#b#In Town#/b#
Attitudes In Reverse seeks submissions for its sixth annual T-Shirt Design Concept contest with students’ creative ideas for communicating the importance of seeking help for mental health disorders. AIR was established by Tricia, Kurt, and Katelyn Baker of Plainsboro in 2010, soon after their son/brother Kenny committed suicide following a long battle against severe depression and anxiety. Their mission is to save lives by educating students about mental health, related disorders, and suicide prevention.
“Students are the best resources for learning how to best communicate to them and their peers, and this contest is an excellent way to foster this essential communication,” says Shauna Moses, a member of AIR’s Board of Directors.
“Even before the winning design concepts are selected, the contest helps build awareness by engaging students in developing creative ways to communicate our message,” says Moses. “We strongly encourage health and art instructors, as well as other teachers and schools’ administrative staff, to invite students to participate in this contest.”
Prizes are an iPad for first place; iPod for second place; and iPod shuffle for third place. The deadline is Friday, March 6. Visit www.attitudesinreverse.org.
Pennington Players has auditions for “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a comedy by Steve Martin that imagines what might have happened if Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso met in a Parisian bar in 1904. Both are on the verge of their greatest achievements as they discuss the nature of talent and genius. Auditions are Thursday, January 29, 7 to 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, February 1, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Visit www.penningtonplayers.org for information. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins will be seen on a time-available basis. Auditions and callbacks will be held in the Communications building adjacent to Kelsey Theater. E-mail auditions@penningtonplayers.org.
Princeton Youth Ballet has auditions for dancers ages 6 to 21 for “The Secret Garden” on Saturday, February 7, at Princeton Dance and Theater Studio, 116 Rockingham Row, Forrestal Village, Plainsboro. Visit www.princetonyouthballet.org or E-mail info@princetonyouthballet.org.
Cranbury-Plainsboro Little League is accepting registration for baseball, softball, and t-ball seasons for boys and girls ages 3 to 13 who live in Plainsboro and Cranbury. Age eligibility is determined by a player’s birth date. Register at www.cpll.org. New players must register online and mail in a copy of their birth certificate, medical insurance, and proof of residency.
CPLL will also hold an open house on Friday, January 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Plainsboro Recreational and Cultural Center, 641 Plainsboro Road.
#b#Call for Art#/b#
Lawrence Library is seeking entries for its sixth annual Trashed Art Contest. The purpose of the contest is to encourage people to look at trash differently and repurpose items into something artful. The contest is open to adults and students in grades 7 to 12 who reside in Mercer County. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, April 1.
Entries must be delivered to the library at 2751 Brunswick Pike. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in both adult and student categories. Visit www.mcl.org, E-mail lawprogs@mcl.org, or call 609-989-6922.
Artsbridge, a non-profit organization serving the Delaware River Valley region, invites artists to enter the upcoming members show. Works will be exhibited at the Prallsville Mill in Stockton.
Drop off work at Prallsville Mill on Sunday February 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; or Monday, February 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. The opening reception is Saturday, February 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. All work will be for sale. Visit www.artsbridgeonline.com.
A Space on Main calls for artists to contribute to “Mind My Art,” an exhibit in collaboration with the New Jersey chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s “Healing through Art” project. The exhibit will run March 6 to 29.
Submit two pieces of work in a medium of choice, along with the title, dimensions, and price of work. The dimensions of the artwork should not exceed 24 by 36 inches. Samples should be submitted by E-mail to lathajohn@aol.com before Friday, February 6.
Together with their work, they should also submit a brief written explanation of their artistic process, describing what was on their mind as they were producing the work, explaining what inspired them, and what this work represents. Selected artwork should be dropped off from Friday, February 27, through Sunday, March 1, between noon and 5 p.m. Works must be wired for hanging. Call Latha John at 609-510-8305.
#b#Tax Assistance#/b#
South Brunswick Library offers assistance on Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 3 to April 9. All ages and income levels are welcome to attend, though special attention will be given to low to moderate income seniors. Visit www.sbtnj.net for an appointment. Call the South Brunswick Senior Center at 732-329-4000, ext. 7670.
Princeton Senior Resource Center offers free tax assistance for low and moderate income people, with special attention to those age 60 plus in the wider Princeton area. Volunteer preparers are familiar with tax regulations and rebate programs that affect seniors. Appointments are available on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton Street, beginning February 6. Call 609-924-7108.
