November 27, 2024

PPS Offers Forums, Tours as Referendum Nears

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton residents will have a number of opportunities to learn more about the Princeton Public Schools’ (PPS) $89.1 million facilities bond referendum before they vote on a three-part question on January 28, 2025.

Two upcoming forums — a virtual forum on Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. (link to be shared shortly before the event) and an in-person forum on Saturday, January 11 at 9 a.m. in the Princeton Middle School (PMS) auditorium — will provide information and chances to ask questions.

The community is also invited to tour one or all of the school buildings included in the 2025 bond referendum proposal: Community Park Elementary School on December 10 and January 8 at 3:30 p.m.; Littlebrook Elementary School on January 7 and 14 at 4 p.m.; PMS on December 5, 12, and January 16 at 3:30 p.m.; and Princeton High School (PHS) on December 8 at 10 a.m., 13 at 6:30 p.m., January 15 at 6:15 p.m., January 24 at 5:30 p.m., and January 26 at 10 a.m. more

James “Jimmy” Mack Honored for Impact on Local Community

By Anne Levin

James “Jimmy” Mack
(Photo by Adam Welch)

Princeton Council paid tribute to longtime barber James “Jimmy” Mack at its meeting Monday evening, November 25, at the municipal building.

As a large crowd of Mack’s family, friends, and neighbors looked on, Councilman Leighton Newlin and Mayor Mark Freda read a special proclamation honoring Mack as a fixture in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood since the early 1950s.

Newlin called Mack “a great human, a great humanitarian, a good person, a great family man, a good friend, a mentor, and one hell of a barber.” To visit Jimmy’s Barber Shop at 141 John Street was to be part of “a sanctuary of community where the air vibrated with the hum of clippers, laughter, and soulful melodies, creating a vibrant tapestry of shared experience,” he said, before launching into a brief rendition of the Martha and the Vandellas song “Jimmy Mack.”  more

Panel of Experts Will Discuss 2024 Election at Princeton University Forum

By Donald Gilpin

As the country and the world continue to ponder the results of the 2024 election, Princeton University’s School for Public and International Affairs (SPIA) Center for the Study of Democratic Politics (CSDP) has assembled a panel of experts to help shed light on “What Happened and Why?” The event will take place on Monday, December 2, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Bowl 016 at Robertson Hall on Washington Road.

“This panel will bring together a blend of expertise, perspectives, and professional experiences that we hope will foster a nuanced, informed discussion of the election results,” said Princeton University Politics Professor and CSDP Co-Director Tali Mendelberg, who will moderate the discussion. “In this era of polarization and information silos, it is vital to offer accurate analysis and to represent diverse views about the state of American politics.”

Panelists will include Betsy Ankney, political strategist and Nikki Haley’s campaign manager; CBS News elections analyst and Princeton University Ph.D. graduate Kabir Khanna; Dorian Warren, public affairs commentator and president of Community Change, co-chair of the Economic Security Project, and co-host of System Check; and Lauren Wright, associate research scholar and lecturer in politics and public affairs at Princeton University with a focus on political communication, including media coverage, candidates’ strategies, and public perceptions. more

Princeton High School Graduate Dan Schulman Knighted by French President at Ceremony in Paris

HIGHEST HONOR: Princeton-raised Dan Schulman was knighted in Paris last month by French President Emmanuel Macron for his contributions to social and economic change. From left are Schulman’s wife, Summerly Schulman; his mother, Ruth Schulman; Macron; and Schulman. (Photo courtesy of Dan Schulman)

By Anne Levin

During his tenure as CEO and president of the financial technology giant PayPal, Dan Schulman was shocked to discover that 70 percent of Americans have a hard time making ends meet.

Schulman, who was raised in Princeton and is a product of the town’s public schools, was even more surprised to learn that over half of his employees — who were paid above market rates — were among those struggling. more

Chanticleer’s Eclectic Repertory Ranges From Renaissance-era Music to Spirituals

TWELVE VOICES UNCONDUCTED: The a cappella group Chanticleer brings “A Chanticleer Christmas” to Princeton University Chapel on Saturday, December 7.

By Anne Levin

The last time Chanticleer came to Princeton, the Grammy Award-winning a cappella vocal ensemble performed at Richardson Auditorium. Leading them that day in October 2023 was Tim Keeler, a 2011 graduate of Princeton University, where he majored in music.

