Other News | Town Topics

August 29, 2018

Relying on Core of Committed Veterans, PHS Football Aiming to Taste Victory

BIG JAY: Princeton High football player Jaylen Johnson takes a break in action last fall. Senior Johnson is going to be busy for PHS this year, playing running back and defensive line. The Little Tigers open their 2018 campaign when they host Hamilton on September 8. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The goal for the Princeton High football team is simple as it heads into the 2018 season.

“We want to win some football games,” said PHS head coach Charlie Gallagher, whose squad went 0-10 last fall. “I am excited about our coaching staff because we have put in great work and we are coaching these kids up.”

GETTING IN FORM: Princeton High girls’ soccer player Camille Franklin controls the ball in a training session last week. Senior Franklin figures to be a key offensive weapon for PHS this fall. The Little Tigers kick off their 2018 season by hosting WW/P-South on September 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

With the Princeton High girls’ soccer team having lost a slew of seniors after going 10-6-2 in 2017, there will be new faces in new places for the squad this fall.

“It seems like everybody is ready to step up and really contribute and fill their role,” said PHS head coach Val Rodriguez, whose team opens regular season play by hosting WW/P-South on September 6.

August 22, 2018

Story Time

Students at Chapin School Princeton enjoy a captivating tale in one of the school’s outdoor classrooms. This week’s Back to School special section begins on page 25. (Photo Courtesy of Chapin School Princeton)

Officials Condemn White Nationalist Stickers

By Donald Gilpin

Town officials have condemned the white nationalist stickers that appeared on lamp posts downtown last Thursday, posted by supporters of a group known as the New Jersey European Heritage Association (NJEHA) and declaring “Reclaim Your Nation. Reclaim Your Heritage.”

“Mayor and Council join our residents in condemning the racist materials spread by white supremacists in our central business district,” Mayor Liz Lempert and Princeton Council wrote in a joint statement. “We know Princeton’s longtime strength is its diversity. We know that what unites us as a community is far stronger than the twisted rhetoric of those who would divide us.” more

BOE Set to Endorse Referendum Proposal For November Ballot

By Donald Gilpin

Amidst controversy and a variety of concerns voiced privately and publicly, the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education (BOE) is preparing to approve the final draft of its $129.6M facilities bond referendum, which will go on the November 6 ballot.

“The DOE [New Jersey Department of Education] is currently reviewing all projects associated with the referendum, and the Board looks forward to approving the ballot question at its next meeting on Tuesday, September 4,” said Superintendent Steve Cochrane. more

Smart Cards to Be Phased Out as Part of New Parking Plan

By Anne Levin

Attention, holders of Smart Cards: using them to pay for parking at the Spring Street Garage and at meters around town will soon be obsolete. The municipality of Princeton is urging cardholders to use up their balances as the town prepares to transition to a new parking system.

While Princeton Council has yet to make final decisions on other components of the system, which is being designed to be more economical, technically sophisticated, and user-friendly, members agreed at their August 13 meeting that it was important to begin alerting the public to the pending Smart Card changes. more

Panel Experts Will Discuss Immigration, Provide Information on Multiple Issues

“YOU ARE WELCOME HERE”: Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF) board members gather at their new headquarters on South Clinton Street in Trenton. Executive Director Adriana Abizadeh (in red dress at center) will be a panelist at a discussion of “Immigration Today, A Latino Reality” at the old Princeton Borough Hall on Monument Drive on Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Photo Courtesy of LALDEF)

By Donald Gilpin

“Immigration Today, A Latino Reality,” a discussion of local and national immigration issues, led by a panel of experts, will take place at the old Borough Hall on Monument Drive on Thursday, August 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Asylum and refugees, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA), separation of families, amnesty, temporary protected status, the Muslim ban, the role of faith-based communities, and sanctuaries will be among the topics explored at the event sponsored by Princeton Community Television and the TV show Perdidos en America. more

Taneshia Nash Laird Steps Down From Arts Council of Princeton

By Anne Levin

After less than two years as executive director of the Arts Council of Princeton, Taneshia Nash Laird has resigned the post effective at the end of this month.

