What’s happening in Central Jersey: Aug. 27 and later
- Meet Young Adult author Karen Bao at Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater on Friday, Aug. 28.
- Grants awards to 20 public libraries in Union County for children’s programming and materials
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties holding Backpack & School Supply Giveaway.
- ‘Farm to Fork: A Celebration of Local Foods & Farms’ will be presented on Sunday, Aug. 30, at Alba Vineyard & Winery in Milford.
BRIDGEWATER
Young Adult author Bao to be at Barnes & Noble on Aug. 28
Meet Young Adult author Karen Bao at Barnes & Noble on Friday, Aug. 28.
Bao is the author of “Dove Arising,” the first book in a science fiction trilogy for ages 10 and older. Bao will discuss the writing and editing process and what it is like to be published at a young age.
The event begins at 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble is at the Somerset Shopping Center, 319 Route 202. Call 908-526-7425.
Visit http://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061720347-0. For more information on Bao, visit www.karenbao.com.
CENTRAL JERSEY
Getting the new school year off to a good start
As back-to-school time approaches, Kiddie Academy directors in the Somerville area offer parents some advice to help get the new school year off to a strong start.
The key, according to the educators from this educationally-focused child care provider, is to make certain that your child knows what to expect, feels familiar with his school environment, and is already on a sleep and meal schedule that revolves around school routines — before the school year begins.
“Parents need to begin transitioning children into the back-to-school routine early enough so they have time to adjust — mentally and physically,” said Richard Peterson, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy® Educational Child Care, in a prepared statement. “Waiting until right before school begins is not an effective strategy for a smooth start to the school year.”
To help parents get kids back into the school routine, area Kiddie Academy Directors offer the following tips:
Beginning now:
• Get children excited: Get your children ready for school by making back-to-school shopping a family affair. During a shopping trip for new school supplies, let children cross off items from their lists as they fill the cart. This will keep them involved and excited during the process.
• Establish a school year schedule: A few weeks before school begins, set — and stick to — a realistic bedtime to allow children to get the recommended 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night.
• Play school: Gather books, paper, pencils, and crayons and play school with your children. Let them be the teachers and you be the student. As you play, ask your children how they feel about starting school. This is a great time to talk about anxieties or concerns they may have as they start a new school year.
As opening day approaches:
• Back-to-school activities: Find out about back-to-school activities or events, such as meet and greet with teachers. This is a great opportunity to get your children familiar with their school surroundings and comfortable with their new teachers.
• Practice the morning routine with children: Before the first day of school, figure out how long it will take for everyone to get out of the house on time. If your children will be walking to school, practice the route showing them where to stop and if necessary, how to cross the street. If your children are bus riders, show them where to catch the bus and review the bus rules.
• Get your own routine in check: Make sure you know what you need to keep the busy morning schedule running smoothly. To make more time in the morning, consider handling the following at night: setting the coffee maker, preparing lunches and reviewing homework. And, practice your new routine before the stress of the school year really hits.
To speak with a local Kiddie Academy director about tips for transitioning back to school or to learn more about Kiddie Academy in the Somerville area, visit www.kiddieacademy.com or contact: Kirin Patel at Kiddie Academy of Bridgewater at 908-842-0020; Jayesh Patel at Kiddie Academy of Florham Park at 973-399-2200 or Rick Burghli at Kiddie Academy of North Brunswick at 732-422-2900.
CENTRAL JERSEY
‘Shop For A Cause’ charity event to be held Aug. 29
Macy’s invites customers to participate in its 10th annual national “Shop For A Cause” charity event on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Macy’s “Shop For A Cause” is a one-day only shopping event created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts. Since 2006, the program has helped raise tens of millions of dollars for thousands of charities across the country.
Additionally, Macy’s has designated the March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization in support of pregnancy and baby health, as its national in-store and online beneficiary of “Shop For A Cause.” Customers will be invited to give $5 to the March of Dimes at any Macy’s register and receive a savings pass valid for 30 percent off all-day on regular, sale and clearance merchandise, including home, 25 percent off designer apparel collections for men and women, Impulse, designer handbags, men’s shoes, Wacoal, Tumi, Wustoff, Henkels, Kate Spade home and All Clad, as well as 10 percent off on electrics, electronics, watches, furniture, mattresses and area rugs all day on Saturday, Aug. 29. Exclusions apply. See savings pass or visit macys.com/sfac for details. Customers are also eligible to win a $500 gift card.
