March 20, 2024

Making Huge Progress in 2nd Season Back Wrestling, Princeton Resident Renda Made States for Notre Dame

WILL TO WIN: Notre Dame High wrestler and Princeton resident Will Renda celebrates with coach EJ Nemeth at the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Region 6 tourney after clinching a spot at 215 pounds in the Boys Wrestling State Championships in Atlantic City. Junior Renda went on to go 2-2 in his debut at states, falling in the third place consolations. (Photo provided by Will Renda)

By Bill Alden

Will Renda enjoyed competing for the Princeton Amateur Wrestling Society (PAWS) as a grade schooler, but he eventually got away from the mat.

The versatile Renda focused on football, lacrosse, and basketball in middle school before entering Notre Dame High in 2021.

But as he worked out after his freshman football season at Notre Dame, Princeton resident Renda started thinking about returning to the mat. more

Expressing Gratitude to All Who Supported People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos Event

To the Editor:

“People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos is close to my heart … they bring the kind of validation and support for language and my place in the world I wished I had had growing up.” – Denice Frohman

These words were one of many highlights of a warm, entertaining, and moving afternoon supporting People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos. “Notable Words/Palabras Notables: An Afternoon of Readings and Conversation with Melissa Coss Aquino Denice Frohman, and Luis Mora-Ballesteros, moderated by Nora Muniz” was held on March 17 in the Mackay Lounge on the campus of the Princeton Theological Seminary.

We are so grateful to our community of ticket buyers, and individual and corporate sponsors. Thank you also to the Hispanic Theological Initiative at Princeton Theological Seminary for their support and to PTS for providing such a wonderful venue.

Charlotte Friedman
Andrea Honore
Board Co-Chairs, People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos
Eggerts Crossing Road

Sharing Concerns About Proposed New Development in Jugtown Historic District

To the Editor:

As I read Clifford Zink’s recently published history on the Jugtown Historic District that Anne Levin highlighted in last week’s edition [“Booklet Considers the History of Jugtown as Development Pressures are Looming,” March 13, page 1], I was struck with the fact that although nearly 300 years have passed since its original settlement dating to 1730, the area still retains much of its historic character. Heading south on Route 27, the King’s Highway, towards Princeton, there is a distinction in the surroundings that one observes as you approach the area that constitutes this 18th century crossroads village. Quaint Colonial structures convey a sense of history from days gone past. It’s unmistakable — something seems irreplaceable about this part of town. more

Thanking Those Who Support Food Systems Literacy Programs at PPS

To the Editor:

Thanks to Mimi Omiecinski’s community-building efforts, Pi Day, with its Einstein Look-Alike Contest and family fun, has become an annual frolic. A less visible benefit is the partnership that Pi Day fosters between iconic institutions that enables food systems literacy programs for students at Princeton Public Schools.

Each year, proprietors Jen Carson of LiLLiPiES bakery and Gab Carbone (and co-founder and business partner Matt Errico) of the bent spoon ice cream parlor create a Pi Day Sundae sold around 3.14. This year, they created cherry LiLLiPiES with choice of ice cream at the bent spoon, and brownie LiLLiPiES with mascarpone ice cream at LiLLiPiES.  more

Expressing Thanks to Community Members  Who Supported Successful Princeton 5K

To the Editor:
The Princeton High School Cross Country-Track & Field Boosters would like to thank many in the community for supporting the Princeton 5K that was held on Saturday, March 16. We had a record turnout with 487 people, ages 6 to 77, crossing the finish line of the 5K, and another 50 young athletes in the 300-meter kids dash. We thank everyone who came out to run, walk, and cheer.

