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Due to Hurricane Irene, we were unable to update the Bridgewater Youth Services Blog last week…hope all our area families are recovering.
If you need assistance in disaster recovery, check out the resources here: http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/additional_disaster_relief_infor.html
Also, Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville will be holding an emergency collection drive to help restock the SHIPmobile that helps the homeless in Somerset County. The collection dates are Saturday 9/17 after the 5PM mass and Sunday 9/18 after the 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM,
10:30AM, 12:00 noon, and 2 PM masses. The items they need most are:
PAPER PRODUCTS: plates, cold cups, hot cups, wax paper, sandwich bags,
lunch bags, paper towels.
PLASTIC PRODUCTS: forks, knives, soup spoons, large 40 gal. trash bags.
CONDIMENTS: ketchup, mayo, mustard, relish, salt, pepper.
BEVERAGES: coffee (1lb. cans/bags) tea, iced tea mix, juice.
FOOD ITEMS: peanut butter, jelly , canned ravioli, canned spaghetti, any
canned goods.
TOILETRIES: shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste.
CLOTHES: jeans, underwear, socks, tee shirts, mostly men's sizes 32-42.
The SHIP Mobile Unit serves the local community and has responded to disasters such as Hurricane Floyd and the World Trade Center. Sadly, they can add Hurricane Irene to that list.... SHIP908.com 908-393-9545
@ the Library:
Saturday September 10, 2011 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM(Suggested for Families with children 3+)
**No Registration Required**
Summer is nearly over and school is already underway - what better way to celebrate than with a Back-to-School concert! Join Kurt Gallagher for a silly Saturday morning and kick the school year off in celebration and fun as you clap your hands, stomp your feet, and sing along! Registration for this program is not required, but a smile is! So bring yours on September 10th and be prepared for a fantastic time!
Sing Along -- School Daze
Monday September 12, 2011 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM—Come to either session. (Suggested for families with children of all ages)
Bid farewell to summer and hello to a new school year with these timely tunes. No registration required.
Weekly Storytimes Return Starting on Sept 13th:
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Family Story Time (ages 2-6) no registration required. Join us each week for stories, songs, fingerplays, and a short film. 
Wednesdays at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Toddler Time (18 mo.-3) no registration required. Clapping and singing, rhymes and books….introduce your toddler to the beginnings of story time!
Thursdays at 10:30 Baby Book Time (birth to 18 months) no registration required. Clap your hands and stamp your feet and let you baby feel the beat of stories, songs and rhymes.Lego Club Tuesday September 13, 2011 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM For Children in Grades K-6. Registration required.
Hey LEGO fans - Here's a club just for you! Get together with other LEGO-maniacs, share ideas and tips on building, and have a great time!Library LEGOS will be available for building, please do not bring your own.
Please Note: Parents are welcome to stay; however, younger siblings cannot be permitted to join this program.
Afterschool Special: 'Fly Away!' Monday September 19, 2011 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM grades 1-6.
Come with us as we hear the true-life stories of some amazing early pilots then make and fly our own paper airplanes.
Registration required.
Chapter Book Club Ivy + Bean Book 1 by Annie Barrows. Limited to Grades 3 & 4.September 21, 2011 4:30-5:30 Registration begins September 7th. Ivy and Bean are the most unlikely pair of friends on Pancake Court. Ivy wears dresses every day. Bean only wears dresses on special occasions. Ivy always has her nose in a book; Bean can never sit still. When Bean plays a mean trick on her sister, she finds unexpected support for her antics from Ivy, the new neighbor, who is less boring than Bean first suspected.
Autumn 'Craftacular' (Ages 3-8) Saturday September 24, 2011 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Welcome Autumn 'Craftacular!' Join us for a fall story and craft to welcome the season. Registration begins September 9th. 
Rocket Readers Tuesday September 27, 2011 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM For Grades 1-3 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.
This month's book:Today I Will Fly! by Mo Willems. While Piggie is determined to fly, Elephant is skeptical, but when Piggie gets a little help from others, amazing things happen. Join us to read and discuss the book, and a craft. Registration is required and begins on September 13th.
Want to see more of our Fall Schedule? Check out our September Bridgewater Library Online Calendar. Also, a reminder that Somerset County Library Cardholders can attend programs at any of our branches…check out their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page for more information.
