Bridgewater Library Book Sale is this week. Enjoy browsing and buying wonderful books & media at terrific prices for you and your kids.

How to Turn 'Terrible Twos' into 'Terrific Twos' -- Program at Peapack Gladstone Library

Want to know how to turn 'terrible twos' into 'terrific twos', 'theatrical threes' into 'the best threes' and 'floundering fours' into 'fabulous fours'?  Then come to the Peapack-Gladstone Library at 7 p.m. on October 4 for a special free presentation by Matheny Medical and Educational Center social worker Sandra Van Nest.  In "Parenting Your Preschooler", Van Nest will be speaking to parents in the community about the joys and challenges of living with a preschool child.  The Peapack-Gladstone Library is located at 1 School St. in Peapack. Phone number is 908 234-0598.


@ the Library: Programs for Children:

'Star Wars' Reads Day (All Ages) Saturday, October 6th
from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm No registration required.
Join us on Saturday, October 6th as we celebrate Star Wars Reads Day! Drop in anytime for a showing of two Star Wars films at 10 am and 1 pm. There will be games, puzzles, crafts, a trivia contest and prizes. Jedis and padawans who come in costume will receive a special prize – the Force is strong with them! Stop by for a fun-filled day, and may the Force be with you.

After-School Adventure: 'Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter' (Ages 5-10)Monday, October 15th from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Registration begins October 1. Join us for a reading of this untraditional fairy tale, 'Rumpelstiltskin's Daughter,' and then create a picture suitable for hanging in the King’s castle! **Paint will be available, so please dress accordingly.






Tail Waggin' Tutors: Children Reading to Dogs (For Children of All Ages) Tuesday, October 9th. 4-5pm. Repeats on Thursday, Oct. 18th. Telephone or In-Person Registration Only Call the library at 908 526-4016 x126 for more information. You may begin registering for this program on Tuesday, September 25th.
Did you know that dogs like listening to stories as much as kids do?Come to the Bridgewater Library for Tail Waggin’ Tutors, our new program where children will have the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading a story to Xena the Therapy Dog, a friendly, six-year-old chocolate labradoodle. Each child will have 10 minutes to read a favorite story to his or her new, canine friend. Therapy Dogs International (TDI®) is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed.For more information, please visit www.tdi-dog.org.

Hallow-Tween Party: After Hours (Grades 4-6) Friday, October 19th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Registration begins October 5.
Tweens, grades 4-6, wear your Halloween costumes and get locked in the library after hours! We'll have a Halloween movie, video games, crafts and snacks! Please Note: No admittance after 6:15 pm. Advance notice required if tween must leave the program early.


Friends Concert Series: Kurt Gallagher (For ages 3+)
Saturday, October 20 at 10:30 am No registration
Join Kurt Gallagher’s “Songs for Playful Children” for an interactive music appreciation program with lots of silly songs like “Rocket to Chocolate,” 'Twinkle Twinkle Broken Down Car.” The kids will have so much fun dancing, singing and giggling they won’t realize they’re actually learning about melody and rhythm. Kurt’s on a mission to show kids that music is made by people, not machines and everyone at Kurt’s show is encouraged to sing and play along. Plus that they’ll get to pop lots and lots of bubbles! Music fun for the whole family!





Monster Mayhem (Ages 5-10) Monday, October 22nd from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Registration begins October 8. Games and crafts celebrating all things (slightly) gruesome and glorious.




Lego Club (Grades K-6) Tuesday October
23rd. from 10:30 am - 11:30 am Registration begins October 9th. 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.


Family Storytimes (ages 2-6) are held Tuesdays at 10 and 1:30, Toddler Times (ages 18-36 months) Wednesdays at 10 & 11 and Thursdays at 10:30 & 11:30, Baby Times (Birth-18 months) Thursdays at 9:30 through October 18th. No registration is required but we ask that you only attend one session each week. Full details are posted our October Calendar or you can call us at 908 526-4016 x126. We also offer a satellite storytime/craft on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at the Neshanic Station Library.
Looking for an Evening Storytime? Bound Brook Library has them on Wednesdays starting at 7:00 PM. Program space is limited. Registration Required.

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

If you register 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!