We are extremely fortunate to have an amazing group of sponsors this year. Princeton Tree Care returned as a gold sponsor for the third year in a row. Perennial sponsors jaZams, Princeton Orthopaedics Associates, and Queenston Realty joined them at the gold level this year. First-time sponsors Lawrenceville Foot Care and Tacoria also contributed at the gold level. Fleet Feet Princeton Running Company returned as a silver sponsor, donated awards for top finishers, and held our packet pick-up event. The Princeton 5K is the largest annual fundraiser for the PHSCCTF Booster club, a 501(c)(3). All donations directly support the Princeton High School Boys and Girls Cross-Country and Track & Field teams. Please check out all our sponsors at Princeton5K.com. more

Obituaries 3/20/2024

Richard (Dick) Bergman

Richard (Dick) Bergman died peacefully on February 17 in Princeton, New Jersey. It was very important to him to reach his 90th birthday on January 18, 2024. He was delighted to receive over 50 cards, many with very personal statements about how Dick influenced the sender’s life. There were also emails and drawings of dinosaurs, stars, and rainbows by grand-nieces and nephews. He loved those because he remembered working with daughters, nieces, and nephews to stargaze and build rockets and robots.

Born January 18, 1934 to Joseph and Clara Menchel Bergman, Dick grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Yeadon, Pennsylvania. In 1951, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned first a Bachelor and then a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering. MIT became a lifelong constant, and he served many roles for the institution, including as a member of visiting committees, on the Board of the Alumnae Association, as a local interviewer for prospective students, and as Secretary of the Class of ’55, during which time he wrote (and often tactfully edited) dozens of Class Notes columns celebrating the lives of his peers. He and Vicky attended every fifth year reunion, starting with the 25th and ending with his 60th.

After graduation, Dick worked first for Esso, then took an opportunity at startup Princeton Chemical Research, where he was Director of Engineering and Development. Based on work he did at these companies, he held a number of U.S. and foreign patents. When an opportunity to start a business with a friend arose, he took the chance and they created Systemedics, Inc., in 1967 which offered the then-new computerized technology of providing information processing for medical offices. They built an office building at Princeton Air Park. After watching the planes come and go, Dick took flying lessons and enjoyed taking his daughters on flights to the Jersey shore.

Systemedics also worked with innovative physicians to develop and provide the Problem Oriented Medical Record to physician’s offices. Systemedics was ultimately bought by Equifax, while Dick was on assignment in Washington, D.C., as the Executive Director of President Jimmy Carter’s Interagency Taskforce on Workplace Safety and Health.

Corporate life wasn’t his passion, so he politely declined an offer from Equifax to join their executive ranks. He and Vicky then created Savant Associates, an environmental safety and health policy consulting service. They also incorporated Project Masters, which provided POMR forms for doctors’ offices, and later offered medical, technical, and scientific photos used in textbooks, reference works, and ads. They retired from work life in 2020.

As a longtime resident of Princeton, Dick was known for his lively conversation, curiosity, excellent dinners, and wise — often ahead of his time — mentorship and advice. He was deeply involved in his community, including the MIT Club of Princeton which he served for two years as President, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization, Hands Across America, the Princeton Summer Chamber Concerts, and the Old Guard.

He also served as President of The Jewish Center from 1994 to 1996, and was one of four founders and long-term President of Community Without Walls (CWW). CWW was formed to bring together friends and neighbors to support each other to age in place, their own homes, or other residential locations. He brought his keen insight and sense of equality to all roles.

He and Vicky had season tickets for many decades to McCarter’s Music Series, and also regularly enjoyed special programs, theater, and dance there. They supported the library and the Institute for Advanced Studies, attending many events at both.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Susan Hackett. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife, Victoria Bergman, who was his partner in all things; his daughter Deborah Bergman; his brother Donald Bergman and wife Susan Bergman; his grandchildren, Cheryl Hackett and Jennifer Hackett and her spouse Ash Moore; seven siblings-in-law and their spouses (thanks to Vicky’s large family); many grandnieces and nephews in six States; and beloved friends, neighbors, and caregivers.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Jewish Center, Princeton, or Planned Parenthood.

———

Rabbi Howard Hersch

Rabbi Howard Hersch, 86, Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown, PA, and formerly Trenton, NJ, passed away on March 14, 2024.

