Just 1 Mentoring, a mentoring program that serves children of prisoners, is seeking volunteers.  We are looking for adults to serve as positive role- models and friends by spending an hour per week for one year with a child from their community. Without effective intervention, children of prisoners are 7 times more likely than their peers to become incarcerated themselves.  You can help! Extensive support and training will be provided.  For more information please call Elyse Giaimo at 973 784 4900 x 109 or email her at giaimoe@norwescap.org.

Lambertville Lights Up With Cinema This Summer During Artist Visions Film Fest!

ACME Screening Room, Friends of Lambertville Library’s weekly cinema space, will take its independent film program outdoors this summer, to present ARTIST VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL, a free film and live music series at locations throughout town.

The festival will feature a video installation of short films projected on the side of the Wells Fargo Bank in the center of town, feature films projected in Cavallo Park and live music concerts in the Lambertville Station parking lot, before the fireworks over the Delaware River. The Wells Fargo Bank video installation will take place on the first Friday and second Saturday at sundown; concerts on the first Friday at 8:30 pm; and feature films on the second Saturday at sundown, June-August 2011. A roster of Bucks and Hunterdon County student films will also be presented in partnership with Princeton Student Film and Video Festival, at ACME Screening Room, indoors, July 22 and 23, 2011.

‘By placing these events outdoors throughout the summer we hope to increase community and visitors’ exposure to our rich Hunterdon-Bucks County arts scene and bring the Friends’ programs out into to the community,’ says Sara Scully, Program Producer.

ARTIST VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL, now in its second season, was named for its focus on celebrating the creative visions revealed in the work of area filmmakers and musicians as well as feature films by art-filmmakers from afar. The Friends selected all films and bands for their artistic excellence, diversity and critical acclaim. Feature films were also selected for their relevance to the children’s summer reading theme, World Culture/Travel, chosen by the Collaborative Summer Library Program.

FEATURE FILMS: A highlight of this year’s festival and a major contribution to the Festival’s artistic value is the slate of Second Saturday feature films, all selections from the critically acclaimed, New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF). The NYICFF, according to its website, ‘was founded in 1997 to promote intelligent, passionate, provocative cinematic works for ages 3-18 and to help define a more compelling film for kids.’ The all-ages films selected: AZUR & ASMAR, THE SECRET LIFE OF KELLS, and MIA AND THE MIGOO, are all animated works celebrated for their artistry, imagination and diversity of characters and storylines.

LIVE MUSIC: The Festival’s live music program boasts a roster of bands with diverse musical styles, but each possessing a sound big enough to compel the throngs of patrons waiting for Friday night fireworks on the river. The series will begin on the first Friday in June with the six-piece Latin-European inspired indy-rock ensemble, Jac, a Bucks County-based band so compelling and unique in its stylish sound, that it caught the attention of the New York Times Style section in Fall 2010. Jac will be followed in July by the local folk-rock band that drew hundreds when they performed at last summer’s Festival, Chris Harford and the Band of Changes. Then, Orquesta Rumba Con Son, a Somerset-based Latin-Salsa big band, will perform in August.

VIDEO INSTALLATION: The Wells Fargo Bank video installation will feature short films about or inspired by Hunterdon-Bucks County, along with live music performances taped at Arts Council of Princeton’s Cafe Improv, by producer, Tom Florek. Friends of Lambertville Library were awarded a $200 grant to fund a cash prize for the top three short-filmmakers out of all short-filmmakers featured in the Artist Visions Film Festival 2011 video installation. First Prize will be $100; Second and Third Prizes will be $50 each. And a bonus for all three winners will be that each winning short will be screened at the ACME Screening Room as a preview before all films in September 2011. Prize funding was made possible in part by the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission. To raise the total budget needed to provide the Festival free to the community, the Friends will be soliciting community partners to purchase advertising sponsorships at the Festival. For more information or to purchase an ad, please email lambertvillefol@gmail.com. In partnership with City Market, the Friends will also be selling, as an event fundraiser, pre-ordered picnic dinners that can be picked up and enjoyed at the outdoor events, all summer. Picnics can be ordered online at www.AcmeScreeningRoom.TicketLeap.com or in person at City Market, 74 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ, May 15-August 20, 2011.

AZUR & ASMAR is the story of two boys raised as brothers: Azur, a blonde, blue-eyed son of a noblewoman and Asmar, the dark skinned and dark-eyed child of the nurse. As kids, they fought and loved each other as brothers do. As grown ups, they mercilessly become rivals in the quest years later, when Azur is being haunted by memories of the legendary Djinn-fairy, and takes it upon himself to journey all the way to Asmar’s homeland to seek it out. Asmar also longs to find the Djinn-fairy, and only one of the two youths can be successful in their competitive quest. Animation, Michel Ocelot, France, 2006/2008, 99 minutes Dubbed in English.

THE SECRET LIFE OF KELLS is the highly anticipated new animated masterpiece from the producers of Kirikou and the Sorceress and Triplets of Belleville! Magic, fantasy and Celtic mythology come together in a riot of color and detail that dazzle the eyes in this sweeping story about the power of imagination and faith to carry humanity through dark times. Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan’s determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? Animation, Tomm Moore, Ireland/France/Belgium, 2009.

