COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, March 12
   Open schoolhouse — New Jersey United Christian Academy, located at 73 Holmes Mills Road in Cream Ridge, is having an open house from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This will be a good opportunity for any prospective students and parents to come to meet the faculty, look at the curriculum for the seventh-through 12th-grade school, and experience the worship and ministry teams. If interested, call 609-738-2121 or e-mail the school at [email protected] or visit its Web site, www.njuca.org. Registration is advised but not required.
Thursday, March 12
   MOMS and low-cost activities — The MOMS Club of Millstone Township monthly meeting begins at 10 a.m. The group will be discussing low- or no-cost monthly calendar activities for all age groups, ranging from newborns and up. They include local day trips, educational sessions, playgroups, local events, seasonal outings, holiday parties, book club, walking club, community service projects, monthly MOMS Nights Out and monthly meetings.
   Mothers from Millstone and Roosevelt are welcome to come meet the club’s members and learn about this international, nonprofit organization. It offers local, stay-at-home and part-time working moms support and the opportunity to share activities and experiences with other local moms and their children.
   For more information, contact Nicole Pyhel at 609-439-9324 or [email protected] or www.millstone.nj.us/Moms_Club.html.
Thursday, March 12
   Growing up a girl — A relaxed look at growing up for girls ages 9 to 12 will be the program at 7 p.m. at the Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System. To register, call the library at 259-2150. The program is sponsored by Princeton HealthCare System Community Education and Outreach.
Friday, March 13
   No green fish – A St. Patty’s fish fry will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the New Egypt Elks Lodge at 105 Lakewood Road. A three-piece fish dinner is $10. Chicken also available. All children’s dinners are $5. Take out is available.
Friday, March 13
   Time for toddlers —Babytime is at 10:30 a.m. at the Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System! Children ages 1 – 2 and their parents are invited to join the fun, which includes rhymes, songs, and simple stories.
   Pre-registration is required. To register or to get further information, call the library at 609-259-2150.
Saturday, March 14
   Escape to matinee — Children of all ages are invited to attend Kids Movie Matinee at the Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System at 10:30 a.m. This month it’s “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.” To register, call the library at 609-259-2150.
Saturday, March 14
   Keep Hope alive – The Central Jersey Auxiliary of Ranch Hope will hold it 24th annual Soup Sale/Lunch/Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Allentown United Methodist Church, 23 Church St. All proceeds benefit Ranch Hope Inc., a nonprofit group that helps teenagers in Alloway. For more information, call 609-758-7272.
Sunday, March 15
   Sunshine, Shadow — Dr. Vera Herman Goodkin, author of the memoir “In Sunshine and In Shadow: We Remember Them,” will make a presentation at 10:30 a.m. at the Perrineville Jewish Center, 855 Perrineville Road, Millstone. Ms. Goodkin was born in Czechoslovakia and lived an idyllic childhood until the Nazi occupation in 1939. After her family’s imprisonment because of their heritage, she and her parents were eventually saved and reunited by Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, and later immigrated to America.
   Non-Temple members are welcome to the brunch and presentation, with a cost of $10. To RSVP, call 908-415-8480 or e- mail [email protected].
Tuesday, March 17
   Safari on DVD — The BUNWC Tri-County Chapter of the Brandeis National Committee will feature one of its own members, Donna Levinston, who will report on the safari that she and her husband took to Tanzania and Kenya. This program, which is an admission-free event, will be held at 2 p.m. at the Robbinsville Branch of the Mercer County Library System, 42 Robbinsville-Allentown Road. The BUNWC Tri-County Chapter is a nonsectarian organization and its members need not be graduates of Brandeis University. For more information, call 609- 298-4515.
Tuesday, March 17
   Horsemen’s meeting — The Horsemen’s Association of Millstone Township will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. in the Millstone Township Community Center, 463 Stagecoach Road, in the Clarksburg section. HAMT is open to both horse and nonhorse owners who all share the same common interest, which is the love of the horse. For more information, call Betty at 609-259-5577 or visit the HAMT Web site at www.hamt.org.
Thursday, March 19
   History up close — Allentown resident Larry Gaylord will share his experience as a youth in war-torn England and his journey to the states at the monthly meeting of he Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society. The meeting is held at 7 p.m. at the Allentown United Methodist Church on Church Street.
Thursday, March 19
   Time for a story —After school storytime will be held at 4:15 p.m. at the Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System. Children are invited to come create a special craft and listen to artistic tales.
   Pre-registration is required. To register, call the library at 609-259-2150.
Friday, March 20
   Blinded by science — The Allentown/Upper Freehold Elementary School will hold a Science Night Live from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Science Night Live is an annual event where local scientists come and do hands-on experiments with the children ages kindergarten through fourth grade. Among those participating this year are the Lizard Guys, the Allentown High School Robotics Club, the Amateur Astronomers and Princeton Plasma Physics. There also will be a special presentation by an FBI forensics expert.
