Out and About in Central New Jersey: New at the Library–Museum Passes! plus 4H Fair and More August Fun!

Check out Museum Passes at Somerset County Library branches.
Library cardholders can now check out FREE museum passes for these museums:

Children's Museum of Manhattan
Frick Collection
Grounds For Sculpture
Guggenheim Museum (also good for the Brooklyn Museum)
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. Patrons may also use this pass for admission to all museums in the North American Reciprocal Member program (NARM) including dozens of institutions in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Please call ahead to the specific museum before using the reciprocal feature for additional details or restrictions.

Passes can be reserved online or by phone using your library card and pin number. Click HERE for more details on this exciting new program.

Mark your calendars for Free Family Fun at the 4H Fair next week! (Please Leave Your Pets at Home!) Wednesday August 8th- Friday 10th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, located between Routes 22 and 202."Avoid the fuss, enjoy the bus!" To make getting in and out of the fairgrounds as easy as possible, free shuttle buses run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day of the Fair from Raritan Valley Community College Rt. 28, North Branch.

The Somerset County Library will be at the Somerset County Tent at the Somerset County 4H Fair. In addition to the library & other county agencies in that tent, there are lots of tents featuring various 4H clubs – everything from animals to astronomy, bee-keeping to baton-twirling, magic to model-airplanes! There are musical performances and lots of good eats. Plus the fire, maintenance, and parks departments are on hand with their big trucks to climb on and around and the Children’s Museum will have a tent with bugs, dinosaurs, their step-in bubble machine, and more! It is a great place to help your kids discover new interests. There is no admission or parking fee, no midway or carnival rides. This Fair recognizes the accomplishments of 1,000 Somerset County 4-H members and is a showcase for visitors to see a wide variety of 4-H projects in action.
Maps and schedules of daily events such as dog, horse and livestock shows are available in the information tent (and possibly online the week of the fair…check here). Twirling, go karts, rockets, magic, line dancing, model airplanes, R.C. cars, model trains and other 4-H clubs compete and perform. The Arts Tent, Science Tent and Prep Tent (for the youngest 4-H'ers) are packed with exhibits, activities for visitors, demonstrations and performances. Ten other 4-H tents house a variety of animals including dairy cows, beef, alpaca, horses, dogs, herpetology, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and small animals. Most animal tents have a petting area.

Teen Volunteers Needed to Help the Children’s Museum at the 4H Fair Teens looking for volunteer hours?

The Children’s Museum will be needing volunteers for the Children’s Museum Tent at the 4H Fair in North Branch August 8-10th (anytime between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. each day.) If you want to help, please call or email Contact: Tom Davidson, volunteer coordinator 908-725-4677 tadavidson@gmail.com
Sunday August 5: 1PM - 5PM Exhibit Work (at The PeopleCare Center 120 Finderne Ave. Bridgewater, NJ 08807). The theme of this year's program is 'Bugs' and we are making several, including a giant paper mâché bee. Finishing construction of the bugs and painting will occur on this day.
Tuesday August 7: 2PM-4PM for set-up in the Prep Tent at the Fair
Wednesday August 8: Noon - 10PM In the Prep Tent (generally 2 hours shifts work well)
Thursday August 9: 9:30-10:00PM In the Prep Tent (9:30-Noon, Noon-2PM, etc.)
Friday August 10: 9:30-11:00PM In the Prep Tent (9:30-Noon, Noon-2PM, etc., with exhibit take-down from 10-11PM)
Saturday August 11: Noon - 2PM (at The PeopleCare Center) This is a hose-down event to get all the dust and mud off of the exhibits, and to haul them back into the museum's storage room.
Activities in the Prep Tent (Wednesday - Friday) include exhibit maintenance (such as putting water in the bubble machine or retrieving ping pong balls that fly over the tent's fence back in the Bernoulli blower), helping youth with games and 'bug crafts' (such as making butterfly rings and bug buttons), and generally keeping the exhibit area clean.

Programs @ the Bridgewater Library

There’s still time to register and record minutes in our summer reading clubs. The clubs are open to preschoolers as well as school-aged children. Come by the desk to learn all about them!
If you have registered for a program and realize that you won’t be able to come, please call (908 526-4016x126) or email us (bwljuv@sclibnj.org) as early as possible so we can make someone on the waitlist very happy. Next time that waitlisted participant might be your child!

Our summer Toddler Times (on Thursdays at 10 & 11), and Baby Times (Fridays at 9:30 & 10:30) end this Friday Aug. 3rd. (No registration required.) Planning ahead? Fall dates & times will be available online soon or you can call us at 908 526-4016 x126 now. Looking for an evening storytime? Bound Brook Library is offering Campfire Adventures on Wednesdays through Aug. 15th, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM(Ages 5 - 9) Registration Required. When you register your child, he or she will be registered for all sessions. If you are unable to attend any session, please notify the library at 732-356-0043, ext 111.

