Bridgewater Library introduces a new weekly storytime & craft at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Lots of fun holiday happenings for your whole family around the community and the web as well.

 

Note: Starting in January, this blog will no longer be affiliated with the Bridgewater Library branch, however Carol Simon Levin ("Miss Carol") will continue to blog about Bridgewater Library branch programs and area events as "Out & About in Bridgewater" on this site. The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey will also be launching a new Youth Services electronic newsletter in January 2017. Sign up here (http://eepurl.com/cfWDTT) to receive the new SCLSNJ Youth Services Newsletter hot off the virtual press!

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@ THE BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY IN DECEMBER

(Both preschoolers and school-aged kids are welcome to join us at our new Tuesday 4:30 p.m. After School Storytime & Craft as well as our Wednesday Night Pajama Time Storytime)

Click HERE to register for programs.

Join us for some stories & songs celebrating gifts & giving then decorate your own wrapping paper and thank you cards.

@ the Library -- Displays:

Thanks & Giving – Find ideas for Do-It-Yourself Gifts atop our Magazine Section.

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Save your boxes, paper towel rolls, leftover ribbon & wrapping paper and bring them and your whole family to the library to create a fantastical creature!

Join us as we celebrate our  authors and illustrators who created a book during National Writing Month. Authors will receive their spiral-bound copies, then be celebrated at this author reading and reception. Books will then be displayed in our lobby display cases during the month of January. Please let us know if you and your family are coming. Click HERE to register for programs.

There will be plenty of holiday cookies to decorate and eat, but only one cookie decorator will win a prize! Woo-hoo! Music will be played to get us in a festive spirit as we compete! Wear an ugly holiday sweater or something festive!  Click HERE to register for programs.

And don’t forget – you can attend programs at any of our TEN member libraries – just click on the “Events/Programs” tab at the top of our home page (or on the right side of our children’s home page) for schedules and information.

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Warm ideas for Cold Days and Nights --

Multicultural winter holiday books for kids (new list!)  Check out this latest booklist from Erica at WhatDoWeDoAllDay.com along with some great suggestions on how to entertain your little ones without electronics: Brilliantly easy ideas your kids can do while you have a coffee
Also her: Sibling kindness advent calendar (one of her most popular ideas!)

Looking for some ideas for your preschoolers? Check out this list of intensely easy activities for 2-5 year olds that any parent can set up with no fuss at the drop of a hat.

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Holiday Happenings Around Our Community:

“A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL” RETURNS TO THE GROWING STAGE

A Christmas Carol the Musical
based on the story by Charles Dickens
music by Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid)
lyrics by Lynn Ahrens (Seussical)
book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens
directed by Stephen L. Fredericks, The Growing Stage’s Executive Director
choreography by Jillian Petrie
musical direction by Stephen Fox.

WHEN: November 18^th through December 18^th with performances Friday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 4:00 PM.
WHERE: in the Historic Palace Theatre on Route 183 in Netcong
TICKETS: The Growing Stage continues FUN-tastic Fridays with all tickets $15! Saturday and Sunday tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children.
To purchase tickets, visit our website at www.growingstage.com or contact the Box Office at (973) 347-4946. Group rates and Birthday Party packages are available.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL the Musical tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a prosperous curmudgeon who believes personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful “Happy Christmas” before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him. A CHRISTMAS CAROL the Musical features the talents of five professional equity performers in the cast.

