Bernards Republican Municipal Committee to meet at Bernards Township Library on Monday night, March 15, to screen candidates for Township Committee

The Republican Municipal Committee will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15, to interview and screen potential candidates who wish to represent the local Republican party in the June primary election for a three-year position on the Township Committee. The elected position would begin at the start of 2011.

The meeting is scheduled to be held downstairs in the Bernards Township Library at 32 S. Maple Ave., said Township Committeeman John Carpenter. Carpenter said the municipal committee will hear comments from potential candidates and ask questions. He said the municipal committee could then select a candidate who would receive the party's endorsement for the June primary election. The public is invited, he said

The Township Committee position expiring this year is now filled by Township Committeeman Scott Spitzer, this year's mayor in Bernards, said Carpenter.

_ Linda Sadlouskos

Bernards High School to present “Anything Goes” on March 19-21 in Bernardsville

The public is invited to join the cast and crew aboard the S.S. American as the ship sets sail with students from Bernards High School for their performance of "Anything Goes" at the Somerset Hills School District Arts Center at Bernards High School. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 19-20 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 21.

General seating admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets are available at Bernardsville Hardware and Equipment Rental, 139 Morristown Road in Bernardsville; at the front desk at Bernards High School or by emailing bhsdramatickets@yahoo.com.

Read more

Bernards High School students’ photos of images from around the world at Bernardsville Public Library

Bernards High School student photos at Bernardsville Public Library

Photographs by students from Bernards High School in Bernardsville will be on display through the remainder of March, which is Youth Art Month, in the community room at Bernardsville Public Library, 1 Anderson Hill Road, Bernardsville.

"This Is The World We Live IN" will display the talents of the young photographers at Bernards High, who have photographed a wide variety of subject matters. The photos have captured images from scenes in the mountains of Peru to the farmlands of New Jersey, according to a news release from the library. "I am very excited to see the final outcome of the fruits of the students' hard labor,'' said Dennis Babicke, photography teacher at the high school, which is attended by students from Bernardsville, Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster Township. "Everyone has been working diligently selecting and framing some of their best images for this exhibition."

The photographs will be on display during regular library hours unless a meeting is being held in the community room. For further information, call the library at 908-766-0118. Information on the library is also available at WWW.bernardsvillelibrary.org.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Meet some wild animals in Basking Ridge this Sunday, March 7

The naturalists at the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge will present a family program, “What Big Teeth You Have!” featuring Travis Gale from Eyes of the Wild. The program is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. on Sun., March 7. The Environmental Education Center is at 190 Lord Stirling Road in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township.

“What Big Teeth You Have!” will introduce nature’s incredible creatures who fight to scratch out an existence. The program will describe the survival techniques used by animals in their fight for survival. Gale will relate amazing stories about how animals find prey and escape from becoming prey for other predators. Descriptions will include the sharp claws of the raccoon-like Coatimundi, the sharp senses of Fennec Fox, the terrible teeth of the tiny short-tailed Opossum, and the ridiculous flexibility of the Ferret. Gale will bring some of his favorite furry friends as he mixes comedy, education, and wildlife from around the world.

The program is designed for both children and adults. Fee is $4 per person. Preregistration is not required. Information is available online at www.somersetcountyparks.org or by calling 908-766-2489.

Bernardsville invites public to plan for a lasting (sustainable) future

Those interested in the future of Bernardsville and in enhancing the quality of life in their hometown are invited to the Bernardsville Public Library at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9. The program at the library, 1 Anderson Hill Road, will address how to practice "sustainable living" and cut costs by "going green.” Donna Drewes, Community Planner at the Municipal Land Use Center at The College of New Jersey and one of the lead architects of the statewide Sustainable New Jersey program, will provide a presentation with an eye toward the future.

Sustainable living provides many benefits to individuals, families and communities. Besides protecting water, air and soil of planet earth, such practices make good economic sense, proponents say. Sustainable habits, from recycling to saving energy, save money in personal budgets and government budgets alike, according to advocates.

The program will point out small steps toward “going green” that can have a powerful and positive effect on everyone's life. At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to identify steps they can take to further their own sustainable styles of living. Tables will be set up to demonstrate activities in which community members are already involved or can become involved. Tables will display Green Club activities in local schools; describe a proposed community garden and compostin and growing vegetables at home; information about natural resources, storm water issues, and watershed protection; and energy conservation. Tables will be staffed by members of the Bernardsville Green Team. Information sheets and reusable shopping bags will be given out, along with refreshments in biodegradable containers.

Speaker Donna Drewes is a professional planner with nearly 29 years of experience in community and natural resource planning in New Jersey. She has worked as a professional planning consultant in the private sector and for both public agencies and non-governmental organizations.

The program is free. Advance registration is requested at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org, or call the library at 908-766-0118.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Lafayette College Junior Ting Chiu of Bedminster Receives Fellowship from National Public Policy Program

Posted via MyCentralJersey.com:

Ting Chiu of Bedminster, a junior at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., has been admitted into the 2010 Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) program's Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University.

