General Events

•  Hoops There It Is! Baseketball Clinics, Hoops There It Is, 11 Springfield Ave., Cranford, www.hoopsthereitis.net. Elementary and middle schoolers who like to be out on the court will love being a part of the weekly Hoops There It Is basketball clinics. Small class sizes maximize overall improvement as players receive fundamental to advanced instruction in all aspects of the game of basketball, followed by scrimmages. 2/1-3/1.
• Family Concert: Music Of Dance, Shiloh Baptist Church, 515-521 West Fourth St., Plainfield, (908)561-5140, www.plainfieldsymphony.org/events. The Plainfield Symphony joins Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts to perform a free interactive concert featuring the music of classical dance. 2/4, 3pm.
• Learn to Heal Yourself and Your Loved Ones, The Introduction to Pranic Healing Center, 1077 Nicholas Ave., Union, (908)688-7974, www.blessedland.vpweb.com. Families are invited to experience inner peace, stillness and bliss while learning how to accelerate the body’s ability to heal itself in this introduction to pranic healing that teaches participants how energy can effect us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 and 2/27, 7:15pm.
• First Thursdays, The Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving St., Rahway, (732)499-8226, www.ucpac.org. The UCPAC welcomes families to its monthly celebration featuring a car show, music, food and great people! 3/1, 5pm.  

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Museums

• Textility, New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, 68 Elm St., Summit, (908)273-9121, www.artcenternj.org. This comprehensive group survey examines the influence of textile materials and techniques on contemporary art forms. Comprising works by more than 30 artists in a variety of media, the exhibition utilizes exhibition spaces throughout the Arts Center. Open daily, 2/1-3/1, 10am-5pm.  
• Crane Phillips Living Museum, Cranford, (908)276-0082. A preserved Victorian cottage turned museum with artifacts dating back to Colonial times.      
• Eclectic Entertainment, Summit, (908)222-7632. A cultural marketing company, visitors can observe culturally diverse sculptures, paintings and other works of art, with exhibitions changing throughout the year. Visitors must call for an appointment.      
• Miller-Cory House, 614 Mountain Ave., Westfield, (908)232-1776. A nationally recognized living history museum, named in honor of its two 18th century owners who were farmers.      
• NJCVA Maple Street Gallery, 34 Maple Street, Summit, (908)273-9121. Features works by local artists; assorted art shows throughout the year. Call for more info.      
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Ave., Summit, (908)273-8787. Displays trees, shrubs, unusual plant species and herbaceous plants conserved and identified in their natural state for all visitors to study, observe or simply appreciate. Call for hours.      
• Roselle Park Museum, 9 West Grant Ave., Roselle Park, (908)245-1776. Hours are Monday 7-9pm; and Wednesday, 10am-2pm. Learn about the history of the area, dating all the way back to when the land was purchased from the Lenape Indians.      
• Watchung Arts Center, 18 Stirling Rd., Watchung, (908)753-0190. A diverse array of performance art, offering concerts in jazz, classical, improv, comedy and acoustic folk, as well as an array of art exhibits, including still life, sketchings, unique vision, classic art and photo forum. Call for more info.  

   

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Parks and Nature

• Programs for Preschoolers, The Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, (908)789-3670, www.ucnj.org/trailside. Treat your little ones to a variety of preschool programs, including: LET IT SNOW: 2/2 and 2/3. LITTLE STINKERS: 2/9 and 2/10. TURTLE TALK: 2/16 and 2/17. FEBRUARY FESTIVITIES: 2/23 and 2/24.     

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Ongoing: Support Groups, Workshops & More...

