Around Town
9/11 Memorial Design
Nikki Stern of Plainsboro was recently appointed to the New Jersey September 11th Memorial Professional Advisory Committee by Governor James E. McGreevey. The committee, composed of professionals with experience in the fields of art, architecture, planning, and design, will judge the competition in partnership with the members of the New Jersey’s Families’ Memorial Committee.
Stern is the widow of James Potorti, a vice-president with Marsh & McLennan who died on September 11 in the World Trade Center. Public relations specialist to the Architecture and Design Communities, she works as a facilitator and advisor to numerous public processes associated with the memorializing and rebuilding efforts at Ground Zero.
A member of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation’s Families Advisory Council, she serves as the director of Families of September 11th, a national families’ advocacy group, as well as the New Jersey Governor’s 9/11 Victims’ Families Liaison.
Stern is a graduate of Washington University with a master’s in political science from Georgetown University.
The deadline for the world-class memorial design concept was extended to Thursday, April 1, to provide more time for interested applicants. The memorial will be dedicated to the nearly 700 New Jersey residents lost in the 9/11 attacks. For information on how to submit a memorial design concept, visit www.nj.gov/nj911memorial or call 609-777-0878.
CPA Award
David J. Scafa of West Windsor was awarded the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The credential, established in 1987, recognizes CPAs with professional experience in financial planning. Requirements include over 1,”000 hours of business experience and over 75 hours of learning activities during the past five years.
Cause for Paws
Lisa Valenti, a volunteer with the Animal Placement Agency of the Windsors (APAW), accepted a donation from students at the Grace N. Rogers School. The fourth grade students participating in a Youth in Philanthropy program have already completed several projects to help people but they chose to help animals as well.
With the help of their advisors Ms. Chitren, Mrs. Hunt, and Mrs. Wherley, the entire school was asked to donate needed items of food and treats for APAW, the non-profit private animal shelter located in West Windsor, which has been finding homes for dogs and cats for over 35 years.
Faith
Adam Carlson of West Windsor celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 13. The service took place at Congregation Beth Chaim, and Adam received gifts from the congregation, the Men’s Club, and the Sisterhood. He is the son of Kenneth and Barbara Carlson.
Adam is a seventh grade student at Community Middle School where he plays guitar in the school’s jazz band. His favorite sport is baseball.
Katelyn Baker and Jennifer Dowling from Plainsboro Troop 1984, and Kimberly Clifton from West WindsorTtroop 1018 received their Junior Girl Scout “I Live My Faith” religious award on March 6. They were presented the award by Bishop John M. Smith at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton. The program focused on developing self-awareness and potential as a responsible member of a troop, a family, the Catholic community, and a participating citizen.