FUN MATH PROGRAM MATERIALS AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY!

We talked about Bedtime Math in last week’s newsletter. If you didn’t get the calendar and stars for this fun math program at the library before we ran out, good news! – we’ve received more supplies. Bedtime Math delivers a new and exciting math problem each night (actually 3 – one for preschoolers, one for early elementary, and one for older students.) Hear more about the motivation for and the research behind what started as one mom’s initiative in this article on National Public Radio.

Lego Club (Grades K-6) Thursday, August 2nd From 3:30-4:30pm 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, so you do not need to bring your own. Please Note: Parents are welcome to stay; however, younger siblings cannot be permitted to join this program.

Days of Knight (Grades K-5) Saturday, August 4th From 10:30-11:30am Registration required. Through a unique fusion of medieval history and storytelling, we deliver an engaging, interactive, hands-on experience that inspires young learners as they travel back to Medieval Times, back to the days of kings and castles, swordfights and jousts, adventure and romance, chivalry and honor.
Just like the heroes in these stories, volunteers from the audience will have their knees buckle under the weight of real steel armor, experience the solitude inside a jousting helm, feel the surge of power from wielding a knight's broadsword, and much more.We invite you to travel back in time with us as we explore knighthood, arms, armor, and chivalry!

Lunch Bunch: 'Big Dreams' (Grades 3-4) (For students entering grades 3-4) Monday, August 6th From Noon-1pm Registration required. Get ready to listen to stories about all kinds of dreams and big dreamers.

Craftacular: Knights and Friends! (Ages 3-6) Tuesday, August 7th 10am and 11:30 a.m. Registration required. Good night, good knights! Celebrate the last of summer with knights, mythical creatures and more!

Storytelling and Book Signing: 'Fabrizio's Fable' (for families with children of all ages) Tuesday, August 7th From 4:30-5:30pm Registration required.
Join local author Patricia Brady-Danzig as she reads her wonderful new story “Fabrizio’s Fable” in both English and Italian. Children will learn the beautiful Italian language when this charming story about Fabrizio and Luigi is read to them. Ms. Brady will also lead children through an original song performed in both languages.After the program, the author will be available to talk about her debut book, as well as sign copies for program attendees.

Daydreaming: Up All Night - Nocturnal Animals (Grades 1-5) Wed Aug. 8th From 2-3pm Registration required. Join us for stories, activities, and experiments starring the creatures of the night.

Sing-a-Long: Summer Songs (Children of all ages) Tuesday, August 14th at 2:00pm No registration required Join us for a bucketful of songs celebrating all things summer!

Save the Date: Summer Reading Club Celebration Carnival! (For all ages) Thursday, August 16th drop in anytime from 1-4pm No registration required. Step right up! Step right up...for an afternoon filled with games, prizes, and activities for children of all ages! Bring your family and friends for a fun-filled summer afternoon!

Tween Party: After Hours (Grades 4-6) Friday, August 17 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Registration begins August 3. Tweens, entering grades 4-6, get locked in the library after hours! We'll have a movie, video games, crafts and snacks! No admittance after 6:15 pm. Advance notice required if tween must leave the program early.

Talk It Up: 'Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life' by James Patterson (For students entering grades 5-8) Wednesday, August 22nd From 7-8 pm Registration begins August 8th. When Rafe Khatchadorian enters middle school, he teams up with his best friend, 'Leo the Silent,' to create a game to make school more fun by trying to break every rule in the school's code of conduct.

There are LOTS OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS at other system libraries for children & teens…find their online calendars under the “events/programs” tab on our home page.

@ Bridgewater Library for Teens:

The Teen Summer Reading Program continues through Sept. 8th. Stop by anytime this summer to register or record your time.

Open Mic Cafe Night (Ages 13+)
Thursday, Aug. 9th From 7:00pm – 8:30pm Registration Required to perform. 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 poetry, comedy, 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. **You only need to register if you are interested in performing.**

Movie and a Sundae (For students entering grades 6-12) Title TBD. Mon. Aug. 6th From 6-8:30pm Registration required
Come cool off at the library by making your own ice cream sundae and watching a good movie! Movie titles have yet to be determined, but will have a rating no higher than PG-13. Check our website for more information as the program dates get closer! Have a suggestion for a movie? Email Lynn at lmazur@sclibnj.org.

Multi-Generation Movie: THE HUNGER GAMES (Rated PG-13) Open to all ages, but please note rating information: Rated PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens. Movie length is 142 minutes. Saturday, August 18 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, repeats Monday, August 20 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Registration begins Friday, August 3rd for the Saturday showing & Monday, August 6th for the Monday showing. Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she's pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared their entire lives. She must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

TAB (Teen Advisory Board) Meeting (Grades 6-8) Tuesday, Aug. 21st from 5:30-6:30pm TAB Meeting (Grades 9-12) (For students entering grades 9-12) from 6:30-7:30pm. 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. meetings! Community service hours will be awarded for attendance and snacks will be served.