Over 60 years ago, Rabbi Howard Hersch was elected Rabbi of a small congregation in Trenton, New Jersey, that had recently voted to become Conservative. Working together with an outstanding group of leaders they built a vibrant spiritual home for all, soon to be known as Congregation Brothers of Israel.

In addition to being ordained from the Academy for Jewish Religion, Rabbi Hersch returned to the Jewish Theological Seminary and received his Master’s in Hebrew Literature, Rabbinic Ordination, and Doctor of Divinity.

During the time of radical changes in Jewish life, Rabbi was most proud of being part of a synagogue that was forward-looking, accepting of change, and building for the future, without division or losing members.

In Rabbi Hersch’s years of service, he received numerous awards and honors for his work on behalf of the Jewish community, here and abroad. He was honored by the State of Israel, The National Board of Jewish Federation, and the Recipient of The Golden Shofar Award by Israel Bonds. Rabbi Hersch served on Rabbinical Boards and other prestigious bodies for the betterment of Jewish Life and worthwhile humanitarian causes. He has been honored by several Congressional resolutions and Presidential commendations, thanking him for years of service.

Rabbi Hersch’s greatest joy was his wonderful family. He is survived by his beloved wife Joan, all of his cherished children, Avra and Elie Gordis, Seth and Renee Hersch, Jonathan and Julie Hersch, Elicia Brand and David Leudemann, and Marni Brand and Mike Berg. The lights of his life, his spectacular grandchildren, Tamar, Ben and Amy, Rebecca and Ezra, Arielle, Shira, Noah, Carter, Parker, Isla, Kye, and Joss.

He is also survived by his sister and brother-in law, Judy and Marvin Kantor, as well as nieces, nephews, and many cousins. Lastly, the many members of his congregation, who were his family as well.

Funeral services were March 17 at Congregation Brothers of Israel in Newtown, PA, with burial at Congregation Brothers of Israel Cemetery in Hamilton, NJ.

Shiva will be observed through Thursday (March 21) at the home of Joan Hersch from 5 to 7 p.m. with minyan at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Brothers of Israel (CBOI.org).

Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. For condolences please visit OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Rabbi-Howard-Hersch.

———

Helen C. Perone

Helen C. Perone (Sandy), 93, passed away peacefully at her home in Skillman, NJ, while surrounded by her family on March 16, 2024.

Helen was born in Princeton, NJ, in 1931, and graduated from Princeton High School.

Helen was married to her late husband Albert (Slick) Perone for 51 loving years.

She is survived by her four children: Steven M. Perone and Jill Perone of Skillman, Donna L. DePace of Hamilton, David A. Perone and Kelly Perone of Hopewell, and Thomas R. Perone and Angela Perone of Belle Mead.

Helen also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Kevin, Steve, Krista, Jenna, Justin, Zachary, Nicholas, Alexander, Damien, and four great-grandchildren Ben, Owen, Olivia, and Lily Mae. All of those she loved and touched deeply.

Helen was a proud resident of Montgomery where she lived and raised her family for over 50 years.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and was loved by all that knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

March 13, 2024

Celebrating Pi Day Princeton

Albert Einstein reenactor Bill Agress, rear, gathered with young participants in the Einstein Look-Alike Contest on Saturday at Princeton Public Library. Presented by the Princeton Tour Company, the event was one of many scheduled in honor of Einstein’s birthday, March 14 (3.14) — the numeric equivalent of pi. (Photo by Sarah Teo)

Candidates Gearing Up for High-Stakes Primary

By Donald Gilpin

National politics has been constantly in the news in this 2024 election year, and closer to home the political heat is rising, with the June 4 New Jersey primary on the horizon and the March 25 candidates’ filing deadline less than two weeks away.