@ the Library – for Teens:
School Year Volunteer applications for the First Session are now available! You can pick up a copy at the Youth Services desk or get one online on the Middle School/High School Volunteer page.The First Session will begin on Monday, September 19th and applications are available now and are due by 5 PM on Friday, September 9th. First Session: 9/19/11 to 1/27/12.
Second Session: 2/6/12 to 6/15/12. Applications will be available in December and are due by Friday, January 20, 5 PM.
Summer Volunteers 2012: A separate application will be available on Friday, March 30 and will be due by 9 PM on Monday, April 30.
A free practice test is one of the best ways to get ready for the real thing. By taking this practice test, you will learn exactly what to expect on test day and receive a complete individual analysis of your results. Don't forget a #2 pencil and calculator! A follow-up session to get your scores and have your questions answered by a Kaplan representative will be held on Monday, October 3 at 6:30 pm.
Talk It Up: 'Crunch' by Leslie Connor (for students entering grades 5-8) Tuesday September 20, 2011 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Registration Required Talk-It Up Book Discussion Group 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.
Dewey Marriss is stuck in the middle of a crunch. He never guessed that the gas pumps would run dry the same week he promised to manage the family's bicycle-repair business. Suddenly everyone needs a bike. And nobody wants to wait. Meanwhile, the crunch has stranded Dewey's parents far up north with an empty fuel tank and no way home. It's up to Dewey and his older sister, Lil, to look after their younger siblings and run the bike shop all on their own. Each day Dewey and his siblings feel their parents' absence more and more. The Marriss Bike Barn is busier than ever. And just when he is starting to feel crunched himself, Dewey discovers that bike parts are missing from the shop. He's sure he knows who's responsible-or does he? Will exposing the thief only make more trouble for Dewey and his siblings?
Teen Advisory Board Tuesday September 27, 2011 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM For students in Grade 6 – 12 **Registration required
Do you want to make a difference at your library? Do you have suggestions for programs, new books, movies, or video games? Then come to one of our upcoming T.A.B. meeting! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served!
Around the Community:
MEET, GREET YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR IN PRINCETON!
The 6th Annual Princeton Children’s Book Festival
WHEN: Saturday, September 10, from 11 AM-4 PM
WHERE: Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
The Princeton Children's Book Festival is an annual event each September at the Princeton Public Library and the Albert E. Hinds Memorial Plaza.
This well-attended event continues to grow yearly and promises something for everyone. Here you may meet your favorite author or illustrator, listen to them discuss their work, have a book autographed or just have the opportunity to talk to them about their inspiration.
From picture book authors and illustrators to children's fiction writers, live entertainment for children and their families and many activities throughout the afternoon, The Princeton Children's Book Festival is an event that should not be missed.
This event will feature over 60 talented and amazing, award winning authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult literature joining us for a fun-filled afternoon.
Artist and illustrator Sophie Blackall has created unique artwork for the Book Festival featuring the characters Ivy and Bean (above) from the series she illustrates. Sophie has also illustrated many other books and is the author and illustrator of Are You Awake?
Also attending:
- 2011 Pura Belpré award winning illustrator Eric Velasquez
- Bill Thomson (Chalk)
- John Bemelmans Marciano (Madeline)
- Will Hillenbrand (famed picture book author and illustrator)
- Brett Helquist (Lemony Snicket)
- John Rocco (Blackout)
- Alyssa Capucilli (Biscuit)
- Debbie Dadey (Baily School Kids)
- Dan Yaccarino (All the Way to America).
In addition there will be live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Kenn Kweder, a Philadelphia guitar legend will be playing for the grown-ups and Mr. Ray will be performing for children.
Authors and illustrators will be reading or presenting their work throughout the afternoon. Books will be available for sale and autographing by a local bookseller; JaZam’s of Princeton.
KIDS 8+ CAN BUILD ROBOTS @ THE HUNTERDON ART MUSEUM THIS FALL
And ALL LEGO® Builders ages 8 & up are welcome to a FREE Open House and information session!