Keeler is Chanticleer’s music director. He is bringing the group back to Princeton, again under the auspices of Princeton University Concerts (PUC), on Saturday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. — this time in another campus venue. “A Chanticleer Christmas” will be held in Princeton University Chapel.  more

Institute for Advanced Study Online Videos Offer Brief Looks Behind the Scenes

By Donald Gilpin

The Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) is one of the world’s great institutions for theoretical research, intellectual exploration, and academic alliances. It is famed as the former home base of Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and many other celebrity scholars — but it remains somewhat of a mystery to many locals.

The aura of mystery is possibly due to its relative isolation, ensconced on about 600 acres on the southwestern edge of Princeton, and to the esoteric and complex nature of much of the work that is done there in the loftiest realms of science, mathematics, history, and social sciences.

A current posting, titled “Institute Instances,” on the Institute website at ias.edu will help to dispel some of the mystery. Through one to two-minute video snapshots of individuals who talk about their experiences at IAS, “Instances” provides a variegated picture of some of the work and other activity that goes on at the IAS.  more

Let Us Now Praise James Agee on His 115th Birthday

By Stuart Mitchner

The day after I wrote an article on Elon Musk referencing his first and foremost “life lesson,” that “empathy is not an asset,” the New York Times came up with a front page that instantly connected with my post-election state of mind. Lead head: “Chop First and Fix Later: How Musk Tames Costs.” The story directly beneath: “Trump Stands by Defense Pick Who Denies Sex Assault Claim.” Directly under that: “Robots Still Lack Human Touch in Warehouses.” And just below came two smaller heads previewing stories in the Business section: “Social Media Veers Right” and “Spirit Files for Bankruptcy.”

While the “spirit” in the story is a low-fare airline, what stands out in the current news cycle is the primary meaning of the word as understood by James Agee, who was born on this day in 1909. In his biography James Agee: A Life (Penguin 1985), Laurence Bergreen underscores Agee’s “eloquent” response to the April 12, 1945 death of President Roosevelt. Writing in The Nation, Agee celebrated Roosevelt as someone whose passing would inspire men with a “metaphysical yet very literal faith” in a “unanimity and massiveness of spirit.” Bergreen adds that Agee “perceived the same massiveness of spirit among Southern blacks.” more

McCarter Theatre Presents Innovative String Quartet Ensemble

By Nancy Plum

It would be hard to choose who was the greater teenaged composer — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or Felix Mendelssohn. The prodigious musical childhood of Mozart has long been documented, but the works of the young Mendelssohn were no less remarkable. The New York City-based Renaissance String Quartet brought one of Mendelssohn’s early works to life in a concert last Thursday night at McCarter Theatre Center’s Matthews Theatre. Violinists Randall Goosby and Jeremiah Blacklow, violist Jameel Martin, and cellist Daniel Hass played Mendelssohn’s youthful String Quartet No. 1 in E-flat Major in an evening beginning with the early 19th century and ending with a composer born almost at the turn of the 21st century.

The Renaissance Quartet’s inventive approach to chamber music was evident from the moment the musicians came onstage. The Quartet began Mendelssohn’s first published work —emphasizing a sadness in the opening “Adagio” — with expressive motivic gestures which may have been meant as a tribute to the recently deceased Beethoven. The Quartet musicians kept chipper passages bright, with violist Martin bringing out lush melodic lines. The second movement “Canzonetta” reflected Mendelssohn’s ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with an elfin middle section abounding with fluttering fairies in the violins. The Quartet showed its playful side in this music, but never lost the required rhythmic precision.  more

Music by Three Composers on Richardson Program

AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC: Princeton University Sinfonia, conducted by Ruth Ochs, appears at Richardson Auditorium on Sunday, December 8.

The Princeton University Sinfonia will present a concert on Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. at Richardson Auditorium. Ruth Ochs will lead the program.

The concert will open with an early work by Jean Sibelius, his Karelia Overture, a musical tribute to the region in Finland’s southeast.

The world premiere of Kindly as dust I scatter towards light by Princeton undergraduate composer, Romit Kundagrami ’26, is also featured. A student in Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs, where he researches migration, Kundagrami devotes significant time to Princeton’s musical ensembles, and he credits those experiences as inspiration. more

Motown Greats to Perform at New Brunswick Venue

TWO LEGENDARY GROUPS: The Four Tops, shown here, will appear with The Temptations at State Theatre New Jersey on December 12.

