Much Art in Weekend Planner

Looking for exciting weekend activities and family-friendly fun? You're in the right place.

We’ve got all the events that are happening aside from the Memorial Day events, which you can check out by clicking here. Below is the combination of our weekly pick of weekend activities, offering both fun weekend activities and great family-friendly fun at the same time. Here are this week's picks: Garage Sale When/Where: Sunday at 10 a.m. at 13 Dana Place in Bernardsville. Why Go: This resident is selling a number of different items, including a Coach diaper bag, potty chair, baby safety gates, clothes and much more. Cost: Free, except for the cost of whatever you buy. Caricatures by Neil McMillin When/Where: Sunday at 11 a.m. on Route 206 in Bedminster. Why Go: Pennsylvania native Neil McMillin has been running his own business for …

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Curbing Hunger Program to Begin in June

The program collects food items to help those in need.

It is that time of year to start looking for the orange Curbing Hunger bags that will be tied to recycling containers across the county throughout June. According to a release, county recycling crews will be delivering the collection bags for the annual drive, and each household will receive two bags. This is the 19th annual Curbing Hunger program to benefit organizations that help the hungry in Somerset County. Plus, this year, there will be an online donation available by visiting yougivegoods.com/curbinghunger2013 and selecting the food to purchase to donate. YouGiveGoods will then deliver that food to the food bank. “Many families are still struggling due to the extended recession and Hurricane Sandy,” Freeholder Director Peter Palmer …

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Where's the Cheapest Gas in the Somerset Hills?

You can use this gas price widget to always find the lowest price of the moment. Pro tip: Gas up early this week to save money.

Click here for a full-screen view of the gas price map. If you don't see a map of your local area, click the magnifying glass in the upper right to enter your address. Nationwide, gas prices were predicted to be lower this summer compared to the last three years, but that won't translate into savings at the pump this Memorial Day weekend, experts said. "Motorists this year are facing rising gas prices heading into the Memorial Day holiday," said Michael Green, a AAA spokesman, adding that Memorial Day 2013 would probably be the most expensive since 2011. In past years, prices have declined heading into early summer as oil refineries produced more gasoline to meet expected summer driving demand. This year, though, Midwest refineries haven't…

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NJ Transit Boosts Memorial Day Service

Extra trains will run to Manhattan for the holiday.

NJ Transit will have extra trains running to and from New York for Memorial Day weekend.  For an advance station-to-station planner click here or for the amended memorial Day schedule click here. NJ Transit Rail service will operate as follows: Friday, May 24 Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 Monday, May 27 For more information, call NJ TRANSIT Customer Service at (973) 275-5555.

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Most Endangered N.J. Places List Includes Sandy-Torn Mansions, Farmland

Group hopes to heighten awareness of 10 sites in need of preservation funding.

A state historic preservation advocacy group released its list of the most endangered New Jersey sites Wednesday, detailing damage, some Superstorm-Sandy related, that has put 10 landmarks at risk for demolition.  Properties that were classified as the "most endangered" have architectural and historic integrity with an identified threat and Preservation New Jersey, the organization that compiled the list, felt their inclusion could potentially help legislators realize the importance in preserving them. Included on the list is Morris County's Glen Alpin property in Harding Township. The Gothic Revival mansion is threatened by a need for sustainable use, according to Preservation New Jersey.  The Morris Canal Rockaway River Aqueduct, in …

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New Indoor Paintball Facility is Largest on East Coast

The facility just opened on Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater.

It is the largest indoor paintball arena both in New Jersey and the whole east coast—and it has come to Bridgewater. Hardcore Paintball Arena opened its doors officially on Chimney Rock Road Friday, with Staten Island residents Harvey Schneider and Angelo DiMaggio at the helm. “We think this is a great town, and we are trying to draw kids and adults of all ages,” Schneider said. “We tell people to try it and see what it’s about.” Schneider said he actually got into this business because of his son, Vincent, who liked playing paintball. “We played at one indoor arena, but mostly outdoor ones,” he said. “I talked with my business partner, and we decided we needed to change that.” And the business stayed in the family because Schneider’s …

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Despite Rain, SHARE Volunteer Sees Charter Day in New Light

SHARE volunteer, a Ridge student, gives up fried Oreos and funnel cakes this year to help reach a goal of bringing learning to girls in Africa.

8 Money-Saving Tricks for Your Memorial Day BBQ (Sponsored)

Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? Here are new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.

Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbecue experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party.   Here's their tips on how to save money on your Memorial Day feast. 1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead — say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled rib eye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbecue grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but …

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