 

For tickets or more info, visit www.rvccarts.org

The Alien Who Stole Christmas
Saturdays and Sundays, December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 3:00 pm
Discover the stars visible in the winter sky.  Then follow Santa on a trip through the solar system when a friendly alien kidnaps him.  The kids on the other planets need presents too, you know! (recommended for ages 6-10)
Winter Wonder Lights
Saturdays and Sundays, December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18 at 4:00 pm
Saturdays, Dec 3, 10, 17 at 8:00 pm
Listen to holiday hits such as “Wizards in Winter,” “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” and “Dominic the Donkey.” (recommended for ages 6-adult)
Black Holes
Saturdays, December 10 & 17, 7 pm
Black Holes takes you on a journey through one of the most mystifying, awe-inspiring phenomena in the universe: a black hole.  Where do they come from?  Where do they go?  How do we find them?  Is there one on Earth's horizon?  Explore the science and mystery of Black Holes. (Recommended for ages 8 to adult)

For more info, visit: www.raritanval.edu/community-resources/planetarium/star-shows

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Your family can also turn outgrown shoes into a gift for the less fortunate…check out how at www.soles4souls.org
Share the book New Old Shoes to learn more.

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SOMETHING MERRY THIS WAY 2016 COMES to stnj

It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
(full-length version)
Adapted by Joe Landry
Directed by Doug West

Something Merry This Way Comes is an antidote to the commercial glitz and blitz that permeates our lives each year at the holiday time with this refreshing, nostalgic celebration of all the good things that the season symbolizes and encourages.

WHEN: Monday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: 36 Madison Ave., Madison (on Drew University campus)www.ShakespeareNJ.org
(973) 408 - 5600

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

BUY TICKETS

  On the Main Stage:

A Child's Christmas in Wales comes to the Main Stage at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre! 

DISCOVER THE SECRET OF HAPPINES WITH “DADDY LONG LEGS” @ GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE THIS SEASON!

Based on the classic novel that inspired the 1955 movie
starring Fred Astaire

In this award-winning new musical, a witty young woman’s wishes are answered when an anonymous young gentleman she nicknames Daddy Long Legs gives her the opportunity to move from her orphanage and attend university.  Over the years, Jerusha shares her life with her secret benefactor through letters and songs, and experiences her first budding romance with a young suitor. 

Climate Change Late Night

Visit us on Wednesday, December 7th for our monthly late night event. Explore how Earth's climate has changed over time and what scientists predict for the future.

Demonstrations, arts and crafts and educational activities will be set up around the museum for this event and people are welcome to come and go as they please. We encourage all ages to come participate and learn something new!

For more information about our late night events, please check out the Late Night at the Museum page.

• Late Nights at the Rutgers University Geology Museum

No registration required and all events this day are free.

Date and Time: Wednesday 07 December 2016, 04:00pm - 08:00pm

Location :  Rutgers University Geology Museum

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For more information, visit morrisparks.net.

www.morrisparks.net/index.php/media/special-events3 has many more events for your whole family.

Happy Thanksgiving!…Give back to the community by donating Food for a Family or Books for Kids who don’t have them. Don’t Forget–If you’ve been writing and illustrating a book to bring it to the library by December 5th!

Note: Starting in January, this blog will no longer be affiliated with the Bridgewater Library branch, however Carol Simon Levin ("Miss Carol") will continue to blog about Bridgewater Library branch programs and area events as "Out & About in Bridgewater" on this site. The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey will also be launching a new Youth Services electronic newsletter in January 2017. Sign up here (http://eepurl.com/cfWDTT) to receive the new SCLSNJ Youth Services Newsletter hot off the virtual press!

The goal of the Adopt-A-Family program is to make Somerset County the first in New Jersey to feed all of its needy residents. To stay up to date with Somerset County events and information, sign up for free email alerts at www.co.somerset.nj.us/subscribe.html.  The Bridgewater Library also collects non-perishable food donations year round in our lobby.

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"This Holiday Season, Make a Difference in a Child’s Life..."
The Bridgewater Library will be accepting donations of new (and like new) books through December 5th. These will be distributed to children and teens throughout New Jersey who have limited access to books.

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Pick up instructions and materials in the Youth Services Department.

@ THE BRIDGEWATER LIBRARY

Click HERE to register for all programs.

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NEW: Tuesday Story/Craft Programs.  Join us at 10 or 1:30 on Tuesday November 29th for family stories
and a craft.
No Registration Required.

