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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

March Fun

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Programs at the Bridgewater Library, other libraries in the Somerset County Library System and around the community.


Join us each week for stories, songs, finger plays, and a short film. Family Story Time (ages 2-6) Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Toddler Time (18 mo.-3) Wednesdays at 10 & 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m and now 11:30 a.m. Clapping and singing, rhymes and books….introduce your toddler to the beginnings of story time! Infant Lap Sit (birth to 18 months) Thursdays at 9:30 Clap your hands and stamp your feet and let you baby feel the beat of stories, songs and rhymes.

*Due to overwhelming demand for our Toddler Time programs, we have added an additional session on Thursdays at 11:30. In order that we have room for everyone, we ask that you please come to only one session each week. Thanks!


Raptor Trust (Ages 3+)Saturday, March 10th From 10:30am – 11:30am Registration begins February 25th Have you ever met a real live owl? Would you like to? Hoot-hoot-hoot in excitement as you join us to learn all about owls. Discover the similarities and differences between hawks and owls, and explore what makes an owl an owl. The coolest part: you will get to meet an actual owl!


Sing-A-Long: Marching into March (Children of all ages) Monday, March 12th From 10:00am – 11:00am Registration begins February 27th. Join us as we celebrate the month with some high energy tunes!


Super Hero Training Camp (Grades K-4) Saturday, March 17 from 10:30 am - 11:30 am Registration begins March 3rd.
Come dressed as your favorite superhero for a morning of superhero training! Test your strength, go up and away with your own superhero cape and mask, and put your skills to the test with our superhero games!


After-School Special: 'The Lorax' (Grades K-5) Monday, March 19th
From 4:30-5:30pm Registration begins March 5th.

Join us as we celebrate Dr. Seuss's environmental fable 'The Lorax' with stories, crafts and games. Please bring along (clean) yogurt cups, bottle caps, paper towel rolls, cardboard cereal-type boxes, and any other recycled materials to make into Dr. Seuss inspired creations.


Rocket Readers: 'Let the Good Times Roll with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe' (Grades 1-3) Tuesday, March 20th From 4:30pm – 5:30pm Registration begins March 1st. Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe are looking for some pirate fun. But first they need to find the Pirate Queen. Where can she be? Come along with Pirate Pete and Pirate Joe on their adventure!
There are LOTS OF PROGRAMS at other system libraries for your children & teens…check out their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page for more information.


@ the Library – for Teens:


 
Hunger Games Trivia (Grades 6-12) Tuesday March 13, 2012 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM Registration begins February 21. Do you have what it takes to survive the arena? Our Hunger Games Challenge will test your survival skills and knowledge of the first book of the series! Snacks will be served and prizes will be awarded. May the odds ever be in your favor!


Open Mic Cafe Night (Ages 13+) Thursday, March 15th From 7:00pm – 8:30pm Registration begins March 1st. **You only need to register if you are interested in performing.**
The Bridgewater Library is proud to announce its first-ever Open Mic Night! Think you’ve got what it takes to get up on stage in front of your peers with nothing but your voice and guitar? Want to share your most well-crafted poetry or original music? Then this is your night! Join us for this one of a kind experience, and help local musicians and writers get their voices heard.
Depending on registration, artists will receive 10-15 minute slots to play music or recite poetry. Sign ups will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check back for more registration information.
Teens, looking for more volunteer hours? – check out the teen volunteer opportunities at the Children’s Museum & the Environmental Education Center – details in the Around the Community Section of this newsletter (below).
@ the Library: Displays:
Happy Birthday Authors & Illustrators – Check out some books by the authors and illustrators who have birthdays this month – at the back of the Children’s Reference Desk.


Who, What, Where, Why, How? – Have questions about the world around you? Find the answers in the books on our display by the reshelving area.


Celebrate the Many Women Who Contributed to this Country’s History – display atop the magazine section.



Around the Community:

Here are just a few events from listings in various calendars & online newsletters including njartsmaven.com, Hillsborough, Branchburg, Somerville Macaroni Kid, and Warren Macaroni Kid. If your family is looking for things to do, take a look at these sites, as well as many other area event listings in the “useful websites” section on the right side of this blog (if you are getting this via email, just click on the headline to see them listed.

