It’s Friday the 13th but we’re still in luck–lots of things to do this coming week…

@ the Library – Programs:
(You can click on any program name to register)


Check out pictures from our Arbor Day Program in the Bridgewater Patch.

Family Story Time on  Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.   Toddler Time on Wednesdays  at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursdays  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.

Lego Club (For Grades K -6) Registration Required Tuesday May 17, 2011  4:30  to 5:30 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.)  Registration begins May 3 – please do not register pre-schoolers.


Clearing your bookshelves of unused books and media?  – The Friends of The Bridgewater Library will be accepting book sale donations in the lobby Thursday May 12th-Sunday May 15th.  They accept gently used books (hardcover & softcover), DVDs, CDs, videos and audio books.  PLEASE NO textbooks, magazines, moldy books or outdated encyclopedias.  The book sale will be held June 8th-June 11th.


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

@ the Library – Displays & Activities:

Check out our display honoring the contributions of our military service people and their families. We have an online booklist Families Together, Families Apart: Books and Internet Resources for Military Families. 


Did you know that your old 100% cotton jeans can be turned into quilts to comfort  Wounded Warriors?   Volunteers working with operationquietcomfort.com sew these into 3x5 quilts.  If you have 100% cotton jeans to donate, please email: pasovasz@aol.com.    Looking for other ways you can help the families of deployed military in our area?  Check out the website Joining Forces.
There is a new Parent-Teacher Display by the Early Reader shelves.  It has books and DVDs on "Positive Discipline."

Around the Community:

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

IT’S SHEEP SHEARING TIME @ COOPER GRISTMILL: FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

BORN TO BE SHORN at Cooper Gristmill in Chester NJ
WHEN: Saturday, May 14, 11 AM – 4 PM
WHERE: 66 Washington Tpke, Chester, or 50 CR-513, Chester


Meet the baby lambs and watch the hand- shearing of sheep. Families will enjoy seeing how fleece is processed and made into garments. They will also be able to participate with hands-on activities such as weaving and spinning and can make crafts to take home.
TICKETS: suggested donation is $3 adults, $2 seniors, and $1 children.
For tour availability and information, please call 908.879.5463 or visit www.morrisparks.net
You can find more events like this on NJ Arts Maven!


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.) 
Exploring Sculpture     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.

STNJ PRESENTS 2-DAY “SHAKESPERIENCE:NJ” STUDENT FESTIVAL      A Major Statewide  STUDENT SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL  Offered in partnership with the internationally acclaimed  Folger Shakespeare Library

WHEN:  May 16 and 17
WHERE: The Theatre’s Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will host teachers and students in grades 5 - 12 through from 15 schools across the state for the fifth annual Shakesperience:NJ – two days highlighting and celebrating the study of Shakespeare through performance. The initiative offers an opportunity for middle and high school students to spend an entire day sharing the excitement of Shakespeare as actors and audience members. Each group of students will appear on the Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre to present a 20-minute Shakespeare scene to an audience of their peers, teachers, parents and professional actors from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey who will serve as commentators and adjudicators.  
In addition to the student performances, each day will include entertaining educational interludes such as Shakespeare trivia games and swordplay demonstrations conducted by a Master of Revels and professional guest artists. For more information about Shakesperience:NJ, call 973.408.3980.
The 15 schools scheduled to participate in this year’s two-day Shakesperience:NJ festival are
MONDAY, MAY 16

• Faith Hope Love Academy, Kendall Park
  
• High Tech High School, North Bergen
  
• Kent Place School, Summit
  
• Lacordaire Academy, Montclair
  
• Madison High School
  
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Tenafly
  
• The Pennington School

TUESDAY, MAY 17

• Bloomfield High School
  
• Hamilton Preparatory Academy, Elizabeth
  
• Hillsborough Middle School
  
• Memorial High School, West New York
  
• Montville High School
  
• Orange Preparatory Academy, Orange
  
• Purnell School, Pottersville
  
• Trinity Christian School, Montville

Shakesperience:NJ is the product of a partnership between The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Rider University and the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. The Folger Festivals Project was launched in 1986 as a national outreach initiative to extend the reach of the Library’s teaching philosophy and to inspire student Shakespeare festivals across the nation. In 2007, the Shakespeare Theatre and Rider University were chosen by the Folger Shakespeare Library to establish the annual statewide festival in New Jersey. 

Shakesperience:NJ represents a step toward the creation of a national model for statewide student Shakespeare festivals based on the highly successful student Shakespeare festival at the Folger Shakespeare Library.  The institutions partnering to launch Shakesperience:NJ share a common mission of promoting the teaching of Shakespeare through performance, which has long been recognized to be the most effective and exciting way to introduce young people to Shakespeare’s plays. Performance-based instruction heightens student interest and increases creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Through numerous classes and workshops with teachers and students, this philosophy has been introduced in schools throughout the state. The creation of a statewide student festival is intended to showcase the results of this performance-based learning, and to encourage more schools and teachers to make performance a key component of the language arts classroom. 
  
CHILDREN’S CLASSIC COMES TO LIFE WITH MUSIC IN CLIFTON
NARNIA, The Musical Based on C.S. Lewis' time-honored classic, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Adapted by Jules Tasca    Music by Tom Tierney Lyrics by Ted Drachman Directed by ATC Artistic Director Kathleen Kellaigh Musical Director: Barry Spatz
WHEN: May 20 — 29, Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM. WHERE: School No. 3, 365 Washington Ave, Clifton TICKETS: $20/Adults, $15/Students & Seniors, $10 children under 12.
For additional information and to purchase tickets on-line visit our website www.theaterleagueofclifton.com or call 973.928.7668. (Please do not call the school).
Come along with four children as they open the door to a wardrobe, step in, push past the clothes—only to find themselves in a magical land. They have been transported into a fantastical place where animals speak and the White Witch has ruled it to be "always winter and never Christmas." But Aslan, a lion and true King of the land, returns after a long absence, bringing back the beauty of spring. Where are you? You are in NARNIA!
The original NYC production of NARNIA, in 1986, was produced by Ms. Kellaigh. This will be her fourth production of this enchanting show now with nearly 50 actors, singers and dancers bringing NARNIA to life.
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: 

Concerned about Food Allergies?  Check out this article on Peanut Allergies from Wonderopolis.org.

Why Can’t Some People Eat Peanuts?

You may think we’re nuts, but — believe it or not — some people might be allergic to today’s Wonder of the Day!
It is part of the “Wonder of the Day” series at the Wonderopolis website!  (We have a link under “Daily Wonder” in the Useful Websites for Families section of this blog.)    Each day they have a fascinating question for kids and adults alike.  Wonderopolis.org  is presented by the National Center for Family Literacy, a not-for-profit supporting literacy and reading for children and families.

 

Reaching the autism tipping point

Autism affects many, many more children than we thought, according to a study released this week that stunned experts around the world. Meanwhile, evidence keeps rolling in that exposure to pesticides and other chemicals is at least partly responsible for the epidemic.
Click here to read more.