The main attention-grabbing political item locally and throughout New Jersey has been the battle between Congressman Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy, wife of N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy, for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate seat likely to be vacated by Sen. Robert Menendez, who is currently under federal indictment on corruption charges and has not filed for reelection. more

Penn Medicine Princeton Proposes New Cancer Center For Plainsboro Campus

By Anne Levin

Penn Medicine Princeton Health is planning a new cancer center at its Plainsboro campus. The proposed 195,000-square-foot facility includes more than 40 exam rooms, over 30 infusion chairs, and two radiation oncology linear accelerators.

The estimated cost of the project, which includes a six-level parking garage and a 31,000-square-foot imaging center for outpatients, is $401 million, according to a Penn Medicine spokesperson. The proposal is currently in the early stages of the approval process in Plainsboro Township. more

Booklet Considers the History of Jugtown as Development Pressures are Looming

CROSSROADS OF A VILLAGE: The house at 342 Nassau Street originally had its kitchen wing on the east side, but it was moved to the west side of the building in a widening of North Harrison Street. This and other historical facts are the focus of a new publication on the history of Jugtown. (Photo by Clifford Zink)

By Anne Levin

Clifford Zink is a longtime resident of Princeton’s Jugtown section. During one of his regular walks down Nassau Street, he began to wonder about two small remnants of its past — a flat, brownstone slab in front of No. 343, and an upright, granite post topped with a hook at No. 361. A historian and author, Zink put his researching skills to work.

The slab, he found, was a block for horse and carriage mounting. And the column of granite was a hitching post for horses. These discoveries were the beginning of Zink’s new booklet Jugtown/Queenston, Princeton’s 18th Century Crossroads Village. The 48-page publication about Princeton’s third-oldest neighborhood is illustrated with then-and-now photographs of houses; pictures of jugs made in the area’s potteries, which closed in the mid-1800s; and historical maps. Zink, who is leading a walking tour of the area this Saturday, March 16 (sponsored by the Historical Society of Princeton and sold out), shot all of the photos himself. more

Charter School Wins Regional Science Bowl, Will Compete for National Middle School Title

SCIENCE BOWL CHAMPS: The Princeton Charter School team will be going to the National Science Bowl for the sixth time next month, after winning the regional competition. Standing in front of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory model stellarator are, from left, Angelica Feng, Asa Fleischer-Graham, Aaron Wang, Rohan Srivastava, Joshua Huang, and Coach Laura Celik. (Photo by Michael Livingston/PPPL Department of Communications)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton Charter School (PCS), for the sixth time in seven years, has won the regional competition for the National Science Bowl  and will compete in the National Science Bowl National Finals in Washington, D.C., from April 25 to 29.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the National Science Bowl brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete in a fast-paced question-and-answer contest where they solve technical problems and answer questions from a range of disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth and space sciences, physics, and math. more

Fare Hikes on NJ Transit Could Be Implemented This Summer

By Anne Levin

Come July, riders on NJ Transit trains may be paying $18.40 to travel one way between Princeton Junction and New York’s Penn Station, up from the current $16. Public comment ended last week for fare increases proposed by NJ Transit earlier this year to close a budget shortfall of $106.6 million.

Since the onset of the pandemic, ridership has returned to approximately 80 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels, with many peak period trips at or exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to a January 24 press release from NJ Transit. But the system is entering the fifth consecutive year of ridership that will be below pre-COVID-19 levels, meaning a loss of nearly $2 billion in revenue. Federal COVID-19 relief funding ends at the end of June 2025. Rising fuel costs, operational costs, wage increases, and health care costs have also contributed to the shortfall. more

MCCC Horticulturalists Win Gold Medal for “Two Cities” Urban Garden Display

“TWO CITIES, ONE GARDEN”: Mercer County Community College’s urban gardens display at the Philadelphia Flower Show won a gold medal for the second straight year and the fourth time since 2017. (Photo courtesy of Mercer County Community College)

By Donald Gilpin

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) horticulturalists have brought home a gold medal from the Philadelphia Flower Show for the second year in a row.