“For the last nine years, Macy’s ‘Shop For A Cause’ has offered an easy way for our customers and associates to give back to their communities while enjoying great savings,” said Martine Reardon, Macy’s chief marketing officer, in a prepared statement. “In addition to supporting thousands of local charities, we are honored to partner with the March of Dimes as our national in-store and online beneficiary, continuing to help make a positive difference in the lives of families nationwide.”
Customers can also shop online at www.macys.com on Aug. 29, and purchase a 25 percent off savings pass to benefit the March of Dimes.
“Year-after-year, Macy’s, their associates and customers continue to show their commitment to mom and baby health by taking part in ‘Shop For A Cause,’ ” said James Young, New Jersey state director, March of Dimes, in a prepared statement. “The funds raised are critical to help us fund our innovative research into the nation’s number one killer of babies, premature birth. ‘Shop For A Cause’ gives every family an opportunity to save on back-to-school items, but more importantly, help their community and make baby health a national priority.”
Last year’s ‘Shop For A Cause’ one-day shopping event raised more than $2.8 million nationwide to help the March of Dimes give more babies in our community a fighting chance for a healthy start in life. Programs for moms and babies in New Jersey that have benefited from those funds over the last year include:
• Preconception and interconception education — Educating women and their families about the importance of being as healthy as possible before a first pregnancy, or between pregnancies. For example, teaching women how to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, the importance of avoiding tobacco and alcohol use, and taking a multivitamin containing folic acid to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.
• Enhanced prenatal care — Supports services that make prenatal care more accessible to women who otherwise might not be able to have regular appointments with a health care provider during their pregnancy. This also includes services to address certain conditions that may put a woman at higher risk of preterm labor or other complications of pregnancy. Examples include smoking cessation and substance abuse services, nutrition and weight management counseling, and screening for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
• Health professional education and training — Meeting the needs of health professionals for timely, accurate and practical information to help them provide the best possible care for their patients.
For more information about Macy’s “Shop For A Cause,” visit macys.com/shopforacause.
With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies®, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit www.marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org.
CENTRAL JERSEY
New website to give information to protect pets, livestock in emergency
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher recently announced the launching of a new website at www.animalemergency.nj.gov that will provide the public with up-to-the minute information they would need to protect their pets and livestock in times of emergency.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Animal Emergency Response website and its companion mobile and tablet sites provide resources for animal owners to prepare for disasters of all kinds. It gives them resources on what they can do prior to, during and after emergencies.
“New Jersey has faced many emergencies, both large and small, in the last several years and we know that people feel very strongly about protecting their animals in those situations,” said Fisher in a prepared statement. “Our new website gives folks the resources they need to care for their animals in those trying times and also keep themselves safe in the process.”
The website is provided in various formats to ensure access to its information whether at home or on-the-go. The site is interactive, allowing people to simply type in their location to find the nearest help available, including animal shelter, veterinary hospitals, offices of emergency management, feed stores, county fairgrounds and Rutgers Cooperative Extension offices.
In the event of an emergency, a “ticker” will be visible on the home page displaying real-time messages.
The site has species-specific information for preparing for, during and after emergencies, describes County Animal Response Teams, and has information about disaster assistance.
“We learned a lot from past disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy, and we know that preparing ahead of time for such events will make things easier not only for animal owners but also first-responders,” said Dr. Manoel Tamassia, New Jersey State Veterinarian, in the statement. “We ask that everyone spread the word and bookmark this site on your home computers, tablets and smart phones.”
The creation of the website was made possible by a grant to NJDA by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
MILFORD
Nine chefts to be featured at Alba Vineyard & Winery event
“Farm to Fork: A Celebration of Local Foods & Farms” will be presented on Sunday, Aug. 30, at Alba Vineyard & Winery.
Nine chefs will be featured: Chef Andre de Waal of Andre’s Restaurant and dre’s; Chef Mike Carrino of Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastrolounge; Chef Bill Dorrler and Kevin Knevals, Osteria Morinin & Altamarea Restaurant Group; Cheft David Felton of Ninety-Acres at Natirar; Chef Jesse Jones, private chef for celebrities, caterer and host of Chef Jesse Live; Chef George Mandakas, Big Bang Kitchens; Chef Dan Rothman, Whole Foods Regional Metro Chef for Northern New Jersey; and Jonathan and Nina White of Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse.