Stages Festival and Family Week at the Theatre in New Jersey BY ARLINE ZATZ

Children enjoying live theater“The great thing about this program is that the events are designed to introduce young audiences and their families to theater and to help them see it isn’t that different from going to the movies. When a show is designed for young people, no one expects an absolutely perfect audience, but we hope that children will learn to use their library voices, and stay in their seats during the performance if at all possible. Some programs even encourage youngsters to sit on the floor, jump around, and get engaged with the performers. The Stages Festival and Family Week at the Theatre is a wonderful first theatrical experience for everyone.”
Ticket costs for performances vary, with the majority of offerings free or discounted for young people. A number of theaters are also presenting free voice, dance, improv, and stage workshops for students.
To make sure you can get in to see some of the free or reduced-price performances next month, purchase tickets and/or make reservations as early as possible. For information about performances, dates, times, and ticket information, check The Stages Festival and Family Week at the Theatre website. For more information about New Jersey’s professional theaters, visit njtheatrealliance.org.
THEATER FOR KIDS @ SOPAC MARCH 10
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble  Enchantment Theatre Company
WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 10, AT 11 AM
WHERE:
South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange (behind the train station)
Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion frightens him, Sylvester makes a wish that brings unexpected results. Based on the book by William Steig, author of ShrekBUY TICKETS

IMAGINE: KIDS GO FREE TO SHAKESPEARE THIS SATURDAY

www.ShakespeareNJ.org (link on graphic will not work)
Schoolhouse Rock, Live! at Morris Plains Borough School Fri, Fri. 03/09/2012 7:00pm 500 Speedwell Avenue

Morris Plains, NJ 07950  The Emmy Award winning 1970s cartoon series that taught history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs comes to life.http://www.mpmac.org/ FREE
Reserve by phone: 973-292-0815

There are many more FAMILY WEEK performances – get the full list here.





Acharlottes-web_tnt Papermill Playhouse: Ramona Quimby-Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two Beans Productions for TheatreworksUSA Ages 6 & up. Ramona Quimby has delighted young readers for over 50 years through the books of Newbery Medal-winning writer Beverly Clearly. Now she comes to life on stage. Follow the latest breathless adventure of Ramona, the exasperating but lovable third-grader, her older sister Beezus, her Aunt Bea and others. Orchestra & Box $20 or $15, Mezzanine $12. Click here for a schedule of their future family performances.
Drama class for children with developmental disabilities at Paper Mill Playhouse Paper Mill Playhouse in partnership with VSA-NJ, the state organization on the arts and disabilities, will present its first ever creative drama class for students with developmental disabilities ages 9 to 12. This class meets Fridays from April 13 through May 25, 2012 from 3:45 till 4:45 PM. This six week program costs $170 per student. Space is limited, early registration is recommended.

FREE CONCERT FEATURES MUSICAL STARS OF TOMORROW
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RVCC PLANETARIUM SHOWS FOR KIDS
All shows run approximately 40 minutes. Admission: $6 unless otherwise specified.  Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!
Magic Tree House Space Mission Poster
Magic Tree House: Space Mission  Sunday, March 18 at 1:00 (Sold Out), and 2:00 p.m. (Sold Out)Saturday, March 31 at 2:00 p.m.  (Sold Out)
Wednesday, April 11 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturdays, May 5, 12, 19 at 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m.
What would you do if you found a note with lots of question on it?  "How many stars in the starry night sky?  If we flew to the Sun, how long would we fly?  Will we travel to planets and will it be soon?  Will we ever be able to live on the Moon?  How does it feel to journey through space?  Why is our Earth so special a place?"  From the authors of the best-selling novel series, join Jack and Annie as they discover the secrets of the Sun, Moon, planets, space travel, and more.  Who can help them answer the mysterious "M's" questions?  (recommended for ages 5 and older)
Tycho to the Moon Poster
Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon
Sunday, March 18, 3:00 p.m.
Exploring shapes in space: are the Moon and its orbit "round" like a ball or a pancake?  Play connect-the-dots with the stars to find triangles and squares and constellations. Meet Tycho, a dog who doesn't just howl at the Moon, but wants to go there.  Blast off on an amazing ride.  Learn about night and day, space travel, the phases of the Moon, and features of the lunar surface.  Watch meteors shoot across the sky and see the Earth from space. (recommended for ages 5-10 accompanied by an adult)

mr. RAY concert
Sunday, March 25, 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
$8 per person, ages 1 and older
Back by popular demand, mr. RAY will perform many of his hit songs here in our Planetarium!



The Environmental Education Center 190 Lord Sterling Rd. Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
has lots of activities for kids. Events require registration. Here’s some events from their March Calendar.

Build & Grow at Lowe's Lowe's 315 US Highway 206 Hillsborough, 08844 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Children up to age 12 FREE!!!

Carnival Hoops: Saturday 03/10/2012
Step right up and try your luck with carnival hoops! Your child will love building and playing with this kit.
 

Art Station: Saturday 03/24/2012  Your child will love this kit! This cool art station comes complete with a chalkboard and chalk!
Due to high demand, please register online at: http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx For more info: www.lowesbuildandgrow.com 908-904-6140
Each participant will receive a free apron, goggles, a themed patch, and a certificate of merit upon completion of their project.

