Bridgewater Patch is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week—but every so often, your good editor needs a little bit of a vacation. Yes, that's right, Bridgewater Patch editor Audrey Levine is taking a few days off for some fun and sun in Florida while she visits family. But don't worry, Patch fans, the news will go on! So today, we present five things you need to know about getting involved in the site while your editor is away. Patch Goes On—Your editor may be on vacation, but Bridgewater Patch is not. That's right, the site will remain live and active with all the news, sports, features and…

Sundown Tuesday marked the beginning of Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar, and lasts until sundown Wednesday. In honor of this Day of Atonement for the Jewish community, we present five things to know about the holiday. Information from chabad.org. Day of Atonement—On this day, the Jewish community asks for forgiveness for all sins throughout the year. It is the most solemn day of the year, but also a hopeful one when Jews hope and are confident that their sins will be forgiven. Fasting—During Yom Kippur, for a total of 26 hours, no food is eaten while everyone spends…

Friday is the official launch day of the iPhone 5 at Apple stores, Verizon stores and many other locations. So in honor of that, we present five facts to know about the iPhone 5. Information from the Apple website. Thinnest Phone—The new iPhone is only 7.6 millimeters thin, and is 112 grams in weight. Crystal Screen—The screen of the phone is made from sapphire crystal, which has been found to be far less likely to scratch because of its hardness. Improved Maps—The map function on the phone speaks the directions as you go, and there are 3-D views to see where you are going. You can also get a…

Monday and Tuesday of this week, Jews all over the world have been celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Schools were closed Monday, and although many have reopened Tuesday, there are still many people celebrating the second day of the holiday. So in honor of the holiday, we present five things to know about Rosh Hashanah. Information from chabad.org. Head of the Year—The name of the holiday itself means "Head of the Year," and it starts on the first day of the first Jewish month of the year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. Shofar—The holiday is marked by the …

The Somerset County 4-H is holding its annual Big 4-H Rummage Sale 2012 Friday and Saturday at the center on Milltown Road, selling lots of items donated from local residents. To prepare for it, and get people ready to shop, we present five (or probably more) different kinds of items that can be donated for the fair. Gently Used Clothing Books, Videos, DVDs, CDs Antiques, Collectibles Housewares Toys Jewelry Infant Good Flat Screen TVs Contact Laura Herndon at laura.herndon@einstein.yu.edu, or head over to 4HisTops.org, for more information or to volunteer.

All this week, Jersey Cares is devoting volunteers to week-long service projects all over the state in an effort to preserve Sept. 11 as a day of service and remembrance. And on Wednesday, the organization will be volunteering at The Learning Gate on Finderne Avenue. Volunteers will be working with pre-school and kindergarten aged kids with arts and crafts activities, a puppet show and a magic show. So in honor of this volunteer project, we present five things Jersey Cares will be doing throughout the week to help. Information from jerseycares.org. Painting Murals. Harvesting Produce and …

The board of education is holding its agenda session Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Harmon V. Wade Administration Building on Newmans Lane. Before this first board meeting of the new school year, we present five things to know about the upcoming agenda. Negotiations—Although the new contract is not up for ratification quite yet, the superintendent will be providing an update on the status of the negotiations. Robotics—At a recent meeting, members of the high school robotics team asked for certain considerations for the coming year—the superintendent will be speaking about the club as it stands thus…

The township council is holding its first regular council meeting of September Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal courtroom on Commons Way. In preparation for the meeting, we present a list of five things to know about the council session. Generators—The council is planning to hear the introduction of an ordinance concerning permanent standby generators with regard to single or two-family residential homes. Public Safety—The council is preparing to accept into the budget an amount of money through a 2012 Target Public Safety Grant. Sustainable Raritan River Initiative—A resolution is on …

Wednesday is the first day of school for all students in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. It's time to get back to homework, tests, performances and so much more—and Bridgewater Patch wants to be in the thick of it all. So in honor of the first day back, we present a list of five ways to keep everyone informed of all the happenings at the schools through Bridgewater Patch! Announcement—Did your child earn an award, perform a good deed, create a great project? We want to hear about it! Head over to the announcements section of the site and tell us about all the amazing things …

Monday is Labor Day, and this coming weekend, many will celebrate the three days off and the unofficial last weekend of the summer. And so in honor of that, we present a list of five things to know about Labor Day. Information from history.com. All About Workers—Labor Day is observed on the first Monday of September, and is designed to pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of workers in America. Back in 1894—The holiday was created in 1894 by the labor movements in the late 19th century. In the late 1800s, and the height of the Industrial Revolution, most Americans worked 12-hour …