• After School Camp Program, The Funplex, 182 Route 10 West, East Hanover, (973)428-0161, www.thefunplex.com. Finally, there is an after school program that combines all the fun of a summer camp with the supervision and dependability of a classroom. The exciting new After School Camp Program at The Funplex has it all! Experienced staff members are always on hand to oversee children during homework time and free play. Your youngsters will be able to enjoy the amazing line-up of games, equipment and activities the Funplex has become famous for. The Funplex After School Camp Program is available Monday - Friday in flexible 3, 4, or 5 day schedules, with a convenient pick-up time of 6:30pm each day. Ongoing throughout the school year.
• Beading Online!, www.BeadLuxe.com. BeadLuxe, the make-your-own jewelry workshop and boutique with locations in Summit and Bedminster, has proudly announced the launch of its on-line store! Known for stylish, unique and custom-made beaded jewelry, the new BeadLuxe site will make available its most popular items such as the Nomen Sterling Silver bracelets personalized for moms, grandmothers, young ladies or sweethearts, and the Sentiments Charm Necklaces which feature themes such as Mother, Friendship, Luck, Adventure and Baby. All BeadLuxe on-line jewelry is created in it’s New Jersey studios and will be presented in BeadLuxe’s signature gift box and beaded tassel. For details and locations, visit on-line at www.BeadLuxe.com.
• Breakdance Workshops, Stories In Motion, Maplewood, (973)313-1050, www.storiesinmotion.org. If your Kindergarten - 5th graders love to dance, then you won’t want to miss these brand new workshops being offered by Stories In Motion. John Carrera (B -Boy Johnny Steel) of the Souljerz Breakdancing Company leads this unique weekly program. Ongoing every Tuesday from 3:50 - 4:50pm for grades K - 2, and from 5 - 6pm for grades 3 - 5. No previous dance experience is necessary. Call Stories In Motion today at (973)313-1050 or visit www.storiesinmotion.org to reserve your child’s spot!
• Grand Opening - A Brand New Facility!, Jazzberries Center for Music & Art, 1677 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, (973) 762-6575, www.jazzberries.kindermusik.net. Kindermusik with Susan Leone is proud to announce that they are now in a brand new facility! The new center will house two spacious studios, a classroom and a large waiting area/retail space. The retail space will offer children’s cds, instruments and books and toys related to music and art. The entire space will be very child friendly, with toys, books and games and fun surfaces to explore. The full range of Kindermusik classes will still be offered for newborns through 7 years where children and families come together for weekly classes of singing, chanting, movement, playing instruments and more! Call for hours and more info.
• Monthly Meetings, The MOMS Club of Woodbridge, Woodbridge Community Center, Main St., Woodbridge, (732)283-7277. The MOMS Club hosts these monthly support meetings designed to make at-home mothers feel good about their decision to stay home with their children. Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10:30am. Upcoming meetings include:
• Mothers Of Only Children of Northern NJ - Are you a Mother of an Only Child???, Join together with other families of Onlies!!! Their group has 80+ families from all over Northern NJ. They offer activities such as getting together with the other Moms or fun outings with the kids!!! For more information please contact Joanne at jkowalski_makeovers @yahoo.com
• Mothers & More, Union County Chapter, (732)388-4390. This not-for-profit organization features guest speakers, playgroups, mom and tot outings, book clubs and more. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the United Methodist Church, Lincoln Ave., E. in Cranford. New members welcome.
• New Jersey Youth Symphony, 570 Central Ave., Murray Hill, (908)771-5544. Celebrating 26 years of talented young musicians. Concerts throughout the year in 3-string orchestras, flute ensembles, etc. Camps and programs offered for musically inclined. Call to inquire.
• On The Trail, The Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, (908)789-3670, www.ucnj.org/trailside. Spend some fun and educational quality time with your family this year with a visit to The Trailside Nature & Science Center, nestled on the breathtaking grounds of the Watchung Reservation, a 2,000 acre preserve containing forests, three ponds, swamps, streams, springs, fields and over fifteen miles of color coded hiking trails. Call times, prices and more info., or for a full schedule of upcoming events.
• Pegasus Global Helicopters, 1101 West Edgar Rd., Linden, (908)866-PEGASUS. Offer tours throughout New York City and several other locations around the area. Also offer a kids helicopter program to help kids better themselves by providing a place where they can learn and experience new worlds. They will learn about aviation, time, earth, space and our place in the universe.
• Ready to Perform, The Newark School of the Arts, 89 Lincoln Park, Newark, (973)642-0133, www.newarkschoolofthearts.org. This winter, Newark School of the Arts invites you to discover an amazing world of visual and performing arts. Aspiring performers of all ages are welcome to study music, dance, drama and visual arts in a supportive and friendly environment. Classes are offered in two 17-week sessions throughout the school year on afternoons, evenings and Saturdays. The winter semester is ongoing now. Call for more info. or to reg.
• Summit Chorale, Summit, (973)762-8486. Auditions held regularly for this talented singing group of all different ages. Performances throughout the year. Call for audition or concert information.
• Union Sports Arena, 2441-A Route 22 West, Union, (908)687-8610, www.unionsportsarena.com. Discover one of the most fun and exciting places for families! Drop in and enjoy Public Skating sessions, Learn-to-Skate programs, Youth Leagues and soccer clinics on the Arena’s impressive new 90’ X 50’ soccer field! They also provide fabulous birthday parties and a wide variety of great hockey instruction, programs and league play for youth, family and adults! So why not score a huge goal with your whole family by paying a visit to Union Sports Arena today.
• Weekly Open Houses, Olympika Gymnastics, 250 Sheffield St., Mountainside, (908)514-0449, www.olympikagymnastics.com. Discover everything that this impressive 9,000 square-foot facility has to offer by paying a visit to one of their informative weekly open houses. Offered Fridays from 6 - 7pm. Call to find out more.

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