Oct. 17th

Doing a Lot of Raking this Week?  Have you Ever Wondered How Many Leaves are on a Tree?  Check out the answer in this Bedtime Math Problem  “Raking It In”:

October brings cool fall weather – and the falling of leaves.  Leaves change color because the Fall sunlight is now too weak for leaves to turn carbon dioxide in the air into food.  As the chlorophyll (the green stuff) fades away, the leaves turn amazing colors, then fall off.  It’s hard to know how many leaves a tree has, but guesses for a big, mature tree range from 200,000 leaves to over 1 million!  Whatever the number, cleaning up all those leaves is a big production – but probably less work than trying to count them.
Wee ones (counting on fingers): If you rake up 2 bags of leaves and use a leaf blower to pile up 3 more bags of leaves, how many bags of leaves did you clean up?
Little kids: If you need 12 bags of leaves to make a decent leaf pile to jump in, and so far you’ve dumped 4 bags there, how many more bags do you need?  Bonus: If a bag of dry leaves weighs 70 pounds, how much do those 4 bags of leaves weigh?
Big kids: If you can stuff 25,000 leaves into every bag, how many leaves can you fit in 4 bags?  Bonus: If you can rake up 1 bag of leaves every 7 minutes, how long do you have to rake to make that awesome 12-bag leaf pile?
Click HERE for the answers.

@ the Bridgewater Library: Programs for Parents & Teachers
Parent-Teacher Workshop: Every Child Ready to Read Wednesday October 24, 2012 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library: 2nd Edition: A WORKSHOP FOR EDUCATORS, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
A new workshop for early childhood educators, parents and caregivers on the five simple practices that help children get ready to read, developed by the Association for Library Service to Children and the Public Library Association, divisions of the American Library Association. Participants will learn practical strategies and explore resources to promote early literacy. **The workshop is free of charge and open to the public. 1 ½ professional development hours will be awarded to attendees.
Register at the library of your choice.
Bridgewater Library (908) 526-4016 x126
Wednesday, October 24 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Warren Township Library (908) 754-5554 x23
Thursday, November 1 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm


Advocacy: Tourette's Association Thursday, November 1 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Registration required Presented by Allissa Letts, in association with the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, Inc.
Tourette Syndrome, an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorder, affects 1 in 100 individuals. This workshop reviews the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Tourette Syndrome and provides further information about the disorders commonly associated with a TS diagnosis. Participants have the opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to have TS via an interactive activity, and key strategies for interacting with an individual with TS will be reviewed. Professional Credit Hours will be awarded.

NEW: Monday Morning Moms Group (For parents or caregivers and children ages birth to 3 years) 10:00am-11am Join our new group where you can meet other parents, get ideas, and learn from experts! Each week will have a different theme and discussion led by a speaker. There will be some toys available for the children.
Monday, November 5th How to Make Your Own Baby Food Registration begins October 22
Monday, November 12th Caring for Your Child's First Teeth Registration begins October 29
Monday, November 26th Holiday Gift Ideas for Readers of All Ages Registration begins November 12

@ the Library: Programs for Children:

Our Sept/Oct sessions are over.  Our storytimes will resume on November 7th.  Family Storytimes (ages 2-6) 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.   No registration is required but we ask that you only attend one session each week. Full details are posted our November 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? Bridgewater Library has one on Tuesday November 6th.

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.

Special Storytime: Halloween Stories & Songs (For ages 2-6) Wednesday, October 24th at 10am No registration required Wear your costume and get a head-start on Halloween with gloriously ghoulish tales and songs! **Second session at 1:30pm.

Pumpkin Fun (Ages 3+) Saturday, October 27th 9:30-10:30am Repeats at 11am-Noon. Registration required.  Join the Bridgewater Garden Club for the annual pumpkin-decorating program! Create a fun, magnificently decorated pumpkin – you bring the pumpkin and we’ll supply the materials!
Please note: Be sure to wear a smock or old shirt as paints will be used. Please bring a box to carry home your pumpkin.

Three Ninja Pigs (NaNoWriMo for Kids) (Ages 4-8) Saturday, October 27th 2-3pm Registration required.  Join local author Corey Rosen Schwartz as she reads her latest book, 'The Three Ninja Pigs.' When the big bad wolf threatens their village, three pigs sign up for different martial arts lessons to prepare to take him down. Pig One and Pig Two don't stick with their training, though, and are no match for their foe. But after practice and dedication, Pig Three becomes great at karate (including perfecting the perfect pork chop!) and saves the day.
Once Ms. Schwartz finishes her story the fun continues, as children will have the opportunity to learn some cool ninja moves of their own, as taught by Master Patrick from Somerville Martial Arts academy.