State Theatre New Jersey presents The Temptations & The Four Tops on Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The two iconic Motown groups will perform their biggest hits including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Baby, I Need Your Loving,” and many more.

The Temptations are revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career. While the group has evolved over the years, founding member Otis Williams has continued to lead the group. They were ranked No. 1 in Billboard magazine’s most recent list of the Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of All Time. The Temptations are the recipients of numerous awards and honors, and have been the subject of the Broadway musical, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations. more

Folksinger David Roth Returns to Local Stage

FOLK HERO: David Roth brings his bold style of singing and songwriting to Christ Congregation Church on Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Michael and Suz Karchmer)

The Princeton Folk Music Society welcomes back singer-songwriter David Roth to Christ Congregation Church, 50 Walnut Lane, for a concert on Friday, December 13 at 8 p.m.

Roth’s unique songs have made him a favorite of the Princeton Folk Music Society, which is presenting him for the sixth time. Roth’s songs have been recorded by Christine Lavin, Anne Hills, and Tom Chapin, among others. His appearances have ranged from singing the national anthem in front of a sold-out Chicago Bulls/New York Knicks game to intimate house concerts and innumerable workshops to singing for the United Nations 40th Anniversary celebration.

Tickets are available online or at the door (if not sold-out): $25 ($20 members, $10 students). Visit princetonfolk.org for tickets and livestream access.

Passage Theatre Company Celebrates a Milestone

PEACE AT PASSAGE: Singer-songwriter/activist John Flynn performs at the 40th anniversary fundraiser for Trenton’s Passage Theatre Company on December 7.

Singer-songwriter and activist John Flynn is the headliner at a night of song and peace Saturday, December 7 at 6 p.m. to mark the 40th anniversary of Trenton’s Passage Theatre Company. The event, hosted by Leticia Williams, includes pre-show refreshments provided by Gingered Peach and Kafe Ojala.

Flynn is considered a champion of justice and healing the community through group song. His voice is an ardent yet whimsical battle cry and he will inspire you to join the fight. The late Kris Kristofferson, a longtime friend of Flynn, has called him “an important artist whose work in prisons, rehabs, and half-way houses is distilled into the truth and the beauty of heartfelt and heartwarming slices of life.” more

“Flora, Fauna, and Water” at Gourgaud Gallery

“AUTUMN IN CRANBURY”: This work by Linda Gilbert is featured in “Flora, Fauna, and Water,” on view December 4 through December 27 at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury. An opening reception is on December 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The Cranbury Arts Council and the Gourgaud Gallery will present this year’s Open Call exhibit, “Flora, Fauna, and Water,” December 4 through December 27. An opening reception is on Sunday, December 8 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The show features works from a number of artists in two-dimensional mediums. Open Call has been run by Linda Gilbert, chairperson of the Gourgaud Gallery, for a number of years. more

“Mostly Small Works” Group Exhibition at Artists’ Gallery

“CAUGHT IN THE LIGHT”: This acrylic painting by Michael Berardesco is featured in “Mostly Small Works,” on view December 5 through January 5 at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville.

Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville will present a gallery-wide group exhibit, “Mostly Small Works,” December 5 through January 5.

“WINTER CHILL”: This watercolor work by Beatrice Bork is part of “Mostly Small Works,” on view December 5 through January 5 at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville. An opening reception is on Saturday, December 7 from 2 to 5 p.m.

 more

McCarthy Named Chief Curator at the Zimmerli Art Museum

The Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunswick has named Jeremiah William McCarthy as chief curator. In this new role, effective January 6, McCarthy will serve on the museum’s senior leadership team and participate in shaping its mission and vision. He will oversee the museum’s curatorial department and assume responsibility for the Museum’s scholarly and artistic program while managing the development of the Museum’s permanent collection and exhibitions.

“It’s a great honor to take on this leadership role at the Zimmerli,” said McCarthy. “The Zimmerli’s mission to use art as a tool to educate, inspire, and challenge resonates deeply with me. I am thrilled to lead and empower the curatorial team to advance an experimental program that is diverse, accessible, and academically rigorous.” more

Arts Council to Host Event with Patrick McDonnell

MCDONNELL AT ACP: The Arts Council of Princeton will host an artist interview and book signing with artist-author Patrick McDonnell on Saturday, November 30 from 3 to 4 p.m.