Their “Two Cities, One Garden” display of urban gardens at the Pennsylvania Convention Center March 2-10 was inspired by “the vibrant community gardens” of Trenton and Philadelphia, according to project overseer Amy Ricco, professor and coordinator of MCCC’s Horticulture, Plant Science, and Sustainability program. more

The Oppenheimer Effect: Sharing Movie Moments After the Oscars

By Stuart Mitchner

I was looking forward to a walk on the grounds of the Institute for Advanced Study, my destination the pond in the final scene of  Christopher Nolan’s multiple-Oscar-winning film. With the weather report predicting rain, I wanted to be there when the first drops were falling, as in the three-hour-long film’s beginning and end. I was hoping for a quietly eloquent spring rain, just enough to create the desired ripple effect, but before I could get there, it began pouring and I had to make do with a photo on the Institute’s website. Taken during the April 2022 filming, it shows Tom Conti’s Einstein in conversation with Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer while the burly, grey-maned, grey-bearded Dutch cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema hunkers down on a four-wheeled rig squinting at them through the Panavision lens.

“It was constantly close-ups, close-ups, close-ups, talking, talking, talking,” Van Hoytema says in a February 2024 screendaily.com interview. Referring to the sequence by the pond: “Towards the end of the scene, we creep in on Oppenheimer, and get the feeling that we crawl right through Cillian’s eyes into his head, and start understanding the world, how he sees it now. More importantly, we shoot a close-up of him that is more powerful than most of the other close-ups in the film, even though we have been on top of his face for the whole movie. So, the challenge was, ‘How the hell do we make that interesting?’”

The answer was delivered on Sunday night when the producers of Oppenheimer won the Academy Award for Best Picture, with Oscars going to Best Lead Actor Murphy, Best Supporting Actor Robert Downey Jr., and Best Director Nolan, as well as to Ludwig Göransson for his score, to Jennifer Lame for editing, and to Van Hoytema himself for cinematography. more

Princeton Symphony Orchestra Joins Forces with Ingenious String Trio

By Nancy Plum

Princeton Symphony Orchestra combined innovative performance with contemporary music this past weekend with a pair of collaborative performances with Time for Three, a groundbreaking ensemble crossing boundaries of classical, Americana, and singer-songwriter genres with virtuosic playing. Led by Princeton Symphony Orchestra Music Director Rossen Milanov, the two ensembles alone and together presented an evening of late 19th-century and early 20th-century ballet, as well as a newly-composed work written for Time for Three. The combined performance of these instrumentalists brought the audience to its feet with the dazzling playing of Time for Three double bassist Ranaan Meyer and violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang.  more

A Dazzling, Energetic Revival of “Dreamgirls” Comes to McCarter; Production Shows Why This Musical Needs to Be Seen Onstage

“DREAMGIRLS”: Performances are underway for “Dreamgirls.” Directed by Lili-Anne Brown, the musical runs through March 24 at McCarter’s Matthews Theatre. Above, from left, sporting glittery costumes, the Dreams — Effie (Trejah Bostic), Deena (Ta-Tynisa Wilson), and Lorrell (Keirsten Hodgens) — perform with a backup ensemble that wears the same outfits worn by the Dreams earlier in the show, before they achieve stardom. (Photo by Diane Sobolewski)

By Donald H. Sanborn III

The Motown-inspired musical Dreamgirls has succeeded both as a Broadway show (1981) directed by Michael Bennett, and as a film (2006). But as the dazzling, energetic production that is playing at McCarter demonstrates, this piece is at its best when it can be seen — and heard — on a live stage.

This revival is a collaboration between Goodspeed Musicals, which presented the show in East Haddam, Conn., in late 2023, and McCarter Theatre. Insightfully directed by five-time Jeff Award winner Lili-Anne Brown (assisted by Vaughn Ryan Midder), the production spotlights both the glamour of the music business and the pain caused by machinations that take place behind the scenes. more

Georgia-based Band at State Theatre NJ

SOUTHERN ROCK AND BLUES: Blackberry Smoke is joined by special guests in New Brunswick on March 23.

