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Friday, April 15, 2011

Celebrate Spring with movies, poetry, and more…

@ the Library – Programs:


There will be no regular story time programs the week of April 16-20. Family Story Time continues on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Toddler Time on Wednesdays at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and Baby Lap Sit on Thursdays at 9:30.  For full details on this and other programs, see the Bridgewater Library Online Calendar.

Monday at the Movies 'TANGLED'  Monday April 18, 2011  1:30 PM to 3:30 PM  (For families with children) No Registration Required 
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.




Lego Club (For Grades K - 2 only) Registration Required Wednesday April 20, 2011  1:30 PM to 2:30 PM    Lego Club (For grades 3-5 only) Registration Required.  Wednesday April 20, 2011 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM  Get together with other Lego-maniacs, share ideas and tips on building, and have a great time! Library Legos will be available for building.   (K-2 Parents and guardians, you are welcome to stay and build with your registered child.  However, due to the nature of the materials, if you plan to stay we ask you to please make other arrangements for siblings younger than Kindergarten age.)



Earth Day - Invention Convention! (For ages 5 - 11) Monday April 25, 2011  4:30 PM to 5:30 PM  Registration begins April 11.
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!


Rocket Readers (Limited to grades 1-3) Tuesday April 26, 2011  4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.  Registration begins April 12   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. Good Night Good Knight by Shelley Moore Thomas. The Good Knight is on his watch when he hears a sound. Roar! Is it a dragon? A great big dragon? He searches the woods and finds a surprise. Join us for a discussion and a craft.

Talk It Up (Limited to students in grades 5 - 8) Registration Required
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:
April is National Poetry Month.   Take a look at the poems & add your do-it-yourself creations to our Time to Rhyme poetry display on the bulletin board behind the reference desk – we have poems to illustrate, poetry starters and blank paper for your original creations – bring them to a librarian and we’ll be happy to post them!   Or check out Bruce Lansky’s funny poetry website gigglepoetry.com!


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. 


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.
logoGoing Green -- Looking for some fun math-related ideas for Earth Day? – check these out from Mixing in Math.


April is also Autism Awareness Month – check out the books in our Parent – Teacher display area.


Make Paper Cranes for JapanOur display: Keeping Japan in our Hearts & Minds continues on the back side of the Youth Services Reference Desk, along with 8.5x8.5 paper & origami crane instructions.  You can help Japan by making paper cranes. The Bezos Family Foundation is donating $2 for each crane received to Architecture for Humanity’s reconstruction efforts in Japan. The goal is 100,000 submissions, then the cranes will be woven into an art installation—a symbolic gift from youth worldwide to their Japanese peers.  For more information, see StudentsRebuild.org.   Deadline for cranes is Monday April 25th.
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 SHEETWorld's Largest Chorus Line
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
WHAT DO I WEAR?
  • Denim jeans
  • White shirt (T-shirt, blouse, polo shirt, etc.), please do not wear any logos/artwork on your shirts
HOW DO I LEARN THE DANCE STEPS AND SONG?
  • 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
KIDS GO FREE! Captivating Short Shakespeare for Families!
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
Video Previews available on our YouTube channel.
(one free children’s ticket with each $15 adult ticket)



ClickonImageforCreditInformation Art for Families at the Princeton Art Museum (most Saturday Mornings, see calendar for upcoming programs.)   Useful Art Sat. 4/16 10:30 am - 1:00 pm The Writing is On the Wall Sat 4/23 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 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. 


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.picture inside the planetarium 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) 

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
revolutionary timesThe Morris Museum is one of the participating sites in Morristown's Revolutionary Times Weekend. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., drop in anytime for Colonial crafts and games. Sunday, 2 p.m. screening of the film Morristown: Where America Survived.  Free with museum admission.


 
EXPERIENCE MARTIAL ARTS @ THE NEWARK MUSEUM WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!
Celebrate our feathered friends with family hands-on fun activites
WHERE: The Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark ADMISSION: Free


Thursday, April 21 - Imagination Movers in Concert
Imagination Movers: For Those About to HopDisney'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!
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.com
Saturday, 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:
If the kids are driving you nuts during the Spring vacation, here are some ideas to entertain them within driving distance of home. Click the links to get more information.
  • 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.
(Thanks to Ruth Ross at njartsmaven.com for these listings.)

Youth-Spring-Break-Programs-RVCC-SomersetCounty-NJRVCC is also offering quite a few Spring Break Classes for Kids (April 18-21st). Click here for details.





Rutgers Day 2011



Rutgers Day 2011  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.  Click here for more information.




clip_image002_thumb The Children’s Museum’s next program  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. More info is available at 908-595-0001 or www.childrensmuseumnj.org.

  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 Metropolian area. Sunday, 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)



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
Want to try to wean your family from constant media?  The Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood's annual Screen-Free Week is coming up April 18-24. One week, no screens -- for entertainment  (work, school, information-searching allowed.)    If your family is interested, check the Campaign’s link for more information.  And check out one mom's take on a media break from Commonsense Media (and remember, the library has lots of wonderful books for individual and family reading – including Lane Smith’s very clever picture book It’s a Book! – a hysterical look at the possibilities of this battery-free, non Wi-Fi device! 

Speaking of books,  Commonsense Media this week features a booklist on Raising a Kinder Kid – books that may encourage empathy in your children.  They also have some timely tips on Cyber bullying.

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