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) will host an artist interview with Patrick McDonnell on Saturday, November 30 from 3 to 4 p.m. McDonnell — a Princeton resident — is the creator of the worldwide syndicated comic strip, MUTTS; a New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor-winning children’s book author, painter, and award-winning playwright. His original works are on view at the Arts Council through December 7.

The paintings in his Taplin Gallery exhibition — created with acrylic latex, oil stick, ink, and collage — are a continuation of the story of self-discovery told in his graphic novel, The Super Hero’s Journey, created for Marvel and Abrams Books.  more

“Perspectives on Preservation” Photo Exhibit Open House

On Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, join Friends Of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS) between 12 and 4 p.m. for a Holiday Open House at Mountain Lakes House, 57 Mountain Avenue.

View the FOPOS annual “Perspectives on Preservation Photo Exhibition,” enjoy complimentary refreshments, and stroll around the Christmas tree. Free. RSVP requested at fopos.org/events-programs.

“Rhythms of the Land” at Hutchins Galleries

“EMERALD ASH BORER GALLERIES ON WHITE ASH”: This work by Susan Hoenig is featured in “Rhythms of the Land,” on view December 5 through January 25 in the Hutchins Galleries at the Lawrenceville school.

“Rhythms of the Land,” an exhibition of paintings, forest compositions, leaf sculptures, cross sections of trees, and wildlife reliefs by Susan Hoenig is on view December 5 through January 25 in the Hutchins Galleries at the Lawrenceville school on Route 206. An opening reception is on Friday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.

According to the artist, “The land upon which we gather is part of the traditional territory of the Lenape, called ‘Lenapehoking.’ The Lenape People lived in harmony with the land for thousands of years. Paintings, forest compositions, leaf sculptures, cross sections of trees, and wildlife reliefs are part of my ecological practice. I connect Earth and art to make visible the relationship between habitat, plant and animal life. My artwork explores the impact of ecological issues. ‘Rhythms of the Land’ engages the viewer to see the relationship between humans and their environment that sustains them. more

FiNNBAR, Formerly the Historic Frenchtown Inn, Offers Array of Dining and Beverage Options

DINING OUT: “The food will be casual and beautiful, surprising, yet not unfamiliar, with options for snacking and drinks,” says Cal Peternell, chef/owner of FiNNBAR, formerly The Frenchtown Inn. “In addition, we envision this to be a community gathering place for people to relax, be together, and enjoy good dining.”

By Jean Stratton

FiNNBAR, the very successful Frenchtown restaurant at 7 Bridge Street, is the result of the vision of a remarkable team of talented individuals who have transformed the historic Frenchtown Inn into a modern, vibrant dining opportunity.

With its new name, alluding to that of its predecessor, it offers both a lively and relaxed atmosphere, attentive and knowledgeable service, and high-quality Italian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. In addition, an important focus is its welcoming community theme. more

Sparked by Volker’s Sensational Senior Day Effort, Princeton Football Edges Penn 20-17 in Season Finale

SENIOR MOMENT: Princeton University football running back John Volker looks for an opening in recent action. Senior Volker ended his Princeton career on a high note last Saturday, rushing for 130 yards and one touchdown and catching four passes for 40 yards to help Princeton edge Penn 20-17. The Tigers ended the fall at 3-7 overall and 2-5 Ivy League. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

John Volker was determined to keep his cool as he stood in the end zone with his classmates and their families last Saturday when the Princeton University football team held its annual Senior Day ceremony before hosting Penn in the season finale.

“Of course it is emotional, the focus for me was just remaining focused and not looking at the big picture,” said Princeton senior running back Volker. “I owe it to my teammates, my coaches, and everyone who put a lot into this program to have my full attention on this game for 60 minutes.” more

PU Women’s Volleyball Falls to Yale in Ivy Final, But Young Squad Showed Growth with Late Run

SET UP FOR SUCCESS: Princeton University women’s volleyball player Sydney Draper sets the ball in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore star Draper tallied seven kills and 31 assists in a losing cause as top-seeded Princeton fell 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-20) to second-seeded Yale in the final of the Ivy League Tournament at Dillon Gym. The Tigers ended the fall with a final record of 15-11 as they rebounded from a shaky 4-9 start. (Photo provided courtesy of Princeton Athletics)

By Justin Feil

Twice this year the Princeton University women’s volleyball team fell at home to Yale.