Talk It Up: 'Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life' by James Patterson (For students entering grades 5-8) Wednesday, August 22nd From 7-8 pm Registration begins August 8th. When Rafe Khatchadorian enters middle school, he teams up with his best friend, 'Leo the Silent,' to create a game to make school more fun by trying to break every rule in the school's code of conduct.

For more information, check out our August teen calendar here.

Around the Community:

JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR® DREAMCOAT at the Brook Arts Center, August 3rd and 4th.

Storm Productions, in association with the Brooks Arts Center and Dance Storm International, will present two benefit performances to support the Brook Arts Center in downtown Bound Brook, New Jersey.
The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged.
When: Friday, August 3rd and Saturday, August 4th
Where: The Brook Arts Center, 10 Hamilton St, Bound Brook, NJ
Time: 8:00pmDetails: $10 for students and seniors and $15 for adults, by calling 732-469-7700 or through Ticketweb.com. Further information can be found at Dance Storm International and
the Brook Arts Center (www.brookarts.org). Tickets may also be purchased from Mama Rosina's at the Bound Brook Train Station, Lou's Sub Shop, and Pranzatelli's Audio Outlet.

Mars Science Laboratory "Curiosity" Landing Event
Curious about “Curiosity”? – see a wonderful NASA video clip HERE. Share in the excitement of the Mars Science Laboratory landing!

Night Owls Only!   10pm Sunday August 5    to    2am Monday Aug 6 (lander expected to touch down around 1:30 a.m.) at Xact Studios 411 Rt 206 Suite 5 (Towne Centre Shopping Mall) Hillsborough
Admission: Adults $18 Youth $ 9 (must be accompanied by an adult)   Limited Seating - reservations required   Contact: MSL@AstronomyNJ.com Learn about NASA's latest mission to Mars! Watch live feeds from NASA/JPL Mission Control on HD wide screen TVMulti-media presentations on Astronomy and Exploring Mars!Guest Speaker: Paul Cirillo - NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador
Live remote access telescope viewing from the Canary Islands and Chile (conditions permitting)

COURTROOM DRAMA ON OUTDOOR STAGE TH-SAT AUG 4-6

This courtroom drama is a perfect introduction to serious theater for your teenagers, what with the battle over evolution continuing today.

INHERIT THE WIND, by Hugh Wallace of Bernardsville,offers a fictionalized account of the famous 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial of John Scopes for teaching Charles Darwin’s “Theory of Evolution” to his high school science classes in Tennessee. In that trial, former Vice President William Jennings Bryan prosecuted John Scopes for breaking the law, which forbade the teaching of evolution in Tennessee schools. The famous Clarence Darrow defended the science teacher while reporter, H. L. Mencken, covered the trial.
The authors, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, used the 1925 trial to explore the Communist witch-hunt of the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, similar to the device used by Arthur Miller in “The Crucible.” Performances are at 8 p.m. each night at the outdoor amphitheater on Valley Rd in Basking Ridge (adjacent to the VA hospital). FREE. No parking, no tolls, bring a picnic and blanket and/or chairs and you’re set for an exciting evening of theater. Click here for more info.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE AT SHAKESPEARE THEATRE

Here’s another thought-provoking play for teens (and their parents.) This mercurial masterpiece could have been written yesterday. An age-old tale of scandal, abuse of power and what happens when repression and profligacy get equally out of balance; it is a story for all times and its contemporary relevance is chillingly palpable. Tickets start at $32. The first Preview performance on Wednesday August 8th is Pay What You Can night and student Rush tickets are available 30-minutes before curtain for $10 with a valid student ID. For tickets, call the box office at 973-408-5600, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org or email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org. Single ticket prices include a $2 facility fee not subject to discount.

FREE Summer Movies in Somerville. Bring a chair, or a blanket, bring your friends and kids, pack a snack for movie time, and head down to Division Street (now a plaza, not a street). Questions? Call 908.541.1600 or email dsa@findsomerville.com.
THE GOONIES Aug. 8, 8:30 p.m. Rated PG
THE GOONIES are a group of seven young friends from a small Northwest town who find themselves on a thrilling underground adventure filled with humor and heart-pounding peril as they seek the secrets behind the treasure of the notorious pirate, One-Eyed Willie.
BIG MIRACLE Aug. 15, 8:30 p.m. Rated PG
Set in Cold War-era 1988, Big Miracle tells the true story of a small-town news reporter and a Greenpeace volunteer who enlist the help of rival superpowers to save three majestic gray whales trapped under the ice of the Arctic Circle.
BACK TO THE FUTURE Aug. 22, 8:30 p.m. Rated PG
1980s teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) is transported back in time to 1955 where he accidentally changes the course of history through a series of comic misadventures and finds he must return things to the way they were, back to the future.
E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL Aug 29, 8:30 p.m.Rated PG
A being from outer space is accidentally stranded on Earth. In his search for refuge, E.T. wanders into a backyard where he is discovered by ten-year-old Elliott. Elliott assumes responsibility for E.T.'s safety while searching, in a race against time, for a way to reunite E.T. with his own kind in this heartwarming story of friendship and discovery.