MIA AND THE MIGOO is work of art, breathtaking to behold, created from an astonishing 500,000 hand-painted frames of animation. The film is the gorgeous second feature from French animator Jacques-Remy Girerd. One night Mia has a premonition. So after saying a few words of parting at her mother’s grave, she sets out on a journey across mountains and jungles to search for her father, who has been trapped in a landslide at a disaster-plagued construction site on a remote tropical lake. In the middle of the lake stands the ancient Tree of Life, watched over by innocent, bumbling forest spirits called the Migoo, who grow and change shape as they please, morphing from small childlike beings to petulant giants. It is the Migoo who have been disrupting the construction to protect this sacred site ‘ and now together with Mia – they join in a fight to find Mia’s father and save the Tree. Animation, Jacques-Remy Girerd, France/Italy, 92 minutes, Rated PG

Student filmmakers can submit to the Student Film Fest for free using the application available for download at http://www.princeton.lib.nj.us/teens/media/index.html. More information about last year’s festival can be found on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ARTIST-VISIONS-FILM-FESTIVAL/388099226689 and on our website http://www.acmescreeningroom.org.

The Artist Visions Film Festival is a project of Friends of Lambertville Library, a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Friends of Lambertville Library extend special thanks to The City of Lambertville, The Lambertville Recreation Commission, Wells Fargo Bank and The Inn at Lambertville Station for generously providing the space to present this festival. Funding for the Festival has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through funds administered by the Hunterdon County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

The Hunterdon Huskies are proud to announce it’s new Contender Cheer Program!  The Contender program provides children with special needs the opportunity to cheer, participate, and be a member of the team!  Our Huskies Coaches and Junior Coaches will work with Huskies Cheer Contenders to introduce the sport of cheerleading at levels that are appropriate for each participant.  The focus is on fun as well as skill progression to promote a strong sense of accomplishment and enjoyment!  Registration is open now!  For more information email Debbie House at debbie@triumphplant.com

Northwoods Farm Soap & Candle Company offers handmade soap, pure & natural baby care products, fun bathtime surprises.  Soy & beeswax candles.  Bath & body products.  Custom gift buckets and party favors.  Unique gifts.  Many natural soaps made by Hunterdon County soapmakers.  Visit us online or at our shop in historic downtown Clinton!

• phone: (908) 730-SOAP (7627)
• web: www.northwoodsfarmsoap.com

Hunterdon Healthcare exists to prevent disease, illness and injury; to seek cures; relieve pain; give comfort; and inspire a healthy way of living.  Hunterdon Medical Center, the flagship hospital, is acknowledged as a leader in developing comprehensive medical and health care services.  Hunterdon Medical Center treats over 8,600 inpatients annually, with 33,000 Emergency Department visits and over 292,000 outpatient visits per year.  The 178-bed hospital provides a full range of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic inpatient and outpatient hospital and community health services.

The Hunterdon Medical Center is also a teaching institution and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  The Family Practice Residency Program is one of the first in the nation for the training of specialists in family medicine.

Hunterdon Medical Center is licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health, and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

For more information call or visit our website.

• phone: 908-788-6100
• web: www.hunterdonhealthcare.org

Whitehouse Preparatory School is a premier early childhood program for children ages 3 through 6.  We offer full and half day programs along with an exceptional After School Program that is included in the full-day tuition.  Our programs include developmentally appropriate academic instruction in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, PE, Music, Violin, Chinese, Acting and Conflict Resolution/Anti-Bullying.  Designed by a Kindergarten teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience, our curriculum will enrich every child with an exceptional early education that promotes self confidence and a true love of learning.  Together with a highly qualified and experienced teaching staff, Whitehouse Prep truly is A Bright Start to a Brilliant Future!  As one parent expressed, “Whitehouse Prep is a greatest gift that you can give your child.”

• phone:  908-534-0026
• web:  http://www.whitehouseprep.org

Hunterdon Hospice has been providing care to families in this community
for over thirty years.  Hospice is a special kind of care designed to
support and comfort people living with a terminal illness.  When a
family receives hospice services a whole team of people are assigned to
see that they receive the most complete and comprehensive care possible;
and an incredibly important member of that team is the Hospice
Volunteer.  Hospice volunteers receive training, which teaches them
about what hospice care is and it prepares them to provide care to
patients and their families.  But hospice volunteers are not all direct
patient care volunteers.  Many of our volunteers work in our office,
some help with our fundraisers, and some volunteers help us deliver
supplies when patients need that.  All volunteers are equally important.
 We are always looking for cosmetologists who would be comfortable
giving a patient a haircut, manicure or even a pedicure.  Hunterdon
Hospice is now accepting applications for its volunteer training program
through February.

