This is a great week to learn something new. Between the library, the environmental education center, the YMCA and the senior center, you can pick up a new hobby, explore different facets of nature and make friends. Learning new things engages the mind and body. It stimulates and challenges us and provides us with opportunities to add to our accomplishments. It is also the best way to beat the winter blahs!
This week you can learn how to play Bridge (an excellent game for the mind) or how to ski cross county (an excellent sport for right now).
The Somerset YMCA is offering a free workshop on Nutrition for a Healthy Heart, and the Senior Wellness Center will have a class on staying young with “Keeping up the Beat.” There is even an event for soon-to-be brides at The Olde Mill Inn on how to create the perfect wedding.
For nature lovers the litany is long. There are programs on trees and critters, owls and “unhuggables,” birds, bears’ feet and more. Some are for kids but many are for adults as well. Most of the programs are only an hour or so and fees are nominal. Note that there is a full day hiking program for adults on Wednesday which will tour through the New Jersey Pine Barrens and several other local attractions.
Monday
Valentine’s Day Party with Live Jazz Music by Gordon James - , 202 Mount Airy Rd. 10:45 a.m.
Nutrition for a Healthy Heart - Somerset Hills , Riverwalk location, 665 Martinsville Rd., 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free workshop.
Environmental Commission Meeting - Town Hall, 1 Collyer Lane, 7:30 p.m., Conference room.
Board of Education Meeting - William Annin Middle School Auditorium, 101 Peachtree Rd., 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Toddler Time (16-30 months) - , 9:30 to 10 a.m. Interactive story time for 16-30 month-olds accompanied by an adult. Child's birthday should come between 7/1/08 and 9/1/09. Registration required. Program room A.
Knitters & Crocheters - , 10 a.m. to noon, Program room B.
Preschool Story Time 3 1/2 - 5 years old - , 10:30 to 11 a.m. Stories, fingerplays, and songs for 3 1/2 - 5 year olds. Child's birthday should come before July 1, 2007. Registration required. Program room A.
Knitting Doctor - , 1 to 3 p.m., Program room A.
Bridge (Seniors) - , 202 Mount Airy Rd. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Majong (Seniors) - ,, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bernards Book Buddies, Grades 3 & 4 - , 4 to 4:45 p.m., Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's book, 'The Boys Start the War.' Copies are available at the Children's Desk. Registration requested. Program room A.
Sleeping Trees - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Ages 4-6, $9.
Backyard Birding - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Ages 7-9, $9.
Sewerage Authority Regular/Reorganization Meeting - Town Hall, 1 Collyer Lane, Court Room, 6:30 p.m.
Knitters & Crocheters - , 7 to 9 p.m. Program room B.
Township Committee Meeting - Town Hall, 1 Collyer Lane, Conference Room, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Toddler Time (16-30 Months) - , 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.
Learn to Play Bridge - , 10 a.m. to noon, Richard Hartley will teach the card game Bridge over 3 consecutive Wednesdays. Registration requested, Program room B.
Preschool Story Time 3 1/2 - 5 years old - , 1 to 1:30 p.m., and 2 to 2:30 p.m. Stories, fingerplays and songs for 3 1/2 - 5 year olds. Child's birthday should come before July 1, 2007. Registration required. Program room A.
Zumba Gold for Seniors – , 202 Mount Airy Rd. Every Wednesday 1 to 2 p.m. For seniors, free of charge. Registration required.
“Keeping Up the Beat”- ,, 202 Mount Airy Rd. 10:45 a.m. by Erin Berryman, Office on Aging & Disability Services, Health Promotion Coordinator.
Free Tutoring - , Students-Helping-Students, Spanish academic support for Grades 3-12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
After School Club Grades K - 2 - , 4 to 5 p.m. Program room A.
Bear Feet and Tales - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Ages 2-3 with parent. $10 per person, $5 each additional.
Frozen Forests - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 1 to 3 p.m.. Ages 7-12. $12 per person.
Winter Walkin’ in the Pines - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A leisurely Naturalist-led walk through the New Jersey Pine Barrens, with visits to local attractions that may include Whitesbog Village, the Everet Nature Trail, the Franklin Parker Preserve or Lebanon State Forest.
Fee is $50 per adult and $40 per senior. $50 Adults, $40 Seniors.
Shade Tree Commission Meeting - Town Hall, 1 Collyer Lane, Conference Room, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Baby Time (Birth - 15 Months) - , 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 -, 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.
Senior Flex Class - , 202 Mount Airy Rd. 10:30 a.m. For seniors, free of charge.
Brides are Invited to a Knot Bridal Party - , 225 Route 202, 6 to 9 p.m. Meet The Knot editors in person with a panel of special Knot Best Pick 2011 wedding experts and learn how to create the ultimate wedding experience! Free admission for brides. Register in advance.
Board of Adjustment Special Meeting - Town Hall, 1 Collyer Lane, Court Room, 7:30 p.m.
Board of Health Meeting - 262 South Finley Ave., 8 p.m.
SAT/ACT Combo Practice - , 7 to 8 p.m. Results will be given out and discussed. Program room B.
Friday
Tot Time Ages 2 1/2-3 1/2 years - , 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.
Maple Mystery - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Learn the history of maple sugaring from theNative Americans to the modern day mass production methods. $12 per person. All ages, advance registration requested.
Captivating Critters - , 190 Lord Stirling Rd., 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Ages 3 to 5 with a parent. Meet some cool critters and learn what helps them survive in nature. Expected to appear are Rosie the red rump tarantula, hissing cockroaches from Madagascar, andother surprises. Fee is $10 per pair and $5 per additional child. Advance registration requested.
Owl Prowl - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Explore the nocturnal world of the owl with a slide show, pellet dissection and a night hike.$9 per person. All ages, advance registration requested.
Minute to Win It – , 202 Mount Airy Rd. 10:45 a.m, Practice Session (Participate in challenges based on popular television show).
Saturday
Maple Sugaring Demonstrations - , “Sugar Shack,” see how authentic Maple Syrup is made from Maple Tree sap. 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m. Open to all and free.
Introduction to Cross Country Skiing - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd., 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Children over age 10 and adults. Learn the basics of cross- country skiing including clothing, equipment, preconditioning, safety, and places to ski. $11 per adult & $9 per youth or senior. Register in advance.
Dog Walks on the Equestrian Trails - Lord Stirling Stable, 10:15 - 10:30 AM sign-in. Walk is from 10:30 a.m. to-11:30 a.m. $3 per dog, humans free.
Clue Seekers, Ages 5-8 -, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Jeanne DePodwin will lead a bilingual, multi-sensory musical journey of hide and seek, designed to engage children in discovery, music-making and interactive adventures. Program room A. Registration required.
Paws for Reading - , 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.
Registration required.
The Green Team - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd., 1to 4 p.m. Children ages 12 to 15 who have to fulfill a community service requirement for school will enjoy the educational and fun activities
at the Environmental Education Center. Free.
Sunday
The Unhuggables - ,, 190 Lord Stirling Rd., 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Get to know some animals that look creepy, icky, or scary, but are really not.
All Ages. $6 per person.
Nature Walks - , 190 Lord Stirling Rd., noon to 1 p.m. All ages. Children should be accompanied by an adult. No registration required. Free.
