Events this Week: Jan. 24 – 31, 2024

There’s lots to do this week – we recommend checking out the “Harborside Chats” in Cape May, which highlight important issues facing our ecosystems. Otherwise, roller skating continues in Cape May, great group hikes take place at the state forest, and the fantastic new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie gets a free screening in Ocean City. Orange links are clickable.

Roller Skating in Cape May 

Friday to Sunday all January long 

Cape May Convention Hall  

In the off-season, the Cape May Convention Hall transforms into a skating rink for all ages. Skate rentals are available. Friday skate is from 4 to 6 p.m. and then again from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday skate is from 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 p.m. For info about special theme nights, check out capemaycity.com/calendar 

Free Movie: The Lightning Thief 

Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 3 p.m.  

Ocean City Library Room N110 

Free snacks will be provided – bring a friend! 

Harborside Chat: The Death of Migratory Songbirds

Thursday, Jan. 25 at 12 p.m.  

Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May 

Migratory songbirds are dying by the BILLIONS! And it’s not just from the light pollution that we learned about last week, but they are dying from crashing into buildings, habitat loss, killer agricultural practices, invasive plant & animal species, microplastics, herbicides, pesticides, biocides, power-lines, and so much more, even your own windows! This will be an open discussion led by local experts about the threats and what can be done to preserve our avian populations. Pre-register online via the link above.

Coffee with Cops in Ocean City 

Saturday, Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Ocean City Public Library – outside atrium  

Grow Mushrooms at Home 

Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  

355 Courthouse – South Dennis Road 

Did you have success with a mushroom grow-at-home kit and now you want to dive deeper into the Myco-verse?  The hands-on class will cover various growing methods, including setting up a small “Martha” or indoor greenhouse, log inoculation, tub and bucket grows. $20 per person.  

Thursday Hikes at Belleplain State Forest  

Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m.   

Belleplain Park Office, 1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine  

Park employees take visitors on a group hike! Dress warm! 

Belleplain “Wolf Moon” Hike 

Thursday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. 

Meet at the Belleplain Park Office 

Come see the trails illuminated by the full moon for this chilly night hike.  

Teddy Bear Picnic 

Saturday, Jan. 27 from 10 to 11 a.m.  

Stone Harbor Library, 9516 2nd Ave.  

Children ages 2-6 are invited to build their own stuffed bears at the Stone Harbor Library! Join us for a variety of fun Teddy Bear activities! 

Belleplain Dog Hike 

Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m.    

Belleplain Park Office, 1 Henkinsifkin Road, Woodbine   

Visitors and park employees embark on a group hike with their *leashed, well-trained* dogs. The hike is about 6 miles long.  

Author Talk: The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food 

Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. 

Launch your New Year healthy with Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric neuroendocrinologist who has long been on the cutting edge of medicine and science. He challenges our current healthcare paradigm which has gone off the rails under the influence of big food, big pharma, and big government. Register for this virtual author talk and check out other online author talks here: https://libraryc.org/oceancitylibrary/upcoming 

Winter on the Marsh 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m.  

Lower Township Library 

Presented by the Wetlands Institute. Though winter is a quieter time in our marshes and local ecosystems, there’s still plenty of life down at the shore! This presentation will discuss our winter residents here in New Jersey, both the ones we can see around and the ones who go dormant during the colder months, and their strategies to survive. 

Free Movie: TMNT Mutant Mayhem 

Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m.  

Ocean City Library Room N110 

Free snacks will be provided – bring a friend!