Volunteers provide valuable emotional support to both patients and
families and keep families connected to the community.  They fill many
of the gaps and help wherever needed, such as providing respite to
caregivers and family members, running errands, being a companion to the
patient, and helping with household tasks.   “Our volunteers are such
amazing people and are always willing to help out however needed.  When
families are in need it is the little things in life that are important.
 Volunteers form relationships with their patients and the patients’
loved ones. They provide whatever support is needed to enable the family
to continue to function,” explains Joy Stump, Volunteer Coordinator
for Hunterdon Hospice.  Stump added, “I continuously hear from our
volunteers about how helping out with Hunterdon Hospice helps them keep
life in perspective. They always tell me how surprised they are by how
much joy and happiness doing this work brings them.  They experience
moments of laughter and friendship.  Patients teach them about life and
how to live your life with courage, dignity and always hope.  Our
volunteers go home at the end of the day knowing they have helped make a
difference in someone’s life.”

The training program covers all aspects of volunteering so the
volunteer is prepared to be with patients and their families.

To arrange for an interview contact Joy Stump, Volunteer Coordinator at
908-788-2573 or e-mail her at stump.joy@hunterdonhealthcare.org.  To
learn more about Hunterdon Hospice, log onto our website at
www.hunterdonhealthcare.org.

Foundations Preschool is located in the heart of the historic village of Annandale, convenient to Routes 78, 31 and 22. Our beautiful buildings on two acres offer’s a campus unlike any of our competitors. We have several programs for infants six weeks of age to children six years old and our pricing is very competitive. All of our programs are included in your one monthly tuition payment. Each age group is lead by an accredited teacher and our ratios are exceptional versus the state requirement. More than 25 of our employee’s are first aid and infant CPR certified. Please contact us for a tour today or make arrangements to speak with one of the many local public school teachers who have chosen Foundations to care for their children.

• phone: (908) 730-9195
• web: www.foundationspreschool.org

With Halloween just around the corner, we wanted to know who amongst us has been brave enough to visit one of the many local Haunted Hayrides here in Hunterdon County and the surrounding areas?  Which ones are the best (or worst)?  Share your spooky experiences with us, so others looking for some ghoulish fun can benefit!  We’ve listed some ideas below to get us started.  Be sure to leave your comments in the space below.

The Haunted Mill at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, NJ
http://www.clintonhauntedmill.org/

Schaffer’s Farms Fright Festival in Flemington, NJ
http://www.schaeferfarms.com/fright.html

Grochowicz Farm in Glen Gardner, NJ
http://grochowiczfarms.com/cn/index.php/frightful_nights/

Dorney Park  Halloween Haunt – Allentown, PA

http://haunt.dorneypark.com/

Festival of Fears – Bucks County, PA
http://festivaloffears.com/mainpage.htm

Not that this is anywhere near us, but the very thought of it is quite scary.

Terror behind the walls
http://www.easternstate.org/halloween/directions/
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philiadelphia PA

Registration for Hunterdon County YMCA before and after school programs is now open.

As children and teens return to school, the Hunterdon County YMCA encourages parents looking for safe, educational and fun activities outside the classroom to take advantage of its after school program. Combining play with academics, the Hunterdon County YMCA after school program fills gaps in schools by offering enrichment through arts, physical education, sports and nutrition.
 
The Hunterdon County YMCA operates before and after school programs at 18 county schools. For a list of schools, visit www.hcymca.org.  A kindergarten-wrap program is also offered at all Flemington-Raritan schools and Tewksbury Elementary. All programs are licensed by the state of New Jersey and the adult to child ratio averages 1:10. Programs run on most school holidays.  

According to the Afterschool Alliance, 15.1 million children in the United States are left unsupervised after 3 p.m. In New Jersey alone, 28% of children are left alone – responsible for taking care of themselves. 

“At the Hunterdon County YMCA we are committed to nurturing the potential of every child and teen,” said Bruce Black, President/CEO, Hunterdon County YMCA. “Our after school program is not just about an extended day of work and activities – it’s about giving youth an extra support system that encourages them to achieve success.”

Afterschool programming at the Y is a healthy way for children and teens to stay active and productive when the school day ends. Youth in the Hunterdon County YMCA’s after school program receive homework assistance. In addition, children in the Y’s after school programs participate in games, crafts, community service projects, and Healthy U. The Healthy U program is the result of a collaborative partnership between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, which is comprised of all 42 YMCA member Associations throughout New Jersey. Healthy U offers children the opportunity to learn about healthy choices and engage in fun physical activity.

“Attending after school programs can have many lasting positive effects on youth, including helping children and teens develop interpersonal and social skills, perform well academically, and develop habits that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement,” said Black.

As one of the leading providers of afterschool programs, the nation’s Ys have been engaging children in afterschool programs for more than 50 years. Today, Ys impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth in afterschool programs at nearly 10,000 sites across the country. Afterschool programming at the Y focuses on the holistic development of youth, promoting creativity, a love for learning, academic success and friendship and character building. Financial assistance is available to those in need, to ensure every child and teen has the opportunity to learn and grow at the Y.

For more information about the Hunterdon County YMCA’s before and after school programs, please contact Wendy Crocetti, School Age Child Care Director or at 908-236-0055 ext. 22 or visit www.hcymca.org.