Blackberry Smoke: Be Right Here Tour is on stage at the State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, on Saturday, March 23 at 8 p.m. Joining Blackberry Smoke for this concert are special guests Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel.

Blackberry Smoke, the Georgia-based band — vocalist/lead guitarist Charlie Starr, keyboardist Brandon Still, guitarist/vocalist Paul Jackson, bassist/vocalist Richard Turner and drummer Brit Turner — draw inspiration from Southern rock, blues-leaning classic rock and rootsy vintage country.  more

ActorsNET Season Continues with Comedy About Family

BELOVED BUT ANNOYING: In ActorsNET’s production of “Over the River and Through the Woods,” Nick’s grandparents will do anything to get him to stay in New Jersey, including overseeing the date that they’ve set him up for.

ActorsNET continues its 27th season with Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DiPietro, a comedy set in New Jersey where an Italian immigrant family experiences deep familial love and the inevitable little heartbreaks that occur as time passes and children grow. The show runs through March 24 at the Heritage Center Theatre, 635 North Delmorr Avenue, Morrisville, Pa.

“The play addresses the challenges of balancing cultural traditions, family bonds, and the pursuit of personal dreams,” said Director David Deratzian. “With humor, warmth, and poignant moments, it beautifully captures the essence of familial love, cultural heritage, and the enduring strength of intergenerational connections.” more

New “Members Art Show and Sale” at Phillips’ Mill

“BLUE MEMORY”: This work by Richard Lennox is part of the “Members Art Show and Sale,” on view March 16-17 and March 23-24 from 12-4 p.m. at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

Members of the Phillips’ Mill Community Association invite the public to the “Members Art Show and Sale” on March 16-17 and March 23-24, from 12-4 p.m., at the historic Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.

This non-juried show is a salute to the visual arts creativity of Mill members and the founding members of Phillips’ Mill Community Association nearly a century ago. The exhibition will showcase a range of fine arts and crafts throughout both levels of the Mill, upstairs and down. The Mill’s membership is rich with artists well-known in the community who will be exhibiting work never before shown at the Mill, including paintings, works on paper, sculpture, ceramics, photography, textiles, and more. All works will be for sale and a portion of every sale will benefit the upkeep of the 18th-century former grist mill.  more

PU Art Museum Acquires Emmet Gowin Archive

“EDITH, CHINCOTEAGUE, VIRGINIA, 1967”: This work is among those committed to the Princeton University Art Museum by world renowned photographer, fine artist, and Princeton University Professor Emeritus Emmet Gowin. (Gift of Alexander D. Stuart, Class of 1972, and Robin Stuart in memory of Peter C. Bunnell)

The Princeton University Art Museum recently announced that world renowned photographer, fine artist, and Princeton University Professor Emeritus Emmet Gowin has committed his archive to the museum. The Emmet Gowin Archive is the latest addition to the museum’s holdings of artist archives, already notably strong in the area of photography. Gowin’s archive joins those of notable photographers Clarence H. White, Ruth Bernhard, and Minor White.  more

D&R Greenway Reception with Fiorentino, McDonnell

“WANDERER COYOTE”: Nature and sports art by James Fiorentino with be featured along with works by Patrick McDonnell at a reception at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Johnson Education Center on Sunday, March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The public is invited to a reception on Sunday, March 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Johnson Education Center at One Preservation Place to meet and enjoy artwork by James Fiorentino, one of the most renowned watercolor artists in the country. Joining Fiorentino will be syndicated cartoon artist, author, and playwright Patrick McDonnell, who will share his inspiration for his popular comic strip “MUTTS.” There is no charge to attend, but reservations are required at info@drgreenway.org or (609) 924-4646.  more

New Naoki Sushi Dining in Lawrenceville Offers Highest Quality Sushi and Service

SIGNATURE SUSHI: Executive Chef Naoki Toshiro, owner of Naoki Sushi Dining in Lawrenceville, shown in the restaurant, looks forward to sharing his specially prepared omakase sushi with the ever-growing number of appreciative customers. 

