David M. Rubenstein, a trustee of the Institute for Advanced Study, has donated $20 million to support the creation of a new building on the campus to be known as the Rubenstein Commons, it was announced Monday.

Mr. Rubenstein is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Carlyle Group, an American multinational private equity, alternative asset management and financial services corporation based in Washington, D.C. more

Odors reported by residents near the construction site of the AvalonBay rental complex have been addressed by the municipality’s Health and Engineering departments. In an update on the town’s website, it is reported that the odors are originating from the parking garage on Henry Avenue, which is being resurfaced with a polyurethane waterproofing material.

“The Mercer County Division of Public Health who has the authority to enforce New Jersey odor and air pollution regulations has been contacted and is working alongside Municipal Officials during this investigation,” the update reads. “The application of the material on the parking garage surface is expected to be completed by Friday, October 23rd.” more

At 9:49 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, Princeton’s police and fire departments and Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad responded to a reported gas main leak on Hardy Drive. PSE&G also responded to the scene.

A two-inch gas main had been struck by a backhoe operator with Hillis Group of Easton, Pa., while digging to plant trees in a cul de sac area at the end of Hardy Road. The backhoe operator was not injured and there were no additional injuries at the scene. There was no property damage to any surrounding residences and no one was home at those houses. more

On Thursday, October 29 at 7 p.m., the Princeton Police Department and the Princeton Public Schools will hold a community forum at John Witherspoon Middle School about the phone threats known as “swatting” that continue to plague local schools.

Four threats have been called in since the start of the school year, with the latest occurring Tuesday at Johnson Park Elementary School. In each case, no bomb was found. Last year, schools received several calls.

A similar forum was held last spring. The idea is to provide information and answer questions, for all members of the community. Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane and Princeton Police Chief Nick Sutter will be on hand to talk about actions being taken and to answer questions from the public.

The forum will take place in the school auditorium. John Witherspoon Middle School is located at 217 Walnut Lane.

Image Source: The Weather Channel

After Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency in New Jersey as a precaution, PSE&G is making preparations for a possible landfall of Hurricane Joaquin in its service area. The utility also is closely monitoring the heavy rains and high winds forecasted for the region tomorrow.

“Right now, we are focused on shoring up critical equipment against possible storm surges and river flooding – installing concrete barriers, sandbags and portable pumps,” said John Latka, senior vice president of electric and gas operations for PSE&G. “While the track of Joaquin remains uncertain, we are preparing for the worst case scenario – a direct hit from the storm.” more

Donald E. Capps, an emeritus professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, has died as a result of injuries sustained Wednesday morning in an auto accident on Library Place. Mr. Capps, 76, was pronounced dead Wednesday night at 8:54 PM at Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

Mr Capps was driving a silver Volkswagen Beetle north on Library Place at 8:53 a.m. Wednesday. According to an investigation by the Princeton Police Department, the Volkswagen crossed the intersection of Stockton Street and continued to travel in a northerly direction on Library Place. After crossing the intersection of Library Place and Stockton Street, the Volkswagen veered in an easterly direction and struck the right rear bumper of a green Volvo that was being operated by Princeton resident Sharon Worthington. more

A worker at the construction site of the AvalonBay development at 253 Witherspoon Street fell into an elevator shaft Tuesday morning. Manuel Otero, 51, of Newark, reportedly slipped from a scaffold and fell approximately 12 feet into the shaft, according to the Princeton Police Department. He was alert and conscious but sustained serious lacerations to his head and face. more

“Vinalhaven” by Charles McVicker

Garden State Watercolor Society presents its 46^th annual juried show, “Nature’s Beauty,” at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Johnson Education Center, One Preservation Place, Princeton, August 11 through September 25, with an awards and closing reception September 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m. more

Yoga at Sourland Cycles is offered every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at their Hopewell location, 53 E Broad Street. Michelle and Greta will lead the class in alignment focused vinyasa style yoga (perfect for athletes getting ready for racing season). Weekly information can be found online at HopewellYoga. The cost to attend is $15. Guests should bring their own mats and water bottles.  more

Princeton University Art Museum will hold a free outdoor screening of the George Lucas film American Graffiti (1973) on Thursday, August 6 at 8:30 p.m. The film served as the launching pad for many well-known actors including Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, and Harrison Ford. Set in 1962, American Graffiti is based on Lucas’ own teenage years in early 1960s Modesto, California. In case of rain, the film will be shown inside of the Art Museum. American Graffiti is part of the Art Museum’s Summer 2015 film series celebrating the American experience. more

When you think of college comedy revues, what comes to mind? Probably Harvard’s Hasty Pudding or the Princeton Triangle Show or Penn’s Masque & Wig. But in England, the “gold standard” for over 100 years has been The Cambridge Footlights Revue. Long established as a finishing school for the best of Britain’s comic entertainers, Footlights members have come to dominate British comedy, forging such groups as Monty Python and one half of the original Beyond the Fringe. Its alumni includes Hugh Laurie, Peter Cook, Eric Idle, Stephen Fry, and John Oliver, whom we now claim as our own. They will be joined on stage by two “improv” groups—Oxford’s Imps and Princeton’s own Quipfire, which is hosting this gathering of comedic talent from across the seas on Monday, September 21 at 7: 30 p.m. at McCarter Theatre. more

The Princeton Merchants Association (PMA), in collaboration with local merchants, nonprofits and the Municipality of Princeton, has launched a single use plastic bag reduction campaign for the community.

“Learning our ABC’s” will encourage the reduction, reuse and recycling of single use plastic bags.  The effort will encourage merchants to “Ask First” if customers need a bag, encourage residents to “Bring Your Own Bag” (BYOB) and encourage the use of bins throughout town and homes for our residents and businesses to “Collect and Recycle” plastic bags. more