UPDATE: Saturday's T-Mobile Balloon Test Cancelled

T-Mobile is looking at an alternate site for its cell tower.

A T-Mobile balloon test scheduled for May 11 at the Bridgewater Township Library has been cancelled because of expected bad weather, according to a post on the township's website. A new date has not yet been announced. The T-Mobile balloon test had first been scheduled for May 4, but was also cancelled because of forecasted high winds. With a settlement possible, T-Mobile will be conducting a balloon test to determine if there is a possibility for constructing a cell tower in a location other than the Green Knoll Fire House. The zoning board, in May 2012, denied an application from T-Mobile to build a cell tower at the fire house. T-Mobile subsequently filed suit against the township. According to a letter filed April 5 with the United …

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Antique Car Show Coming to Bridgewater Library

Guests will vote on different criteria for each car.

Sometimes there's just not enough days in the week, but every Wednesday we'll give you an idea of something to do to relax, spend time with family and just take some time for yourself. This week, it’s time to check out some vintage cars, and get a little taste of the antique at the 9th Annual Car Show at the Bridgewater Township Library. The event will be held Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. According to a release from the library, about 75 vintage cars will be at the show, and visitors will vote on different criteria for each car, including such categories as Best in Show, Dream Car, Best Paint Job and more. “We started the show as a way to illustrate the beauty and history of vintage vehicles for local car buffs,” said Rich Loomis, the …

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Girl Scouts Holding Silver Award Program

The program will be held at the Bridgewater Township Library.

Library Giving Away Books

Somerset County Library branches participate in World Book Night.

If you've been meaning to get back into the habit of reading, the Somerset County Library System may have a deal for you: library branches are handing out new books as part of World Book Night. The Bridgewater Township Library is among many participating in a program that is seeking to distribute half a million free books in an ambitious campaign aimed at promoting reading. The mission of World Book Night is to seek out those without the means or access to printed books. The entire county library system is participating in the program. Some volunteers in Somerset County will be picking up their books at the Bridgewater Library in Bridgewater, to distribute them at VA hospitals, roller skating rinks, mass transit, nursing homes, schools, …

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BRMS Band Rocks Open Mic Night

The eighth graders opened the recent show at the library.

Road Kill, a band made of Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School eighth graders, opened the Bridgewater Township Library’s Open Mic night April 11. The band opened the evening by performing three songs—“Brain Stew” by Green Day, “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones and “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses. The members of the band are Chris Borell on electric lead guitar and lead vocals; Mike Avin on drums; Marcus Carollo on electric bass; and JJ Rosario and Ethan D’Alessandro on rhythm guitar. This was the second time the band had performed publicly, following a recent performance at the BRMS talent show in March.

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Bridgewater Library Part of State Pilot Program for the Blind

The program is through the U.S. Library of Congress’ Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Bridgewater Township Library has been selected by the state as one of 11 to participate in a pilot program for accessing audio books from the Braille and Audio Reading Download web site. According to a release from the New Jersey State Library, the organization has partnered with the U.S. Library of Congress’ Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to put this program together. The Bridgewater branch of the Somerset County Library System is one of 11 libraries chosen by the state to take part. The other libraries participating in the program are Atlantic County Library, Galloway Township Branch; East Brunswick Public Library; Jersey City Public Library; Johnson Public Library; Kenilworth Public Library, Monroe Township Public …

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Library, Municipal Building to Reopen Thursday

The municipal building will be on limited hours because it still has no power.

The Bridgewater Township Library will reopen Thursday after it regained power Wednesday, and the municipal building will have limited hours despite still being dark. According to Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes, the municipal building will be open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He said the building still does not have power, but they will be working by natural light. "I told my team we need to reopen for non-essential services," he said. "We've closed for a few days, but eventually non-essential services become essential." Hayes said there will be representatives from every department in the building for those four hours Thursday to help with any essential needs residents have. "This is for time-sensitive needs," he said. As for …

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Schools Closed for Wednesday

The library will also stay closed Wednesday.

The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District will be closed Wednesday, according to Bridgewater Township Mayor Dan Hayes. The district was already closed Monday and Tuesday during and after the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and will remain closed for yet another day. Hayes said businesses throughout Bridgewater will remain closed at this point, with the Bridgewater Township Library also staying closed through Wednesday at this point. As for the township offices, Hayes said, they will make a decision about whether they will open Wednesday by 4 p.m.

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Banned Books Week: What You Need to Know

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week—and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually during the last week of Sept. (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2012). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. Head over to the Bridgewater Township Library or Barnes & Noble to check out some of the books on the list of those challenged in other areas. More than 11,000 books have been challenged (though not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books …

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Traditional Carnival Attracts Hundreds

The Bridgewater Township Library hosts its annual summer carnival.

The Bridgewater Township Library held its annual end-of-summer carnival Thursday, hosting lots of games and handing out prizes to participating kids. According to Marna Elliott, library director, they usually expect about 300 to 600 people at the carnival, with kids as old as fourth grade usually in attendance. Working the games, Elliott said, were teen volunteers, who worked for days to prepare for the program. The carnival is also done in conjunction with the summer reading program, which is open until Sept. 8. Elliott said she is pleased by the opportunities at the carnival, particularly because it is a traditional one without any electronics, and includes a bean bag toss, bowling, fishing and golf, among other games. "People look …

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