Seating is $150. Visit www.foodshedalliance.org or call 908-362-7967.
Alba Vineyard & Winery is at 269 Route 627. Visit www.albavineyard.com.
MORRISTOWN
Third annual ukulele festival begins Aug. 28
The Folk Project presents Uke New Jersey 3, its third annual ukulele festival, at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship.
The festival starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, with a concert featuring Craig Chee, Steve Boisen and Christine DeLeon.
Workshops will be offered all day Saturday, Aug. 29, starting at 9:30 a.m. with classes for all, from absolute beginners to accomplished uke players. Each session will have something for everyone. As in the past, there will be vendors selling ukes, strings, tuners, song books, art work, food, etc., as well as an open mic and plenty of opportunities for spontaneous jam sessions.
The night of Saturday, Aug. 29, features another concert at 7:30 pm with performers Li’l Rev, Sarah Maisel and Jim and Liz Beloff.
The festivities extend into Sunday, Aug. 30, with a Jam in the Park, hosted by the Morristown Uke Jam, a local ukulele Meetup group. The jam will be held on the Morristown Green. Check the Folk Project website for details or call 908-229-1214.
The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship is at 21 Normandy Heights Road.
Register at ukenj.folkproject.org. For more information, call 908-229-1214 or email ukenj@folkproject.org
Pricing is as follows: Full event, $80; Saturday workshops only, $50; Saturday workshops and Saturday concert, $65; Friday concert or Saturday concert only, $20. Ages 12 and younger are admitted free, but must be listed on their parent’s or guardian’s registration form. All attendees 16 and younger must be accompanied by a paid parent or guardian. Student discounts are available. Call 908-229-1214 for more information.
NEW BRUNSWICK
Backpack & School Supply Giveaway to be held on Aug. 27
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties is conducting a Backpack & School Supply Giveaway.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties will distribute new backpacks and school supplies to local children in need of these items to start school.
Distribution will be conducted from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 1 Kirkpatrick St., #3. Supplies are limited and first come, first served.
For further details, call 732-444-3541 or email kambrosio@bbbsmmc.org.
READINGTON
Learn about the Lenni Lenape tribe on Aug. 28
Susan Plaisted, proprietress of Heart to Hearth Cookery, a food history business based in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, will lecture about the local Native American tribe, the Lenni Lenape, on Friday, Aug. 28.
Plaisted will discuss transportation, housing, village life, gardening and foodways.
Plaisted holds a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition and a master’s degree in health education. Her specialty is American and Native American food during the Colonial Period.
The lecture runs from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bouman-Stickney Farmstead Barn on 114 Dreahook Road in the Stanton section of the township. For GPS users, type in Lebanon for the town. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call 908-236-2327 or email readingtonmuseums@gmail.com. For directions, visit www.readingtonmuseums.org.
UNION COUNTY
Public libraries awarded grants for children’s programming and materials
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has announced the 2015 Union County Library Grant awards to 20 public libraries in Union County for children’s programming and materials.
The new grant opportunity seeks to expand, create, and enhance programming offered to children by libraries within Union County.
Administered through a Trust Fund established with non-tax dollars, the grant opportunity made available more than $73,000 to support 20 Union County public libraries.
Examples of projects eligible for funding through this grant opportunity include: technology upgrades; educational programming; purchase of books, videos, and audio tapes; creation or expansion of summer and fall programming; and planning documents.
Here is a list of the public libraries, and the amount awarded:
• Berkeley Heights Public Library, $1,935.40.
• Clark Public Library, $3,623.
• Cranford Public Library, $4,000.
• Elizabeth Free Public Library, $4,000.
• Fanwood Memorial Library, $4,248.
• Garwood Free Public Library, $400.
• Hillside Free Public Library, $4,385.
• Kenilworth Public Library, $3,997.15.
• Linden Free Public Library, $3,345.
• Mountainside Public Library, $4,058.
• New Providence Memorial Library, $3,560.
• Plainfield Free Public Library, $3,050.
• Rahway Public Library, $2,000.
• Roselle Free Public Library, $3,972.
• Roselle Park Veterans Memorial Library, $5,531.12.
• Scotch Plains Public Library, $3,915.
• Springfield Free Public Library, $3,395.
• Summit Free Public Library, $3,500.
• Union Free Public Library, $5,543.96.
• Westfield Memorial Library, $4,800.