By Jean Stratton

Fans of sushi are delighted that a new restaurant, Naoki Sushi Dining, is providing this popular Japanese specialty in Lawrenceville. It is especially known for its signature omakase sushi, which is not readily found in the area,

Whether visitors are educated in omakase sushi dining or beginners ready to explore new tastes, they will experience the highest quality omakase sushi prepared by expert chef/owner Naoki Tashiro. more

After Routing Penn to Win Regular Season League Crown, Tiger Men’s Hoops Facing Brown in Ivy Madness Semis

ZACH ATTACK: Princeton University men’s basketball player Zach Martini looks to unload the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, senior forward Martini scored a career-high 23 points to help Princeton defeat Penn 105-83 in its regular season finale as the Tigers clinched the outright  Ivy League regular season title. The Tigers, now 24-3 overall and 12-2 Ivy, will compete in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament this weekend at Columbia’s Levien Gym in New York City. Princeton is seeded first and will face fourth-seeded Brown in a semifinal contest on March 16. The victor will play the winner of the Cornell-Yale semi on Sunday in the title game with victor in the final to receive the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Justin Feil

As the Princeton University men’s basketball team boarded the bus to Philadelphia to play at Penn on Saturday evening, they already knew they had accomplished two of their goals.

But the Tigers didn’t let the news that they had already locked up the No. 1 seed for the Ivy League Madness postseason tournament and at least a share of the Ivy regular-season title lull them into complacency as they took to the Palestra court for the final regular season game. more

Senior Guard Chen Produces Special Jadwin Finale As PU Women’s Hoops Tops Penn to Share Ivy Title

TITLE DRIVE: Princeton University women’s basketball player Kaitlyn Chen, left, drives past a foe in recent action. Last Saturday, senior guard Chen enjoyed a special finale at Jadwin Gym, tallying 19 points with a career-high 11 assists and seven rebounds to help Princeton defeat Penn 72-55 and clinch a tie for the Ivy League regular season title with Columbia. The Tigers, now 23-4 overall and 13-1 Ivy, will compete in the Ivy Madness postseason tournament this weekend at Columbia’s Levien Gym in New York City. Princeton is seeded first and will face fourth-seeded Penn in a semifinal contest on March 15. The victor will play the winner of the Columbia-Harvard semi on Saturday in the title game for the league’s automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Kaitlyn Chen’s final game at Jadwin Gym for the Princeton University women’s basketball team started with smiles and hugs as she was honored in the program’s annual Senior Day ceremony last Saturday afternoon.

Senior point guard Chen was joined by her family who traveled from Southern California, along with classmates Chet Nweke and Ellie Mitchell and their families.

“It was really special to be with them, this school is just amazing and it is surrounded by such great people,” said Chen, a 5’9 native of San Marino, Calif. “I am just lucky to be here and be able to celebrate this with them.” more

Sparked by Stifling Defense, Sharp Shooting, Princeton Men’s Lacrosse Defeats Rutgers 14-8

CAUSING HAVOC: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Michael Bath controls the ball against Tigers last Sunday. Junior defender Bath helped lead a stifling defensive effort as the Tigers topped Rutgers 14-8. Bath set a program single-game record of six caused turnovers in the win and also scooped up four ground balls and was later named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week. Princeton, now 4-2 and ranked 13th nationally, hosts No. 15 Cornell (3-2) on March 17 in the Ivy League opener for both teams. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)

By Bill Alden

Heading into its clash at Rutgers last Sunday afternoon, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team steeled itself by playing three straight road games against Top 20 teams.

The Tigers fell 13-7 at then-No. 4 Maryland on February 24 before heading down Tobacco Road to start March, defeating then-No. 19 North Carolina 15-9 in Chapel Hill on March 1 before falling 17-8 at then-No. 1 Duke in Durham two days later.

“We learned a lot from that weekend, not only about our skill set but our team as a whole,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon in assessing the jaunt to North Carolina. “Being able to take a trip like that was really just a nice opportunity.” more