Remembering Dr. King, Youth Symphony Mid-Season Concert This Week

Here's what you need to know for the week ahead.

• The East Hanover and Florham Park municipal buildings and public schools  will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The area libraries will be open on the federal holiday. If you have some time off, remember that Jan. 20 is a day to do more than find sales: Take some time to ponder freedom, equality and the dignity of each and every human being we encounter.
• Bring your little one to a Free Story Time at The Messy Artist.  Every Tuesday from 1-1:30 p.m. through March 11, the arts-minded emporium offers a special activity followed by a story.  Books, puppets, and felt stories will all be a part of this enchanting weekly session that allows caregivers and kids 18 months through five years to just drop in. The Messy Artist is at 356 Route 10 West in East Hanover. For more info, call 973-378-2425.
• The New Jersey Youth Symphony’s Youth Symphony performs its mid-season concert Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Dolan Hall at the College of St. Elizabeth. The symphony will perform New Jersey composer Amanda Harberg’s Concerto for Viola and Orchestra featuring solo violist Brett Deubner. The performance is made possible in part by a grant from the Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy. Also on the program are Leonard Bernstein’s "Candide" Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64. Conducting is New Jersey Youth Symphony Artistic Director, Jeffrey Grogan. The venue is at 2 Convent Road in Morristown and the concert is open to the public. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors; they're available at the door.  
• On Wednesday evening, East Hanoverites can enjoy Coffee & Conversation with the Superintendent. From 6-8:30 p.m., talk about education and district issues with East Hanover School District Interim Superintendent Robert P. Mooney. The confab takes place in the Board of Education Conference Room, 20 School Ave. in East Hanover.
• Also on Wednesday, the Hanover Park Regional High School District holds its monthly Board of Education meeting. The public is invited for the gathering, which takes place at 7:30 p.m. The agenda includes discussion items concerning a forthcoming Whippany Park High School fundraiser, the Aramark Food Services Management Contract for 2013-14, student athletic achievements and more. The meeting will be held  in the Administration Building Conference Room at 75 Mt. Pleasant Ave. in East Hanover.
• Friday will be an early dismissal day for all East Hanover District schools and an in-service day for teachers.