WHEN: Wednesday, September 7, anytime from 4:30 to 6:00 PM Stay as long as you like! WHO: All LEGO® Builders, ages 8 & up, no robotics experience necessary (that’s YOU!) A parent or caregiver (adult supervision is required for this event) AND don’t forget to bring your own favorite mini-fig for their secret contest! WHAT: Meet HAMlet, the Museum’s own NXT® robot. Learn more about all of our NEW Sci+Art programs. Get a chance to sign up EARLY for one of the classes below (and save $10)! For more information: please call the Museum at 908.735.8415 or e-mail Judy at judy@hunterdonartmuseum.org - 976 Sci+Art: LEGO® Robotics Ages 8 – 10 $205/185 (Hnat)
8 Tuesdays, Sept. 27 – Nov. 15, 4:00 – 5:30 PM
- 977 Sci+Art: LEGO® Robotics Ages 11 & up $205/185 (Hnat) 8 Tuesdays, Sept. 27 – Nov. 15, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
- Danny Bendettelli’s OmniBiped: http://robotics.benedettelli.com/OmniBiped.htm
- Video of an AlphaRex that dances when it gets the right colored ball: http://youtu.be/ptsahiUTUL8
- LEGO® Club @ LEGO.com: http://club.lego.com
CRANFORD DRAMATIC CLUB SEEKS ACTORS FOR “OLIVER!”
AUDITIONS for OLIVER! Based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel Oliver Twist Produced by Becky Randazzo Directed by Jeffrey Fiorello Musically Directed by James Horan Choreographed by Megan Ferentinos WHEN: ADULTS: Wednesday, September 7, and Thursday, September 8, @ 7 PM; CHILDREN: Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11, 2011 @ 2 PM WHERE: Cranford Dramatic Club, 78 Winans Avenue, Cranford, NJ Performance Dates: Fridays: Nov 4, 11 & 18 @ 8 PM, Saturdays: Nov 5, 12 & 19 @ 2 PM & 7 PM; Sundays: Nov 12 & 20 @ 2 PM Seeking all ages, vocal types and physical types. All rehearsals and performances take place at CDC Theatre, Cranford, NJ.
ADULTS: Prepare a selection in the style of the show and bring sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. CHILDREN: All children will be asked to sing "Consider Yourself" from the show.
Character Breakdown: TEEN ROLES: (must appear 15 - 20)
- Bet: Female, Alto. Nancy’s Friend, one of Fagin’s former pickpockets.
- Charlotte: Female. Non-singing. The Sowerberry’s daughter.
- Noah: Male. Non-singing. Undertaker’s apprentice.
- Oliver Twist: Boy Soprano. The Protagonist of the story. He is a lonely orphan boy born in the workhouse. Must have strong ability to convey real emotions.
- Artful Dodger: Tenor. A charming, young con-man and protégé of Fagin; older than the other boy’s in Fagin’s Gang. Actor / Singer with strong dance skills and a dynamic stage presence.
- Charlie Bates: Dodger’s sidekick and member of Fagin’s Gang (the 2nd in command).
- B: Boys and Girls to portray member of the Workhouse, Fagin's Gang, Street Vendors, etc.
AUDITIONS! AUDITIONS! AUDITIONS! Directed/Choreographed by Patrick Starega Music Direction by Barry Spatz Producers Lois Dyer & Phyllis Meranus WHEN: Adults: Wednesday, September 7, and Thursday, September 8, 7:00-9:30 PM; Children (7-13 years old): Saturday, September 10 1:00- 4:00 PM; Sunday, September 11, ALL CALL BACKS by Appointment WHERE: Northland Community Center, Jefferson Court, Livingston, NJ
All those auditioning should bring sheet music and a head shot if possible, and be prepared to sing 16 bars of music and learn a brief dance routine. If you don’t have your own sheet music, they will provide you with something to sing. If auditioning for the role of Dorothy, you must be at least 14 years old. All auditioning for that role should be prepared to sing Somewhere over the Rainbow
Performances Nov. 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, at MT. PLEASANT MIDDLE SCHOOL Broadlawn Drive, Livingston
KIDS 10-17 WELCOME TO AUDITION FOR MUSICAL COMEDY
WHEN: Friday, September 9, 4-8 PM; Saturday, September 10, 10 AM-3 PM; Sunday, September 11, 1-5 PM (callbacks only) WHERE: Oakes Center, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ Click here for directions.
Performances will be October 28 to November 6, Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday matinees.
- Ages 10-17 welcome, all voice types.
- Accompanist provided.
- Auditions will be conducted by appointment.
- E-mail pebbleplayers@verizon.net to reserve a timeslot.