Things with Wings (Ages 4-6) Tuesday, October 30th from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Registration Required. Yum! Buffalo wings! Wait a minute, do buffalo have wings? Well, birds are not the only animals with wings. Discover who has wings and how they are used. Flying, singing, swimming, warming up and showing off are just some of the many reasons for wings. Activities may include a craft, a hike, and a game. This program is sponsored by the Somerset County Parks Commission.

Halloween Spooktacular Party (For ages 3+) Wednesday, October 31st 3:30-4:30pm  No registration required. Crafts, games, stories, and more at this drop-in Halloween party! Make sure to wear your costumes for a parade around the library at 4:15pm!
 


Rocket Readers: 'Abe Lincoln's Hat' (Grades 1-2) Thursday, November 1st  from 4:30 pm -  5:30 pm  Registration required. An exciting program for brand new readers!  At each program we will discuss a book, play some games or create a story related craft.  Students should read the book prior to the program.  Copies of the books will be available at the Youth Services Reference Desk.  This month: Abe Lincoln’s Hat  By Martha Brenner  Abraham Lincoln always wore a tall black hat. But do you know  what else he did with it?  You’d never guess a hat could be so useful – or so important.  Read all about our 16th president in this wonderful true story.

Sciencetellers: Sundown on Sycamore Street (For grades 2+)
Saturday, November 3rd at 10:30 am  Registration required. On the edge of town there is a street called Sycamore, which holds a legend so frightening that every child in town knows never to get caught there after dark. Join us as we learn about the science of gas and air pressure by telling the tale of Bill and Terry’s adventure through town using fiery spiders, exploding water jugs, floating eyeballs, a whirlwind of toilet paper, and amazing experiments.

Toddler Dance Party (For ages 2-6) Monday, November 5th 4:30-5pm Registration begins October 22 Read, rock, and roll at the library!
Toddlers, ages 2-6, and their caregivers are invited to get their groove on at the library.  Shimmy and shake to your favorite toddler tunes!


Special Storytime: Election Day 
Tuesday, November 6th Ages 4-7    10am(Ages 6-11) 11:30am  Registration begins October 23  Come to a special program celebrating American Democracy, then create a Red, White, and Blue craft!


Kids' Club: 'Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things' (Grades 3-4)Monday, November 12th from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Registration begins October 29  'Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things'  By Lenore Look A young boy in Concord, Massachusetts, who loves superheroes and comes from a long line of brave Chinese farmer-warriors, wants to make friends, but first he must overcome his fear of everything.Join us for a chapter book club for 3rd and 4th graders. Reserve your copy early, and check at the Youth Services desk with any questions.

Family Night Storytime (All Ages) No Registration Required Tuesday November 6, 2012  7:00 PM to 7:30 PM   Wear your pj's to our new all-ages storytime with Miss Gretchen!
 


Drop-In Game Day (All ages) Thursday, November 8  All Day   Registration is not required, just come on in!  Sure, you have the day off from school, but do you really want to be sitting in your room twiddling your thumbs?
Of course not!  That's why you should join us for 'Board Game Day!'  We'll have all of your favorite board games available so that you and your friends can have fun all day long.  There'll be Scrabble, Chutes and Ladders, Connect Four, and plenty more! 

Tail Waggin' Tutors: Children Reading to Dogs (For Children of All Ages) on Thursday, November 8th. 4-5pm. Telephone or In-Person Registration Only.  Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning October 25.  Call the library at 908 526-4016 x126 for more information.
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.

Drive-In Movie (Ages 3-8) Friday, November 9
from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm  Registration begins October 26 Make your very own kid-sized car and buckle up as we watch a film! Feel free to bring your own sack lunch to eat in your car. 


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!



@ Bridgewater Library for Teens:


Keys to Unlocking Financial Aid (Grades 9-12) (For students in grades 9-12 and their parent(s)/guardian(s) Wednesday, October 24th From 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Registration required
Rana Slosberg, a a higher education consultant, discusses Financial Aid basics, presents a net price calculator, goes over the Financial Aid steps, and reveals how to increase aid and reduce your college costs.
Rana earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, a Master of Arts degree from Queens College, a Certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California Irvine Extension, and visits colleges regularly. She is a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), the New Jersey Association of College Admissions Counselors (NJACAC), and the Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP). This program is open to students in grades 9-12 and their parent(s)/guardian(s). All who plan on attending must register.

5th & 6th Grade Volunteers Monday, November 5th 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!

TAB Meeting (Grades 6-8) Tuesday, October 16th 5:30-6:30pm TAB Meeting (Grades 9-12) Tuesday October 16, 2012 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM 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!

