There’s no excuse for cabin fever this week in Bernards Township. Programs relating to all types of hobbies and interests are underway at the library, the Environmental Education Center, the Senior Wellness Center and the YMCA.  While some require advance registration and fees, others are free and can be enjoyed on a drop-in basis. It’s a great time to try something new and expand your horizons.

In addition, there’ s some interesting theatre to attend at the Ridge Performing Arts Center. From Friday through Sunday, the Front & Center Performing Arts School will present two very different shows. “Wild Party” is geared primarily for adults while the other, “13 The Musical” is a family, kid-centric show. Each show will have evening and matinee performances. Front & Center is located in Springfield, and is well known for encouraging and training many of the area’s talented youth.

If you have yet settle on your fitness regimen this winter, take advantage of the YMCA’s open house on Sunday afternoon. At either of the Y’s two facilities try a free classes, throw in for a raffle and learn more about all that the Y has to offer.

Monday - Martin Luther King Day
Township offices, the Bernards Township Library and the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center are closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. 

Tuesday

Toddler Time (16-30 months) - Bernards Township Library, 9:30 to 10 a.m. Interactive story time for 16-30 month olds accompanied by an adult. Child's birthday should fall between July 1, 2008 and Sept. 1, 2009. Registration required. Program room A.

Knitters & Crocheters - Bernards Township Library, 10 a.m. to noon and 7 to 9 p.m. Bring your current project and join others in sharing tips, techniques and ideas. Program room B.

Preschool Story Time 31/2 - 5 years old - Bernards Township Library, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Stories, fingerplays, and songs for 3 1/2  to 5 year olds. Child's birthday should come before July 1, 2007. Registration required. Program room A.

Bridge (Seniors) - Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Majong (Seniors) - Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
“Computers for the Visually Impaired” -Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 11 a.m. Dewitt Associates in conjunction with the Commission of the Blind launches this 8 week class tutoring students on basic computer skills with the use of magnifying glasses and special software programs.

Frogsicles and Popsicles - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd,  110:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ages 3 to 5 with a parent. $10.

Whale of a Tail - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd, 4 to 5:3o p.m. Ages 4 to 6. $10.

Knitting Doctor - Bernards Township Library, 1 to 3 p.m. Sammi Sherwin, Craft Yarn Council of America Certified Knitting Instructor, will be available in the Library by appointment for free one-on-one help with knitting problems. Registration is required. 

Bernards Book Buddies Gr. 3 & 4 - Bernards Township Library, 4 to 4:45 p.m. The 3rd and 4th grade book club will discuss Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's book 'The Boys Start the War' at this month's meeting.  Copies are available at the Children's Desk. Program room A.

Planning Board Meeting - Bernards Township Town Hall,  1 Collyer Lane, Court Room, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday 

Free Metabolic Syndrome Screening - Somerset HIlls YMCA 140 Mt. Airy Rd., 9 to 11 a.m. Determine your risk for heart disease and Type II diabetes.

Toddler Time (16-30 Months) - Bernards Township Library, 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to 11 a.m. Interactive story time for 16-30 month olds accompanied by an adult.  Child's birthday should come between July 1, 2008 and Sept. 1, 2009. Registration required. Program room A.

Preschool Story Time 3 1/2 to 5 years old - Bernards Township Library, 1 to 1:30 p.m., and 2 to 2:30 p.m. Stories, fingerplays and songs for 3  1/2  to 5 year olds. Child's birthday should come before July 1, 2007. Registration required. Program room A.

Zumba Gold for Seniors –  Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd. Every Wednesday 1 to 2 p.m. For seniors, free of charge. Registration required.

Mandala Watercolors -  Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 10:45 a.m. Watercolor winter themes.

After School Club - Bernards Township Library, 4 to 5 p.m. For children in grades kindergarten, first and second.  Registration required. Program room A.

Teen Project Runway - Bernards Township Library, 7 to 8:15 p.m.  Love the TV show? Ty your hand at creating fashion from unconventional materials! Program room B.

Students-Helping-Students-Tutoring - Somerset HIlls YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Rd., 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free Tutoring for students in grades 3-12 by High School volunteers. Contact Sylva at the Y, 908-630-3530. 