Princeton Library offers help for seniors and people of low and moderate income to file electronic tax returns on Mondays, from February 2 to April 13. Participants should bring a copy of last year’s return, documentation for all current year income and expenses that may be deductible, a W-2, 1099, Social Security year-end report, or retirement account statement. Call 609-924-9529, ext 220.
#b#For Families#/b#
VSA New Jersey offers programs for children with autism ages 3 to 21 and their family members in the visual and performing arts. Saturdays, February 7 to April 11, in New Brunswick, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Each 10-week workshop meets for one hour per week. There is a $50 registration fee for families who receive class placement. Visit www.vsanj.org, E-mail info@vsanj.org, or call 732-745-3885 for information. Application deadline is Friday, January 23.
#b#Volunteer Please#/b#
Literacy New Jersey offers tutor training courses to help adult learners increase basic literacy skills for native English speakers and ESOL students. Volunteers provide free tutoring services at a variety of public locations including public libraries, workplace sites, churches, and retirement homes.
All volunteer tutors are required to complete a comprehensive, 15-hour training course. The next course runs Tuesdays, January 27 through February 24. Upon completion of the training course, the volunteer tutor is matched with an adult learner who has registered with our program. Call 609-587-6027.
#b#For Caregivers#/b#
Alzheimer’s Association offers support groups for those with a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia disorder. The groups are free and open to the public. Visit www.alz.org/nj or call 800-272-3900.
#b#Musical Notes#/b#
Opera Philadelphia offers an operatic composer in residence program. The residency includes a yearly salary of $60,000 and benefits. The composer’s term will begin after June 1. Visit www.operaphila.org/composers for information. Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 30.
Jersey Transit a cappella ensemble seeks a low bass to round out its roster of singers. Ideal candidates must read music, learn quickly, and sing comfortably in a range between low C and middle E. Prior a cappella experience highly preferred. To schedule an audition contact the music director, Nicole E. Coelho, at necdiva@gmail.com
#b#For Teens#/b#
New Jersey Brain Bee seeks high school students to compete in the regional contest. Modeled after a traditional spelling bee, the Brain Bee is a live question and answer competition in which students are quizzed about the human brain and central nervous system. There is no cost to participate. The contest, open to all New Jersey high school students in grades 9 through 12, will be held Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway. Visit rwjms.rutgers.edu.
All competition questions are derived from the book Brain Facts, published by the Society for Neuroscience. Download for free from www.brainfacts.org. The top three finishers will receive cash prizes and the first place winner will receive an expense-paid trip for two to compete in the National Brain Bee Competition at the University of Maryland in Baltimore in March. E-mail Dr. Michael Matise at matisemp@rwjms.rutgers.edu or Joan Mordes at mordesja@rwjms.rutgers.edu, or call 732-235-5390.
Raritan Valley Community College offers two ACT Review preparation courses. The first section will be held Sundays, February 8 to April 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. No class will be held February 15 and April 5. The second section will be held Thursdays, February 26 to April 16, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Both sections will be held at the Branchburg campus.
The course covers English, reading, math, essay writing, and science. The program also covers strategies for students to use while studying and taking the test. Homework is required. $429. Visit www.raritanval.edu/youth, E-mail youth@raritanval.edu, or call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404.
#b#For Caregivers#/b#
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County has announced the launch of a new caregiver support group for those under the age of 75 who are taking care of a spouse. The non-sectarian group will provide tips, techniques, and resources to help caregivers. The group is open to the community and will be facilitated by Chaplain Beverly Rubman. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
The group begins on Tuesday, February 10, and will be held every other Tuesday from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m., at the Jewish Center, 435 Nassau Street, Princeton. To register contact Beth Englezos at bethe@jfcsonline.org or 609-987-8100, ext. 126
#b#For the Young#/b#
Sarah Mook Poetry Prize has its 11th annual student poetry contest. The awards are: $100 first prize, $50 second prize, $25 third prize in each of four categories: kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth, sixth through eighth, and ninth through twelfth grade.
Enter two poems of any length, on any subject, any style. Poems must be typed or word-processed. The student’s name, address, or school should not appear on the poems. Include a typed cover sheet with student name, address, grade level, school name, and the poem title. Home schoolers are welcome.
Teachers: When submitting a class set of poems, include your full name, name of the school, a list of student names, their poem titles, grade level for each student, contact information for the school, and a self addressed stamped envelope and your E-mail address to receive the results.
Donations payable to Sarah Mook Outreach Fund are requested to benefit Smile Train, an organization providing free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries. Send to Sarah Mook Poetry Prize, 896 Ferncliff Road, Poultney, VT 05764. The deadline is Tuesday, March 31. E-mail davidmook@aol.com.