Highlighting our Foreign Language Materials:


@ Bridgewater Library for Teens:


5th & 6th Grade Volunteers Thursday, October 4th from 7-8pm Registration required. ATTENTION STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 AND 6: Here is your chance to make a difference by volunteering at the library! You can help the library with special projects including creating bookmarks for young children, organizing and tidying up the Children’s Room, and much more!

Open Mic Cafe Night (Ages 13+) Thursday, October 18th From 7:00pm – 8:30pm Registration Required to perform begins Sept. 6th. 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.**

Standardized Testing Demystified (Grades 9-12) (For students in grades 9-12 and parent(s)/guardian(s)) Tuesday, October 2nd
From 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Registration required
Ed Carroll, who has worked in Research and Development for Princeton Review, discusses the student experience of taking the SAT and ACT, and the role of standardized testing in the college admissions process. During his time at Princeton Review, Ed developed materials (books, practice tests, iPhone apps, test-taking strategies, etc.) and used to take the SAT and ACT several times a year.

Finding Colleges That Fit You (Grades 9-12)(For students in grades 9-12 and their parent(s)/guardian(s)) Thursday, October 11th
From 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Registration begins Sept. 20th.
Rana Slosberg, a higher education consultant, answers the seven commonly asked questions regarding college selection and what you should do before building a college list. She’ll also reveal the top ten things colleges are looking for in an applicant and the five most important areas to explore on your college visit.

Practice PSAT (Grades 7-11) Saturday, October 13th From 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Registration begins September 21. Taking the PSAT on October 17th or 20th? Here’s your last chance to practice before the real thing! Even if you’re not taking the real test this year, 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 (which will be mailed to you 7-10 business days following the test). Don't forget a #2 pencil and calculator!

College Planning 101: Using Library Resources to Begin Your College Planning (For students in grades 9-12 and their parent(s)/guardian(s)) Monday, October 15th From 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Registration begins September 24.
Feeling overwhelmed by the whole college planning process? Your public library is the perfect place to start your research! During this presentation, we’ll go over FREE resources available to you, including databases to help you find scholarships and prepare for the SAT, books that will help you narrow down your choice of school, and much more!
Want more info about upcoming programs ? check out our October teen calendar here.



Around the Community:


www.internationalsteampunkcity.com (link on graphic will not work)
WHERE: Historic Speedwell Village, Speedwell Ave., Morristown


VENERABLE TALE FLIES INTO THE GROWING STAGE: BRING THE FAMILY!

PETER PAN—THE MUSICALWHEN: September 21 to October 14, Fridays at 7:30 PM; Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 PM
WHERE: The Growing Stage, The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, located in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong, New Jersey
TICKETS: Fantastic Fridays with all tickets $15! Saturday and Sunday tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors.
To place your reservation, please contact the Growing Stage Box Office at 973.347.4946 or e-mail at boxoffice@growingstage.com.
Peter Pan, like its namesake, is a tale which never ages. Children and adults alike have all fallen under the spell of Neverland, a place where children can fly and exciting, frightening adventures happen every day. RECOMMENDED for the ENTIRE FAMILY!
In 1985 Piers Chater Robinson adapted J.M. Barrie's book for the stage, and now, over 25 years later, his innovative Peter Pan musical score is well known and loved. The ever-popular characters are still there—Peter Pan, Wendy, John, Michael, the dastardly Captain Hook and his sidekick Smee, Tiger Lily, the Lost Boys, pirates, Neverland Indians, and Tinker Bell. The Growing Stage is a professional member of the Association of Actor’s Equity.

LAST WEEK TO SEE NEW ADAPTATION OF DICKENS’ CLASSIC

If you saw the STNJ adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, you won’t want to miss this adaptation (by the same adaptor) of the classic Oliver Twist. Bring the kids! Here’s the review by Ruth Ross at NJartsmaven.com :
REVIEW: A BREATHTAKING “OLIVER TWIST” @ STNJ
Charles Dickens'
OLIVER TWIST Adapted by Neil Bartlett
Directed by Brian B. Crowe
WHEN: September 12 - October 7; Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday and Opening Night at 7:30 PM; Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM
WHERE: Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, F.M. Kirby Theatre, Drew University campus, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road), Madison
TICKETS: $32 to $70. Student rush tickets are available for $10
Order ticket packages or single tickets HERE or call the box office at 973.408.5600
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has a very inventive production on the Main Stage through October 7. …a thrilling evening of theater. Featuring an ensemble of 12 actors who play myriad roles (with the superb Ames Adamson as Fagin and Jeffrey M. Bender as Bill Sikes), this dynamic new vision of Dickens’ familiar classic will delight young and old. Filled with music and colorful characters, the visceral landscape of Victorian England's underworld comes to life in this exciting and theatrical adaptation.