Teen Game Day (For students in grades 6 - 12)  Saturday, November 10th   from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm   Registration begins October 19 Spend the afternoon with us as we play all kinds of games, including board games like Apples to Apples and Connect Four. We also will have a few music and video challenges. Plus there will be a crazy questions challenge.
 

Want more info about upcoming programs? Check out our November teen calendar here.


Around the Community:

LAST CHANCE TO SEE NEW CHILDREN’S MUSICAL

J.B.'s HARMONICAA new children's musical featuring the songs of John B. Sebastian and the Lovin' Spoonful. Music and Lyrics by John B. Sebastian Book by Gary P. Cohen
Based on the beloved children's book by singer/songwriter John B. Sebastian, J.B.'s Harmonica tells the delightful story of a talented family of bears, and the trials young 12-year-old J.B. faces when his father gives him a new harmonica. Featuring such classic folk-rock songs as "Do You Believe in Magic?", "What a Day for a Daydream", "Summer in the City", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?", "Nashville Cats" and many others. Great fun for all the Baby Boomers and their kids, whether human or bear!
WHEN: OCTOBER  20 at 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM
TICKETS: Adults: $3.00; Children 12 and under: $2.00
www.playsinthepark.com

Plan ahead: Halloween Haunts from http://www.visitsomersetnj.org

This year, we say, "Get down with your creepy self!" After all, if you can't do it in Halloween season, when can you? Here are several ways to get creepin' in Somerset County...
The Somerset County Park  Commission hosts Mischief Night Madness at the Colonial Park putting course on Friday October 26th (rain date 10/27). The event includes tales and a children’s hayride, as well as miniature golf of course! Those who wear a costume will receive a goodie bag, and there will be FREE cider and doughnuts available for all. Tickets cost $8 for a family of 2 and $10 for a family of 3 or more.
Creeped out yet? More options at: http://www.visitsomersetnj.org/media/e-newsletter/october-2012/halloween-haunts

BRUSH UP YOUR SHAKESPEARE, START SPEAKING HIM NOW!

Think Shakespeare doesn’t speak to you? We you speak his words every day! Two River Theater Company, gearing up for a production of Henry V, shared these sayings with Ruth Ross from njartsmaven.com :

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

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:

Imagination Soup this week features: PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT DEATH AND LOSS 

Reading books opens up conversation about difficult topics as well as gives the readers new lessons. Here are some picture books you might consider when grieving a death. 

Farewell, Grandpa Elephant: What Happens When a Loved One Dies? by Isabel Abedi, illustrated by Miriam Cordes
Grandpa Elephant goes to the grand-kids to say good-bye. It is time for him to go to the elephant graveyard to die. His grand-kids discuss the possibilities in death, where Grandpa Elephant will go – to heaven, to become a daisy or butterfly or another elephant, or turn into dust, or an invisible soul that flies.



Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie De Paolo
Young Tommy visits his grandma and his great-grandma every Sunday. One day, Nana Upstairs isn’t there any more and Tommy must say good-bye.





 

Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by Audrey Penn
Chester’s is upset because his friend, Skiddel Squirrel, has died. Chester’s mom helps Chester and his friends remember and celebrate Skiddel’s life.






The Tenth Good Thing about Barney by Judith Viorst



A book about dealing with the loss of a pet.
 
 

Sophie by Mem Fox
Sophie and her Grandpa have a close relationship. When her Grandpa dies, it’s not until she has a child of her own that the feelings of love remind her of what she had with her Grandpa.
 



 

The Memory String by Eve Bunting
Laura uses a string with buttons to remind her of her family history, the most important being her mom’s prom dress button and the button off the nightgown she wore the day she died.


 

Grandma’s Gloves by Cecil Castellucci
When Grandma dies, her granddaughter feels so sad. As she grieves, she remembers all that she learned from her Grandma.



 
 

Daddy’s Promise by Cindy Klein Cohen
Jesse’s father died and Jesse doesn’t understand. Both dreams and his mother help answer his questions about what happens and why.



 

Always and Forever by Alan Durant
Mole, Hare, and Otter don’t think they will ever get over their sadness after Fox dies. Soon they realize that Fox will always be with them in their hearts and memories.

 

You can read more at her blog about the Rainbow Reach Workbook Series and the Rainbow Roar blog, a community blog for children ages 4 – 14 for them to: share feelings and thoughts, find community, begin a grief journey, find helpful suggestions, and not feel alone. She’s offering a chance to win a Kindle Fire to the first 75 kids who register starting October 25, 2012. Visit Rainbow Roar for all the details.

Somerset County Library has also compiled an extensive BOOKLIST ON DEATH & DYING.  Pick up a copy at the library or view it at: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/kids/goodreadsdeathgeneral_new.html.