GSP SETS FUN, AFFORDABLE THEATER CLASSES FOR YOUTH, TEENS AND ADULTS
George Street Playhouse Academy celebrates each student as an artist; providing transformative learning experiences in an engaging environment. Their exceptional, nurturing staff of professional theatre artists provides rigorous theater training for students of all ages in the foundations of acting, movement, voice, musical theater and design. WHERE: George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. REGISTER ONLINE at www.GSPonline.org OR CALL 732.846-2895 ext. 115
Hold down the CTRL key and click on the course title for more information:
- Youth and Teens
Saturdays, September 24 – November 19, 2011
- Adult Acting: Improv for Performance
Mondays, September 19 - November 14, 2011
- Adult Acting: Meet Shakespeare
Mondays, September 19 - November 14, 2011
Click here to view full course descriptions
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) WHEN: September 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23 & 24; Friday and Saturday at 8 PM; Sunday Matinees, September 11 & 18 at 2 PM WHERE: Dover Little Theatre, 69 Elliott Street, Dover TICKETS: $17 Reservations are recommended. Call the box office at 973.328.9202. 
An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays—All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes! Join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter. Warning! This show is a high-speed roller-coaster type condensation of all of Shakespeare’s plays, and is not recommended for people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear disorders and/or people inclined to motion sickness! The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was London’s longest-running comedy. (Above L-R: Glen D. Post, Nicholas Pasquali, Sam Salter)
A FEW WORDS FROM THE DIRECTOR:
John Trumbull said, “I love the show because it’s very literate, very funny, but at the same time wonderfully accessible. It’s funny even if you’re not a Shakespeare expert.” According to John, “People are busy these days. Who has the time to see an entire Shakespearian play? We do Romeo and Juliet in 16 minutes, Hamlet in under a half hour, and we spend even less time on all those you haven’t heard of. After 97 minutes, you will walk out the theater remarkably more cultured than when you went in.” Laughingly, he added, “This show is perfect for people who love great works of theatre but who also have short attention spans!” “If you could”, quips John, “imagine Shakespeare Cliff Notes, by way of Monty Python, and you have a very good idea of the style of the show. The remarkable cast and I believe that, William Shakespeare would not only love this show, we also believe that he would go bowling with us after each performance.”
FARMSTEAD ARTS CELEBRATES NATIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION WEEK
Farmstead Arts celebrates National Arts in Education Week with Outstanding in Her Field: Exhibit and Sale
WHEN: September 10-17; opening reception Sept. 10 WHERE: Farmstead Arts, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge
Works by Anita McKenna-Murphy, teaching artist at St. James School in Basking Ridge, will be on display and for sale from September 10, 17 and 18 from 1- 4 PM with an opening reception on Saturday, September 10. The exhibit features her diminutive landscapes in pastel. Her dreamy and diminutive landscapes, many as small as 3" x 3", capture the inherent majesty of a place, and she often revisits a location many times painting en plein air the subtle changes in light and color that evoke connection to nature and its changing moods. ART CLASSES:
- Marie Johnson, a teacher at the Tree House school in Basking Ridge, will offer two eight-week sessions on Tuesdays from Sept. 20 - November 8 for preschool and elementary age students. She will teach Tuesday classes for 3 - 5 year olds from 10:30 - 11:15 AM and a class for K - 2nd grade students from 4:30 - 5:30 PM. TUITION: for the 8-week session is $120. Register online at http://weelittlearts.com/register/new-jersey.
- Classes for teens and adults include a colored pencil class on Wednesdays from 10 AM - noon from September 14 - October 19 and a basic drawing class on Saturdays from 10 AM - noon from September 17 - October 22, both with artist Susan Antin.
- Artist Frank Pietrucha will teach a pastel class for teens and adults on Thursday evenings, 6:30 - 8:30 PM from September 15 - October 20. To register, visit http://artclasses2011.eventbrite.com/
- Individual and small group weaving classes for all ages from beginners to advanced will be offered on an on-going basis by Farmstead Artist in Residence Michelle L. Marigliano. Michelle will also be offering the Embracing Creativity Project for children 18 and under with special needs on Thursdays 6:15-7:30 PM from October 6 to November 10 (6 weeks skipping Thanksgiving) and acreative movement class on Thursdays from 5 - 5:45 PM from October 6 to November 10 (6 weeks) for multi-age/families. This is a fantastic workshop to build confidence and relationships and is appropriate for all ages, developmental and physical capabilities. Contact Michelle at 732.801.9577 for more information.