The intensive academic program, which will run from June 10 - July 30, is designed to introduce or strengthen skills in economics, statistics, policy analysis, writing, and public speaking, and focuses on training future leaders for government service and other public service careers. Chiu's fellowship covers expenses for all courses, textbooks, transportation, housing, and meals.
As an English and psychology double major, Chiu's work with the program will focus on how language can improve the efficiency with which stakeholders from different disciplines and backgrounds can work toward a common goal.

Read more

Sweetheart Dance for dads and daughters benefits Somerset County Food Bank

Pictured from left to right are third-graders Jessica Caruso, Abby Jay, Kiera Murphy, Caroline Mohan and Kate Vinges. Photo by Betsy Bacot-Aigner

The Liberty Corner School Parent Teacher Organization hosted its third annual Sweetheart Dance for female students from grades K-5 and their fathers or other special men in their lives.  The event took place Feb. 12.

Vegetable platters were made by the Ridge High School Community Based Life Skills Program as part of a real-life work project.  This program provides students with disabilities job training to prepare them for employment and independent living.

Attendees were asked to bring a donation to the Somerset Country Food Bank.

Far Hills Country Day School invites public to hear early childhood expert; school parent also raise money for soup kitchens

Far Hills Country Day School in Bernardsville is inviting the public to an evening with early childhood expert Dr. Sue Bredekamp, who will discuss her new book, "Effective Practices in Early Childhood Educaton: Building a Foundation," at 6:30 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 24. The presentation is free.

Dr. Bredekamp will speak about best practices in early childhood education, according to the school. She is scheduled to lead a discussion of how to incorporate current teaching practices necessary to become more effective with all children while also retaining and enhancing the fundamental values of early childhood education. Refreshments will be served. The public is ask to reserve ahead with an email to Lizzie O'Mara at lomara@fhcds.org. The school is at 697 Route 202 (Mine Brook Road), in the Far Hills section of Bernardsville.

O'Mara, director of strategic marketing and communications at the school, also announced Far Hills Country Day will host its annual Family Fun night fundraiser to benefit the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 19. Parents of Far Hills students contribute an amount for a casual family dinner in the school's cafeteria with good food and a bingo game after dinner. The school's students are volunteer servers, and soup kitchen's volunteers are also in attendance. All proceeds generated from the event go to the soup kitchen. Last year, over two hundred and sixty attended the dinner, and we raised $4,250 to benefit the soup kitchen. "It raises a ton of money for them at a time when they need it most,'' O'Mara said.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Ridge High School Counselor Selected by Arcadia University for London Experience

Peggy Wu, a high school guidance counselor at Ridge High School in the Bernards Township school system was one of 12 high school counselors who have been selected for Arcadia University’s annual London Preview for Guidance Counselors in the summer of 2010. Wu will depart for London in July 2010 accompanied by staff from Arcadia University, which is located in Glenside, Pa.

This is the 12th year that Arcadia has conducted the London Preview for guidance counselors from multiple school systems. This year's 12 high school guidance counselors were selected last November, when their names were drawn from more than 120 attendees at Arcadia’s annual counselor workshop and luncheon sponsored by the University’s Office of Enrollment Management.

On their arrival in London, the counselors will meet with Arcadia’s London staff for an orientation. They will receive orientation packages that include tickets to attractions, maps and transportation passes. The counselors will then have the opportunity to explore Islington, the fashionable 18th century London neighborhood next to the Arcadia University residence hall, Thoresby House, which will serve as their accommodation while the British city.

The counselors also will be given the opportunity to visit King’s College and City University downtown, tour the great medieval Westminster Abbey, spend an evening at the theatre, take a day trip to Cambridge, as well as boat ride down the River Thames to the city of Greenwich. Free time also will be given to the counselors to explore other attractions London has to offer.

Arcadia University is a private university in the metropolitan Philadelphia area and a national leader in study abroad, ranked number 1 in undergraduate participation in study abroad by Open Doors in 2009. The university said it provides a distinctively global, integrative and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and prosper in a diverse and dynamic world, according to the university.
_ Linda Sadlouskos

Gill St. Bernard’s School in Peapack-Gladstone announces new pre-kindergarten program for 3 and 4-year-olds

Starting in September 2010, Gill St. Bernard’s School in Peapack-Gladstone will begin a new program for children ages 3 to 4 years to add to the school's existing pre-kindergarten program for 4 and 5-year-olds. Two sections, primary 3 and primary 4, will be introduced as the GSB Primary Program. Children must be 3 years old by this February to be eligible to apply for admission to the program for the following September.

The new program will emphasize a child-directed, interdisciplinary introduction to learning led by creative and dynamic teachers, according to information from the private institution. The program's daily schedule will include academic instruction, music, physical education, and supervised indoor and outdoor playtime. Weekly project-based units in art, cooking, drama, and visits to the school library will enrich the children’s overall experience, said Kathleen Andersen, communications director at Gill St. Bernard's, which is located at the border with Chester, Morris County.

Read more