Saturday, March 21
   Hot event — Allentown will hold its fourth annual chili contest from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Allentown First Aid Building on Waker Avenue/Route 526). Contestants must pre-register chili entries to be judged by calling Sandy at 259-6405. The event also will include entertainment for the whole family. Admission is $2 for children 3 to 12 years old and $5 for adults, with proceeds benefiting the Allentown First Aid Squad. It is sponsored by the Allentown Recreation Commission.
Wednesday, March 25
   Irish roots — Are you considering researching your Irish heritage but don’t know how or where to begin? Make the Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System, your starting point. Catherine “Casey” Zahn will show you How to Research Your Irish Roots at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required for all library programs. To register or to get more information, call the library at 609-259-2150.
Saturday, March 28
   Double bill — Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Robbinsville branch of the Mercer County Library System at 2 p.m. with two unique American short stories performed by actress Michèle LaRue. Tales Well Told is a pairing of stories that explore two dilemmas that women still face. Kate Chopin’s poignant “A Pair of Silk Stockings” addresses the first: who comes first – me or my family?, as a widow takes an impromptu holiday from home. Edna Ferber’s “Representing T. A. Buck” confronts the other: where do I belong – at home or at work?, as a traveling saleswoman longs for life off the road.
   Pre-registration is required. To register or to get further information, call the library at 609-259-2150.
Saturday, March 28
   Easter egg hunt – The Allentown Lions Club’s annual event starts at 9 a.m. sharp near the basketball court on Lakeview Drive. There will be many prizes for the youngsters. The rain date is Sunday, April 5 at 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 29
   Dynamic duo – The Millstone Township Performing Arts Center welcomes CIRCO COMEDIA, starring the duo of Jean Saucier and Patrick Cote, all the way from Canada, to perform at 2 p.m. Following in the tradition of the Quebec Circus, Jean Saucier, master equilibrist, juggler, trick cyclist, acrobat and magician, performs his feats from dizzying heights while Patrick Cote, burlesque clown, expert roller skater and drummer, innocently tries his best to be the (imperfect) assistant. Ticket price includes admission to our pre-show circus party at the Performing Arts Center from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Contact the box office at 732-446-8480 or [email protected].
Thursday, April 2
   Wellness in the workplace –The Robbinsville chapter of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its breakfast meeting at 8 a.m. at Roma Bank headquarters, 2300 Route 33. The featured speaker will be Lindsay Vastola, fitness trainer and founder of Body Project Fitness & Health, who will analyze the quickly-growing trend of corporate wellness programs. Discover how to decrease your bottom line by investing in the health and wellness of your employees in a climate where bonuses and raises are scarce. For more information, or to be placed on the chapter’s e-mail list, contact Dru Gropp Damico at 609-394-7557, extension 113, or at drudamico@aol.
Continuing events
   Discussing books – The Plumsted branch of the Ocean County Library has a book discussion group that meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Registration can be done in person, by phone at 609-758-7888 or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
   C.A.M.P. program: The mid-week Children’s Arts and Music Program is held at the Allentown Methodist Church, located at 23 Church St./Route 526. This ecumenical program is for children aged 6 through sixth grade. It is held Wednesday evenings, provides a home-cooked meal and a rotation of activities to help children experience spiritual formation and character development through the arts. The winter session will run for ten weeks. Families are welcome to participate, regardless of religious affiliation. For additional information, visit www.ccchoir.com or contact Pat Weitz at 609-587-7076 or [email protected].
   Tax help in Robbinsville: Every Wednesday, through April 15, volunteers from AARP will be available at the Robbinsville Branch, Mercer County Library to help anyone fill out basic income tax forms. Appointments are every hour on the half-hour starting at 9:30 a.m., with the last appointment at 12:30 p.m. The only requirement is that you bring last year’s completed form and this year’s income tax booklet. Registration is a must. You may call or stop at the library to arrange for an appointment. The library’s phone number is 609-259-2150.
   ESL group in Allentown: English As A Second Language classes for adults meet every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Upper Freehold Regional Middle School, 27 High St., room 203. A multi-media approach is used to teach English with a concentration on the English necessary for parents with children in school. No class if school is closed for the day.
   Millstone Women’s Club: The Millstone Township Women’s Organization meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. September through May at the Clarksburg Community Center, Stage Coach Road. All Millstone Township women are welcome and encouraged to join.
   For more information, visit the club’s new Web site, MTWO.org or e-mail at [email protected].
   Robbinsville networking: The Robbinsville Business Networking Group meets at 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. The group is intended for entrepreneurs and business owners who have school-age children, and holds family-oriented community events, sponsored by members, at local establishments.
   For more information, visit www.RobbinsvilleBNG.com. Call Deena at 609-945-7330 to be invited to an upcoming meeting.