- The Farmstead will offer private music lessons at the farmhouse in violin, viola and piano for home schoolers and other students of all ages through Elefante Music. Call Stefani at Elefante Music at 908.464.5928 to schedule lessons. Guitar lessons will be offered on Monday and Tuesday evenings by internationally acclaimed guitarist, Francesco Stabile. Contact Francesco at http://www.velvetguitarnyc.com/ to book lessons.
- The ArtSee Studio Tour, which will include exhibits and sales by a variety of local artists at the Farmstead from Oct. 1 – 31
- History Weekend, Oct. 8 and 9, with music, theater performances, tours and crafts on Saturday, October 8, and an Antiques Appraisal Event on Sunday, October 9.
The farmhouse is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services is requested to make a request by sending an e-mail to the farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com at least three weeks in advance.
Thanks to NJ Arts Maven for info. about these events! NJ Arts Maven lists many other events (for kids, teens, and adults)… subscribe to get free updates.
"Pediatric Preventive Dentistry" with guest speaker Dr. Memoli Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00pm Location: Bridgewater Library. Click here for more information. REVIEW: “HANNAH” @ PREMIERE STAGES
NJ Arts Maven recently posted this review of “Hannah”… a powerful play for teens and adults. It is playing Thursdays–Sundays though Sept.18th. For dates, times, and prices, visit http://www.kean.edu/premierestages/
Impatient, impetuous, imperious are appropriate adjectives to describe the young World War II Hungarian spy/poet Hannah Senesh at the center of John Wooten's play, Hannah, now onstage at Premiere Stages at Kean University in Union. By the time the 90 minutes have flown by, you'll add one more—impressive—to his portrait of this extraordinary 22-year-old who leaves the safety of Palestine to parachute behind enemy lines to help Jews of her native country escape the horrors of the Holocaust. When caught with a radio, she refuses to give up vital codes despite imprisonment, torture and eventual death. Read the full review here. The Jews of Hungary were among the last to be rounded up and deported, but that did not mean that they did not suffer from prejudice throughout the thirties and early forties. For instance, for her daughter to attend a Christian school, Hannah's widowed mother must pony up triple tuition, and when she is elected editor of the literary journal, Hannah is unceremoniously (and secretively) removed and replaced by a Christian student. And don't think that the German Nazis were to blame for this mistreatment; Hungarian Nazi-sympathizers, the Arrow Cross, did the job with gusto before and after the Nazis occupied Hungary.
The story of Hannah Senesh and her exploits may not be well known, but on this tenth anniversary of 9/11, Hannah is a fitting tribute to those men and women who are true heroes, people who, whatever the situation, put their fellowmen/women first—regardless of the danger to themselves. Silon tells Hannah, "The young think they are indestructible," and Hannah tells George, "I will die before I break," which she did. Fortunately for us, Hannah Senesh left a legacy of diaries and poetry to give us a hint as to her states of mind, her motives, her hopes and her dreams. And John Wooten's Hannah is a role model for us all.
In a poem she wrote and gave to a comrade before crossing the border into Hungary before being caught:
Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.
Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart.
Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor's sake.
Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.
Let Your Fingers Do (More) Walking…
#337: Why Don’t We Work On Labor Day?
Labor Day may sound like a lot of work, but it’s actually a chance to rest and enjoy the company of family and friends. Let’s explore why we celebrate this day each year.
Have you ever wondered…
- Why don’t we work on Labor Day?
- When did Labor Day become a national holiday?
- How do people usually celebrate Labor Day?
And two more pieces for “Back to School”:
From National Public Radio
Think You're An Auditory Or Visual Learner? Scientists Say It's Unlikely
Researchers say there's no evidence to support the widely held belief that there are distinct visual, auditory and kinetic learning styles. Though an industry has sprung up around the idea, psychologists recommend other approaches to help kids retain information. (Click the title above to learn more.)
#319: How Many School Lunches Are Served Each Day?
Have you ever wondered…
- How many school lunches are served each day?
- Have there always been school lunch programs?
- What steps is the government taking to create healthier school lunches? Click here to find out! For help with packing a healthy school lunch, check out these tips:
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