Looking for Music in the Parks this summer? Check out the “Events – Summer Concerts” listings in the “Useful Websites” section on the right side of this newsletter. (If you are getting this as an email, click on the headline to open it up in the bookcase format and these will appear.)

The Sky Above RVCC planetarium show for families with children on the Autism Spectrum or with other developmental disabilities. Sunday, August 12, 2012, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
All ages are welcome to this one-hour sensory-friendly program. The show will provide a comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. The doors will remain open so that children will be able to come and go. Lights will be left dim and audio will be lowered and at a consistent level. The sky show will include: music, videos, planets, the Moon, constellations and laser lights. Ticket Price: $5.00 per person Please call 908-231-8805 to make a reservation as we are limiting the number of visitors for each show.

RVCC Planetarium Schedule All shows run approximately 40 minutes. Admission: $7 for one show, $12 for two shows on the same day. Call 908-231-8805 for reservations!

Solar System Odyssey Tuesdays through August 28 2:00 p.m.Go on a futuristic journey through our Solar System. With Earth's resources being rapidly depleted, a tycoon sends our hero, Jack Larson, on a mission to discover a new home to colonize. This character-driven show is perfect for middle school students! (recommended for ages 8-12)

Attack of the Space Pirates Poster

Attack of the Space Pirates Tuesdays through August 28 3:00 p.m.Hidden somewhere in the vast reaches of space is an alien technology so powerful that it threatens the very galaxy itself. A gang of rogue pirates will stop at nothing to find that technology and unleash its awesome power against the rest of the universe. Now, only one valiant ship stands between the pirates and their total domination of space. It’s a race against time for the Starship Intrepid as it seeks to find the alien technology first while defending itself against the attack of the space pirates! (recommended for ages 8-12)

Magic Tree House Space Mission Poster

Magic Tree House: Space Mission
Wednesdays, July 11 - August 29 2:00 p.m. And Fridays, July 6 - August 24 7:00 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)

Laser Kids Wednesdays, July 11 - August 29
3:00 p.m. Our popular show has gotten a new song list. Songs include "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Supercalifragilisticsexpialidocious," and "Yellow Submarine," to name just a few. (recommended for ages 5 and older)

Space Shapes & Tycho to the Moon
Thursdays, July 5 – August 23 2:00 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)

SkyLights Thursdays, July 5 – August 23
3:00 p.m. Our youngest audience members can sing along with songs by Mr. RAY (Family Ride, Kalien the Alien) and Jane Murphy (Moon Rock Rock, The Planet Song). Some songs are illustrated with lasers and other songs feature video images. (recommended for ages 5-10)

Pond Exploration

Check out the Programs at the Environmental Education Center. Programs include WHITEWATER RAFTING, EVENING EXPLORATION and more!

Summer Draggin’, Kids Bored? There are still some summer camp programs available in our area: Click on the titles for more info.

Looking for more things to do? Pick up your 2012-2013 Somerset County Destination Guide (or visit www.visitsomersetnj.org), KidsGuide Summer/Fall 2012, and New Jersey Family August 2012 issue – all FREE at the library!

Let Your Fingers Do More Walking…

From the delightful blog Imagination Soup:

TOYS THAT REQUIRE IMAGINATION . . . CARDBOARD

Posted by Melissa Taylor on 25 Jul 2012 4 Comments
Kids are naturally wired to play and imagine. But when we (I’m guilty of this myself) give them tons of toys that do everything, they don’t need to imagine anything. So give your kids a cardboard challenge – to find the hidden objects in the boxes like Michelangelo did with blocks of granite. The boxes require imagination. They won’t do anything without it. It’s NOT a box, but it might be . . . ticket booth ticket booth Toys That Require Imagination . . . Cardboard

ticket booth Toys That Require Imagination . . . Cardboard

, airplane, marble run (Zoobles run)

cardboard tubes Toys That Require Imagination . . . Cardboard

airplane box Toys That Require Imagination . . . Cardboard

Read the Not a Box picture book by Antoinette Portis for more inspiration!And check out these fun ideas for “Not a Box”! (Click on the photo to go to the sites.)