Feed the Birds - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages 7 to 9.  $9 per person, advance registration requested.

Thursday

Baby Time (Birth - 15 Months) - Bernards Township Library, 9:30 to 10 a.m. Songs, rhymes and stories. Just drop in! No registration required. Siblings are welcome too. Program room A.

Tot Time Ages 2 1/2-3 1/2 years -Bernards Township Library, 10:30 to 11 a.m. Stories, rhymes and songs for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 year olds accompanied by an adult. Child's birthdate should come between July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2008. Registration required. Program room A.

Comics Night & Book Swap for Tweens Gr. 4-6 - Bernards Township Library, 7 to 8 p.m. Bring a comic book or graphic novel to swap, eat some delicious snacks, and watch an excerpt of 'The Cartoonist,' a film about Jeff Smith, the creator of the BONE series. Registration requested. Program room A.

Senior Flex Class - Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 10:30 a.m. For seniors, free of charge.

Free Stroke Screenings -  Somerset County Senior Wellness Center, 202 Mount Airy Rd., by the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, 1 to 4 pm. Registration Required. Please Call (908) 204-3435.

Fossils, Footprints and Fun - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 4 to 5 p.m. Ages 4-6, $6 per person, advance registration requested.

Friday 

Tot Time Ages 2 1/2-3 1/2 years - Bernards Township Library, 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 10:30 to 11 a.m. Stories, rhymes and songs for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 year olds accompanied by an adult. Child's birthdate should come between July 1, 2007 and July 2, 2008. Registration required. Program room A.

It’s a Wild World - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Ages 3-5 with parent, $6 per person, advance registration requested.

“Wild Party” - Ridge High Performing Arts Center, 268 S. Finley Ave., 7:30 p.m. Musical Theatre  presented by the Front & Center Performing Arts Studio. Book, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. For mature audiences. Tickets $20-25.
 
Saturday

Maple Sugaring Demonstrations -Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center “Sugar Shack,” see how authentic Maple Syrup is made from Maple Tree sap.

Dog Walks on the Equestrian Trails - Lord Stirling Stable, 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. sign-in. Walk is from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. $3 per dog, humans free.

Paws for Reading (Ages 6 and up) - Bernards Township Library, 2 to 3 p.m. Bring your favorite book to read for 10 minutes to a therapy dog from St. Hubert's.  Children should be at least 6 years old to register. Program room A.

“Wild Party” - Ridge High Performing Arts Center, 268 S. Finley Ave., 3 p.m. Musical Theatre  presented by the Front & Center Performing Arts Studio. Book, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. For mature audiences. Tickets $20-25.

Kids Night Out - Somerset HIlls YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Rd., 6 to 10 p.m. Children ages 2 1/2 through 13. The children will enjoy dinner, games, crafts and more. $25 for first child, $15 each additional (preregistered), $30 first child, $15 each additional (registered at the door).

“13 The Musical” - Ridge High Performing Arts Center, 268 S. Finley Ave., 7:30 p.m. Musical Theatre, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Presented by the Front & Center Performing Arts Studio. A coming-of-age, family musical. Tickets $20-$25.

Sunday 

YMCA Open House - Somerset HIlls YMCA, both locations: 140 Mt. Airy Rd. and Riverwalk, 665 Martinsville Rd., 1 to 5 p.m. Free classes, raffles and gift cards for future use at Y facilities.

Nature through a Child’s Eye - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Rd., noon to 9 to 4:30 p.m. The annual Environment and Nature Art Show will be available from 9am to 4:30pm daily except holidays.  Works from children, kindergarten through grade six, in Somerset County schools will be displayed. Free.

“13 The Musical” - Ridge High Performing Arts Center, 268 S. Finley Ave., 3 p.m. Musical Theatre, 1:30 p.m. Presented by the Front & Center Performing Arts Studio. A coming-of-age, family musical. Tickets $20-$25.

Nature Walks - Lord Stirling Environmental Education Center 190 Lord Stirling Rd., noon to 1 p.m. All ages. Children should be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Free.