilities:
IDEAS FOR YOUR SPRING STAY-CATION:
- My, what big teeth you have! The Digging Dinosaur Exhibit opens at the Morris Museum. (The Morris Museum has Super Science Saturdays and other programs for children as well.)
- The Touch Tunnel is back at the Liberty Science Center! See how long it takes to navigate the pitch-black maze without using your eyes.
- If the kids are bouncing around the house out of boredom, then take them to indoor play zone like Kid Junction in Branchburg. The Open Play option makes it easy to drop in when you just can't stay in the house any longer!
- Did you know there's a zoo right in the middle of NJ? The Animal Kingdom Zoo in Bordentown houses an extensive wild animal collection--some of which are endangered. Teach your kids the importance of preserving the environment while they visit with their favorite animals.
- Head on down to The Adventure Aquarium in Camden for the wildly popular Spring break event, Button's Birthday Bash. Party with Fisher Price's Little PeopleTM. Marvel at circus performers, and watch as Button the 3,000 lb. hippo devours a watermelon cake with vegetable decorations.
- The Princeton Art Museum has a self-guided tour, The Writings is on the Wall, with activities for families to do together. Introduce your kids to the world of art or let their creative juices flow with thoughtful discussion and interaction.
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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:
Screen-Free Week is April 18-24
Thanks For Helpful Information
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