The second time came in the Tigers’ 3-0 loss (27-25, 25-23, 25-20) to the Bulldogs last Saturday at Dillon Gym and it hurt far worse than their 3-1 defeat back on October 5.

This time, it came in the Ivy League Tournament championship and the loss ended Princeton’s season that had come on so strongly down the stretch. more

PHS Boys’ Soccer Gets Edged in Group 4 Semis But Loss Can’t Dim What Team Achieved this Fall

TO THE MATT: Princeton High boys’ soccer player Matt Chao kicks the ball in a game earlier this season. Senior Chao helped key a strong defensive effort as PHS fell 1-0 to Southern High in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state semis on November 19. The Tigers ended the fall with an 18-3-4 record. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden 

Playing at Southern High in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state semis last week, the Princeton High boys’ soccer team faced some challenges in terms of a talented foe and a choppy pitch.

“They are really big, athletic and we knew that Aidan Donnelly, their forward, was really a handful,” said PHS head coach Ryan Walsh. “They were really senior heavy so we knew that we were going to have to handle them athletically. It was going to be a different style of soccer because of their grass field. We spend so much time training to play some quality soccer. We knew it was going to be a different game, so we had to change our style a little bit.” more

Bringing Keen Focus Into Non-Public B Group Meet, Wilberforce School Girls’ Cross Country Placed 2nd

SPECIAL FORCE: Members of the Wilberforce School girls’ cross country team are all smiles after they placed second in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B state championship meet at Holmdel Park earlier this month. Junior Laura Sallade placed third individually at the meet to lead the way for the Wolverines. In the team standings, Wilberforce had a team score of 53 with Villa Walsh taking first at 25. Pictured, from left, are Stella Tobey, Sophia Vardeman, Gwen Mersereau, Sallade, Stella Blanchard, and Adeline Edwards. (Photo provided by Lois Szeliga)

By Bill Alden

Heading into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public B Group championship meet earlier this month, the Wilberforce School girls’ cross country team had extra motivation to excel.

“Having no county meet made a difference, the goal all season was Non-Public B,” said Wilberforce head coach Lois Szeliga, referring to the decision by the Mercer County Tournament Association last spring that it was discontinuing county competitions in favor of Colonial Valley Conference Tournaments which bar local private schools who are not members of the CVC. more

Adding Inside Punch To Go With Sharp Shooting, Hun Boys’ Hoops Primed for a Stellar Campaign

TYME TO SHINE: Hun School boys’ basketball player Drae Tyme heads to the hoop in a game last season. Senior forward Tyme, who also stars at football, will be looking to give Hun some muscle in the paint. The Raiders start their 2024-25 campaign by hosting Malvern Prep (Pa.) on November 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

As the Hun School boys’ basketball team rounds into shape for the upcoming season, adding some muscle from the school’s dominant football program should give it some more punch.

“We have got three football players, they are getting into the fray pretty quickly here,” said Hun head coach Jon Stone, who guided the Raiders to a 10-14 record last winter. “There is a lot of energy, there is a lot of enthusiasm. It is a really good group.” more

Featuring a Mix of New Faces, Veterans, Hun Boys’ Hockey Produces a 0-1-1 Start

By Bill Alden

Having lost a stellar group of nine seniors to graduation from last year’s squad, the Hun School boys’ hockey team will have a different look this winter.

“We have a lot of new faces but at the same time we still have a lot of guys who are familiar with the program and have been around for a few years,” said second-year Hun head coach Eric Szeker, who guided the Raiders to a 5-12 record last season. “One of the things I try to build is a good culture and that starts with the guys inside the locker room. They have done a really good job of making everybody feel welcome, whether it is the JV guys, the varsity guys, or new transfers, whatever it might be. There was a lot of excitement coming into the season.”

Hun started the season with two exciting games, falling 4-3 to Devon Prep (Pa.) last Thursday in its season opener and then skating to a 3-3 tie with Father Judge (Pa.) a day later.  more