Jim Levine will step down from his position as board president to serve as interim executive director beginning September 4, while a search is launched for Laird’s replacement. Maria Evans, the artistic director of the organization, will continue to oversee programming and education. more

A Dinner Party for the Ages With Debussy, Dorothy Parker, and the Queen of Soul

By Stuart Mitchner

The guest list for this week was set for Debussy and Dorothy Parker until the news of Aretha Franklin’s death. The upside of an open-ended column is that there’s seemingly room at the last minute even for someone of Aretha’s magnitude. It’s like a variation on the who-would-you-invite-to-a-dinner-party question people get asked every week in the New York Times Book Review. At this one, you can be sure the piano would get a work-out and the music would be amazing, but what would they talk about? One obvious thing the Queen of Soul and the Dark Lady of the Algonquin Round Table have in common is that both received lavish front-page Times obituaries, with last Friday’s edition running an inventory of Franklin’s “essential songs” not unlike the June 8, 1967 issue’s extensive sampler of Dorothy Parker’s “rapier wit.” more

School Matters: Week of 8-22-18

PDS Architecture Exhibit Features Work of Recent Alumni

An exhibition of work by recent graduates of the Princeton Day School (PDS) architecture program will be on display at the PDS Anne Reid ’72 Art Gallery, free and open to the public from September 4 to October 5.

Titled “Evolution of a Concept,” the show features the work of five alumni — Zach Dudek, Paul Fuschetti, Noah Liao, Marco Pinheiro, and Christina Tian, all of whom worked with PDS architecture and design teacher David Burkett for four years in the architecture studios at PDS. more

Arts Council of Princeton’s Fall Open House

ACP FALL OPEN HOUSE: The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) will host its annual Fall Open House on Saturday, September 8 from 1-3 p.m. Attendees of this free, family-friendly event can expect lots of hands-on activities, including the creation of a community mural. Chris Rollins of Chris and The Crew from 94.5 WPST will also be on hand for the festivities.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) will host its annual Fall Open House on Saturday, September 8 from 1-3 p.m. Attendees of this free, family-friendly event can expect hands-on art activities, including a community mural; meet and greet instructors; and learn about the Arts Council’s fall community programs, events, membership, and volunteer opportunities. Plus, meet Chris Rollins of Chris and The Crew from 94.5 WPST. more

Carrier Clinic Seeks Applicants At Upcoming Area Job Fairs

Carrier Clinic, New Jersey’s largest behavioral health system, will be accepting student employment applications at four college campus job fairs this fall. Dates are September 12, Rutgers University; September 21, Princeton University; September 27, Rider University; and September 28, The College of New Jersey.

“Are you about to graduate and want to gain valuable experience in the behavioral health field?” said Crystal Pantojan, human resources recruiter. “Then look for the Carrier table. You may also refer to the respective college websites for further details. We hope to see you there.” more

Art and Furnishings Auction at Rago

On Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26, Rago Arts and Auction Center will hold a three-day Unreserved Auction of early 20th century art and design, modern and contemporary art and design, Scandinavian furniture, garden décor, and more. Included are period and modern works of Arts and Crafts design; American and European mid-century furnishings; a broad selection of rugs, lighting, and estate goods; prints, duplicates, and works on paper; and antique and contemporary art glass.

“We are always excited by the diverse mix of property in Rago’s Unreserved Auction,” says Michael Ingham, director of Rago’s unreserved department. “Perfect for that first home or updating your style, all the property is attractively priced and ready to go. We’re also pleased to present a substantial collection of outdoor and garden items at the end of Sunday’s sale. There’s truly something for everyone.” more

“Bluebird on a Branch”

This painting by Aileen D. is featured in “Healing in Nature,” an exhibit at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Marie L. Matthews Galleries in the Johnson Education Center at One Preservation Place, Princeton through August 31. The exhibit showcases artwork created by people who have benefited from HomeFront’s ArtSpace program. The public is invited to a closing reception to meet the artists on Tuesday, August 28, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The reception is free, but rsvp@drgreenway.org to attend.

Willoughby, Weild IV to Speak At the Global Business Event

The Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) is partnering with the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce (MCRCC) for its Fourth Annual Global Business Summit, taking place September 7, 8-11 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Princeton.

The summit is the largest global business event in Central New Jersey and offers many chamber, regional, and international networking opportunities. more

Apple Days Harvest Festivals Planned at Terhune Orchards

For over 40 seasons, Terhune Orchards on Cold Soil Road has held festivals to celebrate its abundant apple harvest. This year’s harvest weekends take place from September 15 through October 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.

Families can take tractor-pulled wagon rides, explore the corn stalk maze, listen to country music by local bands, indulge in cider and donuts, stroll the farm trail, pick apples and pumpkins, and more. Children’s activities include scavenger hunts, rubber duck races, pumpkin painting, and many more ways for children to interact with nature on the farm. The Adventure Barn is decorated differently each year and tells the story of life on a farm. This year’s theme is corn. more

The Citizen: Love Blossoms in Budapest Between Teacher and African Refugee

By Kam Williams

A number of years ago, after his wife and daughters were slaughtered during a period of civil unrest in his African homeland, Wilson (Cake-Baly Marcelo) escaped to Hungary. The 50-something widower chose to seek political asylum in Budapest instead of continuing on to Western Europe like most of his fellow refugees.