The Children’s Museuminteractive activities most typically suitable for children ages 3 to 9 Saturday March 17th from 10-2:30 Astronomy & Flight Day
Families can arrive and leave at any time. Parents and/or caregivers are expected to stay with children during the museum visit. Please use discretion in bringing very young children, as the museum is NOT baby-proof (some craft items are small and could present a choking hazard).
Location: The PeopleCare Center, 120 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 (parking and entrance are in the rear of the building).
Cost: A $3/ per child donation is suggested for those who can afford it. For more information: somersetcminfo@gmail.com or call 908-595-0001.
Check out their video of aluminum pie pans flying off a Van De Graaff Generator from last weekend’s Science Day! TEENS, LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER HOURS?? – Check here for volunteer opportunities at The Children’s Museum this winter & spring. More info. contact: Tom Davidson, volunteer coordinator 908-725-4677 tadavidson@gmail.com



Rutgers University Geology Museum offers exhibits, scavenger hunts, and tours and programs. The museum is free and open to the public. Self-service scavenger hunts for different ages are always available and tours can be scheduled.
Exhibits include a dinosaur track way, a mounted mastodon, a 2400 year old mummy, rocks and minerals from New Jersey and around the world, and florescent minerals.
On the third Saturday of every month the Geology Museum provides free tours to prearranged groups of 10 to 50 people. Guests of all ages learn about dinosaurs, geology, the Ice Age, mastodons, mummies, and minerals with special attention given to New Jersey-based exhibits. Tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
Late Nights at the Museum on the first Wednesday of each month feature activity stations for children and adults from 4pm-8pm.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 Ice Age
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 Anthropology
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 Fossils
Click here for more information on special events at the museum. 



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Click here for schedule and registration info. on 4-H Science-sational Day.


BOOK EARLY FOR STNJ STUDENT MATINEE PERFORMANCES
If you are a teacher of middle and high school English, call early to get tickets for student matinees at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey for they have limited student performances and they sell out quickly.

Pictured: Seamus Mulcahy, Henry V, 2007

Bring Your Students to The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey this Spring...and Fall!
2012 marks their 50th Anniversary, and there is no better time to introduce your students to the wonders of Shakespeare and Classical Theatre!
Henry IV, Part One - Not seen on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in two decades, this is one of Shakespeare's most popular history plays, introducing Prince Hal and the larger-than-life Sir John Falstaff at the height of his rowdy power. Shakespeare blends fact and fiction seamlessly in this portrait of a young prince's reformation, ascent to manhood and rise to be one of England's most cherished monarchs. Appropriate for grades 6 and up.
Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist - Featuring an ensemble of 13 actors who play a myriad of roles, this piece will delight the senses. Filled with music, familiar characters and the visceral landscape of Victorian England's underworld, Bartlett's adaptation of Dickens' classic is sure to spark your students' imagination. Appropriate for grades 6 and up.
Man of La Mancha - Featuring Broadway's Robert Cuccioli in the iconic role of Don Quixote, this Tony-Award winning musical based on Miguel de Cervantes 'Don Quixote de la Mancha is a celebration of honor, integrity and the ability of one man, no matter how small, to conquer impossible odds. Appropriate for grades 7 and up.
Trelawny of the Wells - This fabulous romantic comedy about life in the theatre in England at the turn of the 19th century is a wonderful holiday treat for your students. Appropriate for grades 7 and up.
All performances begin at 10:30 AM and include a comprehensive STUDY GUIDE and a POST-SHOW DISCUSSION with the actors.
ONE FREE CHAPERONE TICKET, with every ten $17 student tickets purchased!  For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Suzanne Sheptock, Sales Manager, at 973.408.3980
A FULL MENU OF WORKSHOPS THIS SUMMER @ PLAYWRIGHTS THEATRE FOR ALL AGES

Classes for Pre-K & K (ages 4 & 5)  Creative Play - Summer Camp
WHEN: Monday - Friday, 9:30-11:30 AM
TUITION: $225 per session
Session A (June 25 - July 6)   Session B (July 9 - July 20) Session D (August 6 - August 17) Click here to register
Classes for Grades 1-3  Playmakers - Summer Camp  WHEN: Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM
TUITION:
$275 per session ($250 for returning students)
Session A (June 25 - July 6) Session B (July 9 - July 20)  Session C (July 23 - August 3) -
Session D (August 6 - August 17) Session E (August 20 - August 31)   Click here to register

 


LET YOUR FINGERS DO (MORE) WALKING:


3778_200_150.jpg (200×150)8 Ways To Go “Commercial Free” and Give Play Back to Babies   www.regardingbaby.org   A thought-provoking piece on the importance of commercial-free play for young children.

 

The Unlikely Best-Seller: 'A Wrinkle In Time' Turns 50   www.npr.org  How did a book featuring complex discussions about quantum physics, theology and mathematics become a beloved children's book? Madeleine L'Engle's classic had a rocky path to publication.



hands of old woman_shutterstock_72428473#519: If Blood Is Red, Why Are Veins Blue?  Roses are red, violets are blue. Blood is red, why aren’t veins, too?
Find out in this great Wonderopolis entry.

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