Note: Starting December 6th, our afternoon Story/Craft program will be moving to 4:30 p.m. so that school-aged kids can join in the fun! 

Click HERE to register for all programs.

Click HERE to register for all programs.

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Let Your Fingers Do (More) Walking:


‘Tis the season to be thankful – and to share our blessings …

Here’s a nice way to celebrate this holiday season – make a “Thankful Tree” – details here.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD’S LIFE… DONATE A NEW BOOK TO BOOKS FOR KIDSBooks for Kids: The library is collecting new and very gently used books for infants to Young Adults through December 5th. Books will be given to less fortunate children in NJ. Consider donating a book – collection box is at the entrance to the Children’s Room.


Your family can also turn outgrown shoes into a gift for the less fortunate…check out how at www.soles4souls.org
Share the book New Old Shoes to learn more.

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A little Seasonal Treat -- The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven  (words: Jack Prelutsky, chorus: Cathy Darby – local NJ librarian)  Tune: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”

The turkey shot out of the oven
and rocketed into the air,
it knocked every plate off the table
and partly demolished a chair.
Chorus: Oh my, oh me, why didn’t I follow the recipe?                                
Oh my, oh me, why didn’t I follow the recipe! 


It ricocheted into a corner
and burst with a deafening boom,
then splattered all over the kitchen,
completely obscuring the room. Chorus
It stuck to the walls and the windows,
it totally coated the floor,
there was turkey attached to the ceiling,
where there'd never been turkey before. Chorus
It blanketed every appliance,
It smeared every saucer and bowl,
there wasn't a way I could stop it,
that turkey was out of control. Chorus
I scraped and I scrubbed with displeasure,
and thought with chagrin as I mopped,
that I'd never again stuff a turkey
with popcorn that hadn't been popped. Chorus

And if you’d like to learn a towel-folding trick to amuse the guests at your Thanksgiving table, check out the directions here: http://carolsimonlevin.blogspot.com/search?q=towel+folding

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AROUND THE COMMUNITY:

1. Fly Tier's Symposium, Garden State Exhibit Center
2. Up with the Birds: Fall Migrants and Returning Winter Visitors, Duke Farms
3. One Ocean, One Sky, Planetarium at RVCC
4. Shanghai Acrobats, State Theatre New Jersey
5. Hassle-Free Holiday event, Bridgewater Commons Mall
6. Remembering Elvis, Brook Arts Center
7. Talkin' Turkey, Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
8. The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, The Theatre at RVCC
9. Thanksgiving Floral Arrangement Class, North Branch Park
10. Fireside Chat: Spy of the Revolutionary War, Wyckoff-Garretson House

Check out our full calendar of events!

November Planetarium Schedule

During the holiday season, there are many things to be thankful for: Friends, Family, and RVCC Planetarium being a place to gather with those loved ones.

Visit our website Observatory  Weather permitting, the 3M Observatory will be open to the public on Saturday evenings from sunset to about 9:15 p.m.

Visit our website   Just-for-Kids Saturdays, November 19  ~Astronomyths   3:00 pm ~Laser Pop Rock 4:00 pm These shows are for ages 3-8.     (Check our website for full details of shows and age recommendations)

Visit our website Adult Astronomy Shows (Ages 10 and above) Saturdays   One Ocean, One Sky 7:00 pm November  19   (Check our website for full details of shows and age recommendations)

Visit our website One Ocean, One Sky 7:00 pm November 12 & 19 Before there were GPS signals available on our hand-held devices, people on the move used the sky to find their way.  Produced by the Imiloa Science Center in Hawaii, "One Ocean, One Sky" introduces us to the sky of the Pacific seafaring navigators, who were able to sail from Hawaii to Japan and many islands in between.  We will also discover how different the sky looks from our 40 degrees north latitude to theirs at 20 degrees north.  (Check our website for full details of shows and age recommendations)

 

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