This weekend is Labor Day weekend, with Monday being the actual holiday, and this time serving as both the unofficial final weekend of the summer and a day to celebrate the contributions of workers. So in honor of this, we present a list of five things you can do in the area this weekend to celebrate the holiday. Dawn Patrol MC Labor Day Run—After canceling the run in 2011 because of Hurricane Irene, the run is back with a motorcycle run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning at the Bradley Gardens Fire House, followed by refreshments and a poker run hand. Labor Day Picnic for Young Professionals—…

Bridgewater SWIM is holding two sessions Wednesday at the Bridgewater YMCA for exercise opportunities for those having difficulty with mobility. The first session will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a second from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. In honor of these sessions, we present five things to know about the organization. YMCA—The Bridgewater chapter of S.W.I.M. Inc., holds its sessions at the Bridgewater YMCA to provide participants access to the pool. Free Water Exercise—The organization provides free water exercise opportunities to people who might have difficulty performing similar exercises …

The board of education will hold its final meeting before the start of school Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Harmon V. Wade Administration Building on Newmans Lane. So to prepare for that, we present five things that will be discussed or heard at the meeting. Superintendent's Report—Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder is expected to discuss an update and recommendations for EE4NJ, Excellent Educators for New Jersey. Finance Committee—The board of education and Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association have reached a settlement on their contract negotiations. Board member Lynne Hurley is …

The popular game show, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is holding special auditions for its next season at TD Bank Ballpark Wednesday, beginning at 6:40 p.m. with a special test for possible contestants. So in honor of the auditions, we present five things to know about the game show. Information from the game show's website. On-Air Host—The show was originally hosted by Regis Philbin, and is now hosted by former "Today Show" host Meredith Vieira. One Million—Contestants have the opportunity to win $1 million, as they answer a series of 25 questions. Rule Changes—The game show has gone …

Food Network star Melissa d'Arabian is kicking off her cross-country book tour Tuesday with a stop at Costco for a book signing of her debut cookbook. In honor of the signing, and to encourage people to head out, we present five things to know about the author and the book. The book signing will begin at 12 p.m. Food Network Winner—Melissa d'Arabian won season five of the "The Next Food Network Star," and is a stay-at-home mother of four who moved from the corporate world to cooking. Television Host—Melissa d'Arabian is now the host of her own Food Network cooking series, called "Ten Dollar …

Aug. 10 is the anniversary of the founding of the Smithsonian Institute. So in honor of that, we present five things to know about the Smithsonian Institute. Information from the institute's archives. 1846—On Aug. 10, 1846, the Smithsonian Institute was officially founded through legislation. Congressional Legislation—Congress passed specific legislation, which created the institute to increase and diffuse knowledge, according to the information about it. Polk—It was President James K. Polk who signed the legislation into law concerning the Smithsonian Institute. Decades of Debate—The …

The Somerset Patriots are holding Olympics Night Thursday, when they will celebrate youth athletes involved in Olympic sports. In addition, the Patriots will welcome Joetta Clark Diggs—an Olympic Track and Field great, and current Hillsborough resident—to the stadium. In honor of this event, we present five things to know about Diggs. Information from Diggs' website. Four-Time Olympian—Diggs was a track and field runner in the Olympics in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2000, and has competed in every outdoor USA Championship or Olympic Trials since 1979. And of those, she won five of the last eight. …

Wednesday is the start of the 4-H Fair, the annual three-day event sponsored by the Somerset County 4-H and held at North Branch Park. So in honor of the event, which lasts from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day through Friday, we present five things you will see if you head out to the 4-H Fair. Dog Showmanship in the Dog Show Tent, around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Puppet Show in the Arts Tent, around 1 p.m. Wednesday RC Car Racing in the RC Car Tent, around 1 p.m. Wednesday Airplance/Glider Flying in the Flying Field at 11 a.m. Thursday SCVTHS Theater Performance in the Prep Tent, at 1 p.m. Thursday…

Aug. 7 is National Night Out, a day designed throughout the country to bolster neighborhood spirit and police-community relations in an effort to keep everyone safer. So in honor of that celebration, we present five things to know about the yearly celebration. Information from nationalnightout.org. Aug. 7—The national day will be held Aug. 7 around the country as a crime and drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. 37 Million—That is how many people participated in National Night Out in 2011, in 15,000 communities from all 50 states. Awareness—National Night …

The Bridgewater Commons Mall is holding its annual Girls Night Out event Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's a free event for women to spend a little time pampering themselves. So in honor of the event, we present five things you can do at the mall this weekend. Makeovers—Nars from Lord & Taylor will be doing mini makeovers for anyone interested. Video Games—The Microsoft Store will be offering an opportunity to play Kinect for the evening. Gift Bags—All participants will receive gift bags with gift cards and other giveaways. Giveaways—Guests will have the opportunity to enter to win a $500 …