He soon found a nice apartment and steady work as a supermarket security guard and liked living in the city. However, the only thing standing in the way of his staying in Hungary permanently was that he repeatedly flunked the country’s tough citizenship test.

His boss Eva (Tunde Szalontay) did not want to lose her reliable “Employee of the Year,” and suggested that Wilson take history and language lessons from her sister Mari (Agnes Mahr), a teacher. However, sparks flew between Wilson and Mari, who was in an unhappy marriage. Their tutorial sessions soon turned into a whirlwind romance that included dancing, swimming, and dining together. more

After Rocky Start to Penn Men’s Track Career PHS Alum Roth Primed for Sophomore Year

ON TRACK: Alex Roth is competing for the University of Pennsylvania men’s track team in a meet last March at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Former Princeton High standout Roth ended his freshman campaign by taking ninth in the 10,000-meter run at the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships this past May. Last week, he returned to Penn to begin preseason practice for his sophomore cross country season. (Photo Provided by Penn Athletics)

By Bill Alden

Alex Roth enjoyed a dominant senior season in 2016-17, setting the pace for the Princeton High boys’ cross country and track programs.

In the fall, Roth placed first in the county cross country meet, fourth at the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional meet, and second at the state Group 4 meet as the Little Tigers finished first in the team standings at each competition. He ended the historic campaign by helping PHS win the Meet of Champions (MOC) for the first time in school history as he placed third individually. more

Helene Cody 5k Race Set for September 8

The 10th Annual Helene Cody 5-kilometer race and 1-Mile Fun Run is taking place on September 8, starting near the Cranbury Fire Department at 2 South Main Street in Cranbury.

The fun run begins at 8:15 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9 a.m. The 5K is chip-timed and USATF-certified with water stations and musical performers throughout the course. more

Springdale Golf Club Hosting Women’s Clinic

After hosting an AJGA Championship tournament this July, the Springdale Golf Club is holding a PGA Golf Clinic for Women on September 26.

More than 40,000 people have participated in PGA Golf Clinics for Women since 1990. Limited to a group of 48 participants, the women spend a day learning all aspects of social and business golf from female PGA and LPGA teaching professionals. more

August 15, 2018

Community Night Out

Members of the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad displayed their emergency tools and equipment last Tuesday at the annual event at Community Park Pool. The Princeton Police Department, PBS Local #130, and Princeton Recreation Department hosted the festivities, which also featured free swimming, hot dogs, bottled water, and ice cream as well as K-9 demonstrations, games, and a dunk tank. Participants share how they would show appreciation for first responders in this week’s Town Talk on page 6. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)

Five Candidates Compete for Three School Board Seats

By Donald Gilpin

When Princeton voters go to the polls on November 6, the much discussed facilities referendum won’t be the only important question they face in determining the future of thousands of Princeton Public Schools (PPS) children. Also on the ballot will be five candidates vying for three positions on the Board of Education (BOE).

Two one-term incumbents, Betsy Baglio and Dafna Kendal, and three new hopefuls, Mary Clurman, Daniel J. Dart, and Brian J. McDonald, are all seeking three-year terms on the ten-member board. more

More Back and Forth Claims About Proposed Westminster Sale

By Anne Levin

As the sale of Westminster Choir College (WCC) by Rider University remains unresolved, those in favor and those opposed to the transaction continue to publicize their positions. A public forum on Wednesday, August 29 at Nassau Presbyterian Church will provide an update on the situation, which includes two pending lawsuits against the University.

In recent weeks, Rider’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has been circulating a petition to segments of the higher education and classical music communities asking for support in their opposition to the proposed sale. Rider wants to sell the 22-acre Westminster campus to the Chinese company known as Kaiwen Education. more

Renovated Mary Moss Playground Is Town’s Biggest Park Project

WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE: Children from the Princeton Recreation Department’s summer programs were the first to try out the Mary Moss Playground’s new sprayground at the reopening of the park last week. Judging from their screams of joy, they approved. (Photo by Scotia Macrae)

By Anne Levin

The official reopening of the Mary Moss Playground last week marked the last of the revitalizations of Princeton’s small pocket parks. The August 8 ribbon-cutting ceremony, which concluded with the ecstatic yelps of children negotiating the new sprayground, marked a milestone for the Witherspoon/Jackson historic district. more

SAVE Earns Coveted Rating From Charity Navigator

SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. This is the first time that SAVE has earned this top distinction, which recognizes strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Since 2002, using objective analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added 17 metrics, focused on governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, to its ratings methodology. These Accountability & Transparency metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities operate in accordance with industry best practices and whether they are open with their donors and stakeholders. more