Category — Local News

Rutgers’ Early Learning Project is actively seeking participants between the ages of 2 to 18 months for several studies on infant learning and memory development.

The goal of the project, which is directed by Dr. Carolyn Rovee-Collier and funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, is to gather information about the normal development of learning and memory over the first two years of life.  Specifically, we ask what infants of different ages learn, how they learn it, what they remember about it they learned, how long the remember it, what influences whether or not they show what they know, how their memories are updated, and the effect of reminders on what and how long they remember.

We always conduct our studies in infants’ homes (anywhere within 50 miles of Rutgers-New Brunswick) because that’s where they are “at their best.”  We visit at a time when infants are ready to play, because we teach them a game—kicking to move an overhead mobile, pressing a lever to move a miniature train round a track, or imitating a series of actions on a fuzzy hand puppet.  [Read more →]

Roxey Ballet, a contemporary ballet company based in Lambertville, announced its fall season today, Fall for Ballet 2007. 

The company, with dancers from all over the world, will kick off its season on October 20, 2007 with 12 x 12 x 12, a celebration of 12 years of Roxey Ballet featuring 12 repertory pieces by 12 Roxey Ballet dancers.  Each of the pieces will represent one year of RB choreography, with each work re-imagined by Artistic Director Mark Roxey. [Read more →]

NORWESCAP/ First Book-Hunterdon County announced today it is accepting book grant applications from local nonprofit programs serving children in need.  First Book-Hunterdon County hopes to grant out approximately 1000 new books to programs.  Teachers and directors of local preschools, day care, after-school, tutoring and mentoring programs are encouraged to apply on behalf of their programs. To be eligible to receive a First Book grant, organizations are required to: incorporate reading as part of their program activities, serve children and families from low-income households, provide multiple distributions to each child in the program, and support the child’s ongoing education outside of the school classroom setting.  Applications are due by September 17, 2007.                                        

Each child participating in a program that receives a grant will receive one book per month for a year, which enables the children to start their own home libraries they can share with their siblings and families.  They will also receive a bookplate on which to place their names, celebrating the importance of book ownership. The book grants are made possible through local fundraising efforts by members of NORWESCAP/First Book-Hunterdon County. 

The children’s faces light up when they discover they can keep these books and take them home to read over and over again, states Sue Linda Fleischer.  We hope to provide every child in need in Hunterdon County with brand new books.

To request an application or get involved with First Book, please contact Antoinette Franklin, co-chair of NORWESCAP/First Book-Hunterdon County at 908-782-8183 or franklina@norwescap.org 

UPDATE on 10/1/07:

Please HELP First Book-Hunterdon County!

I am reaching out to all past recipients, board members, and interested parties.  The Hunterdon board only has $500 in the treasury.  In order to give out grants, we need to raise some money.  I have spoken with the Borders store in Flemington and they have given me some dates for a Bennefit Day.  It would involve wrapping gifts, informing people about First Book and hopefully getting donations.  Borders supplies all the materials, we supply the man power.  Ann Rinaldi, a local author, has offered to donate a collection of her books to raffle off and/or do a  book signing on any of those days.  The dates are November 26, 27, 28, 29 and December 3, 4, 10, & 11 from 9 am to 2 pm.  The dates fill up fast, so if there is anyone interested in supplying some man power, please contact me as soon as possible, so we can lock in one or more dates.

Thank you,

Sharon M. Schultz
NORWESCAP/First Book-Hunterdon County
973-383-3461
908-782-8183

This is quite frankly so wrong!  After almost 50 years in business local landmark Jimmy’s Ice Cream stand in Holland Township may close for good!  Our family stopped by yesterday for one last hurrah, diet be damned I had a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream (they were out of peanuts at that point).  It was good to see so many people there, a line out the front door.  I used to be a Jimmy’s girl myself a long time ago when the Fox family still ran the stand, and the minigolf and batting cages were a happening place to be on a warm summer night — so the closing is really kind of sad on a personal level to me.  It really was the best job I ever had truthfully - the most fun.  So I’m wondering what those of you who live in this neck of the county think about Jimmy’s closing.  Did you stop by this weekend?  Do you have a favorite Jimmy’s memory?   Should we start an online petition to save Jimmy’s?!   Post a comment and let’s discuss.

Kat is the new Holland Township contributor for Hunterdon Moms Online.  This is her first post.  If you are interested in becoming a contributor for your township, please click on the link to “Contribute to Our Site” above for more information.

Rawhide Rescue was formed to serve the needs of homeless dogs by providing loving and expedient rescue, foster homes and placement with a great measure of compassion and through teamwork with you and other rescue groups and shelters.

Rawhide Rescue is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. We’ll be happy to provide you with a tax-receipt upon request so that you can deduct your donation to us.

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Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to preservation of the rural character of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  HLTA promotes the protection of threatened natural and historic resources through land and property conservation and education. HLTA functions as a core organization in the county, assisting other conservation organizations and project participants at the municipal level. The grassroots nature and local liaisons of The Trust will maintain a connected web with a single goal. The Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance holds title to land and easements and works to initiate, coordinate, and advocate the goals of conservation. The regional structure promotes efficiency by reducing the duplication of efforts, coordinating the use of resources both financial and technical, and increasing access to funding. Every effort is made to preserve and nurture the grassroots character of the organization’s beginnings. The group feels that close contact with local landowners and municipalities is essential to achieving success.  To learn more about HLTA, visit their website at www.hlta.org

Are You Raising a Relative’s child and need Assistance Paying for Child Care? Help may be available through NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services. There are so many people that have taken on the responsibility of raising a relative’s child. This is called Kinship care. There are services available, through the Kinship Navigator Program, to help with child care assistance and/or wrap around services such as furniture, moving costs, housing, legal fees, and respite care. The Navigator Program can provide information and referral services for a wide range of needs including: family support groups, Work First New Jersey/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Medicaid coverage and services, child support, custody procedure, and education issues.

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Do you need help paying for child care while you work or go to school? NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services may be able to help! If you work 30 or more hours per week, or take 12 or more college credits, or attend a training program for 20 hours a week or a combination of the above equaling full time participation, you may qualify for financial assistance.

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NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services the local child care resource & referral agency for Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren Counties is pleased to announce Together 4 Quality, an accreditation project. The purpose of this new project is to enhance the quality of center based care and registered family child care in northwest New Jersey.

Research proves that quality early care and education experiences have an impact on children’s later school success, states Antonette Franklin, CFRS staff member. Sharon Giacchino, CFRS Director adds, NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services has partnered with nineteen child care programs to increase the number of accredited child care programs available for children and families. Each child care program will select a State approved national accreditation to pursue. Currently in Hunterdon County, there are four accredited child care programs. Together 4 Quality will increase that number to eleven.

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