EVENTS: Pump It Up For Platelets 5K; Music at Moorland

It's hard to think about planning any activities over the next few days without taking the heat into account.

How about taking a nice cool picnic meal to Thursday night's perennial favorite fireworks show in the Somerset Hills, which heralds the arrival of summer — . Fireworks and music begin when the sun goes down.

And you can drop by at other hours at your local library. But this Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., the invites the public to cool down while heating up their artistic sensibilities with a "virtual" tour of the latest Newark Museum tour — on Southern painting, so you can pretend you're in Savannah or the Carolinas when you leave the building, and walk out into a steamy summer night.

The heat is expected to break — along with showers — on Friday. But then we have to wonder how that will affect the Oh well, there are some indoor activities on this list as well.

Virtual Newark Library Tour at Bernards Library
When/Where: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at the Bernards Township Library, 32 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Anne Swartz of the Savannah College of Arts and Design will return to the library to present another installment in her popular “Current Exhibits” series with this stunning visual lecture on the Newark Museum’s exhibit entitled Romare Bearden:  Southern Recollections. Featuring about 80 works of art.
Cost: Free and cool!

Music at Moorland
When/Where: Gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at Moorland Farm off Route 202 in Far Hills for the annual Music at Moorland festival. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks to follow at nightfall.
Why Go: Eleganace mixes with family fun, as fancy as a meal in an official party tent or a picnic on the lawn. Beautiful setting, lovely music and fireworks by Grucci of Long Island, known worldwide for pyrotechnics.
Cost: $30 for adults, free for children under 14. For tickets, visit www.musicatmoorland.com or call 908-685-2500. Tickets also may be purchased in advance at these local merchants.

Pump It Up for Platelets 5K Walk/Run
When/Where: Saturday at 10 a.m. at (Event begins at the Hut), 3405 Valley Road, Basking Ridge.
Why Go: This year's fundraiser for the New Jersey Chapter of PDSA (Platelet Disorder Support Association) also honors the memory of Erik Anderson, 18, of Bridgewater, who passed away on May 16, 2011 due to complications of a bone marrow transplant.
Cost: $20, $10 for young people under age 18; register online or email: NJPDSA@gmail.com.

When/Where: Friday, 6:15 p.m. at Morristown Jewish Center
Why Go: You want to enjoy some traditional music before the Sabbath.
Cost: Free

When/Where: Saturday, 10 a.m. (also on Sunday) at Historic Speedwell Village, Morristown.
Why Go: You're a history buff; you don't know much about history (but would like to). .
Cost: $7

When/Where: Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Morris County Courthouse (meet at Morris Tourism Bureau right across the street).
Why Go: See "Civil War Weekend" explanation.
Cost: $12

When/Where: Saturday, 3 p.m. from the Green in Morristown
Why Go: You're a young professional and this sounds like a lot of fun.
Cost: $20

When/Where: Saturday, 8 p.m. at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Why Go: You can't get enough 80s English synth pop (here's a sample).
Cost: $37-$57

When/Where: Sunday, 4 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church in Morristown
Why Go: You want to enjoy some free music before these phenoms start their multi-state tour.
Cost: Free

When/Where: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 25 Greenwood Trail in Jefferson.
Why Go: To benefit the Jefferson Pound, funding toward a dog trail in Jefferson and 11th Hour Rescue
Cost: Pay what you please

When/Where: Saturday at 11 a.m. at the
Why Go: To get a new cutie to add to your family and help a pet
Cost: Free