Oliver Twist is the perfect tale for election season when we are arguing over how much government owes to the poor. Of course, we don't have workhouses for orphans in this country, but the British government allotment in 1837 to feed these creatures was too low by a half, and most of that lined the pockets of the people running the institutions. And young people turning to crime just to survive, or becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs isn't a problem inimical to 1837; it faces America today. Unfortunately, although Dickens' syntax and diction may have gone "out of style," his concerns have not.
Once again, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey shows us what a class act they are. If you have seen their production of Neil Bartlett's adaptation of A Christmas Carol, you know the magic he can work with text. Add to that STNJ's wonderful way with acting and staging, and you've got a breathtaking production of Oliver Twist that should not be missed. read more of the njartsmaven.com review.
Oliver Twist as adapted by Neil Bartlett will be performed at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, through October 7. For information and tickets, call the box office at 973.408.5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.


RVCC has lots of enrichment programs for Youth this Fall – check out their catalog here: http://www.raritanval.edu/uploadedFiles/cce/cfa/youth-programs_fall2012.pdf

What's your favorite Somerset County history site? Mark your calendar to tour and enjoy 27 of them at Weekend Journey Through the Past! October 13-14.

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission has designated the weekend of October 13 & 14, 2012, "Weekend Journey through the Past." Twenty-seven (27) of the County's significant historic sites will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and 12:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Along with the addition of four “first time” participating sites this year, a Kids/Family Detective activity, What in the World is That?, is being planned to complement the various special exhibits, programs, and tours planned at each historic site. Free parking and admission to all sites.

This annual event is a perfect opportunity for a family outing. Many of the sites have significant Revolutionary War histories and have contributed to the area's designation as the "Crossroads of the American Revolution State Heritage Area". Local historians will be on hand to share their knowledge and stories about Somerset County's history. 

RVCC Planetarium has a variety of Saturday and Holiday shows for Children. Click HERE for a complete 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!


There are lots more things to do around our community. Look at the “Useful Websites for Families” (on the right side of this blog – click the headline if you are reading this as an email) for many more options!

Let Your Fingers Do More Walking:

Arsenic in Rice: New Report Finds 'Worrisome Levels'

Consumer Reports magazine is warning Americans to limit how much rice they eat because of concerns over arsenic and the FDA is investigating the matter.  Read more.

Bias persists against women of science, study says
http://www.alternet.org/gender/why-do-some-professors-still-think-women-science-students-are-stupid

Science professors at U.S. universities widely regard female undergraduates as less competent than male students with the same accomplishments and skills, a new study by researchers at Yale concluded.





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10 Best Educational Websites for Kids (that are free!)

September 27, 2012  By Melissa Taylor
1. PBS Kids
Find all your favorite PBS characters, each with learning games for kids to play: Clifford, Curious George, SuperWhy, The Cat in the Hat, and lots more.
2. Wonderopolis
Discover a new wonder each day. Wonders are amazing facts and intriguing questions such as: Why are they called Lava Lamps? What Badger has a sweet tooth?
3. National Geographic Little Kids
National Geographic Little Kids features games, crafts and recipes, science, videos, and animal information. It's perfect for the 5 and under crowd.
4. National Geographic Kids
Games, videos, information, cool photos, and more will keep your kids engaged and learning on this educational site.
5. Fun Brain
Math and reading video-like games like math baseball and Mad Libs Junior. 
6. Whyville
Tweens hang out in Whyville to play learning games and socialize.
7. Pottermore
J.K. Rowling created this site so kids could read the books and do interactive features and games.
8. Spatulatta
Get into cooking on this kid-friendly cooking website with lots of videos and recipes.
9. NGA Kids
This website gives users art adventures and activities from the National Gallery of Art.
10. Yahoo Kids
This is the least educational of all the choices since the site includes both games and videos of all sorts. But, kids can find lots to learn on this interactive website like homework help, learning about science, and access to an encyclopedia. 
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