In Town
West Windsor Arts Council offers new opportunities for children and adults to exercise their creativity in the visual, literary, performing arts, and the mind/body. If you are new to the arts center or interested in trying out something new, take a class for only $10 during the trial week. The arts center is in the historic Princeton Junction Firehouse at 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. For information and registration visit www.westwindsorarts.org, call 609-716-1931, or E-mail info@westwindsorarts.org.
Princeton Academy of Martial Arts is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Toys until Friday, December 16. Donors receive a free private martial arts lesson. 14 Farber Road, West Windsor. Call 609-452-2208 or E-mail info@pamausa.com for information.
Good Causes
Elixir Fund and Make-A-Wish Foundation receive 100 percent of the sales of Joe Ryan’s poster of Paris through December 30, Ryan is a former West Windsor resident and graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School. Visit www.ryanfoto.com to purchase.
McCarter Theater is collecting monetary donations for Allies, Inc. and Trenton Area Soup Kitchen during the run of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” through Saturday, December 24. Visit www.mccarter.org for information about tickets or donating to one of the charities.
Kelsey Theater is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Marines Toys for Tots campaign through Friday, December 16. Collection boxes are located in the lobby.
One Simple Wish, the nonprofit that grants simple wishes to foster children and vulnerable families, seeks donations and volunteers. There are still more than 300 wishes ranging from $10 to $100 listed online. Volunteers are also needed throughout December. Visit www.meetup.com for information on donations and volunteering.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Mercer County (NAMI Mercer) will honor Kay and Janet Lasley at the 10th annual Night Out with NAMI benefit on Saturday, January 21. The event will include the matinee performance of “The Convert” at McCarter Theater, followed by an after-party in the Berlind rehearsal hall. Tickets are $99. Visit www.namimercer.org or call 609-799-8994. Donate $500 and receive two tickets.
PEAC Health & Fitness is displaying and selling artwork created by Trenton Area Soup Kitchen’s A-Team Artists of Trenton. The group works together to support and encourage each other’s success as well as developing and maintaining it as a business entity. For information about the display visit 1440 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, or www.peachealthfitness.com. For information about A-Team contact Susan Darley at sandarley@gmail.com or call 609-795-5456, ext. 129.
Volunteer Please
Meals on Wheels of Trenton/Ewing seeks volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound on Mondays through Fridays. There is a short training session with opportunities to be a runner to deliver meals or a driver to take the runners to each home. Volunteers may commit to one day a week, one day a month, or on an as needed basis. Routes are available in Trenton and Ewing. Visit www.mowte.org or call Michael Schaefer at 609-695-3483 for information.
Jewish Community Center seeks host families for teens from Israel in conjunction with the Project Gesher-Israel, a program in which 23 10th grade students from New Jersey have interacted via Skype with 20 10th graders from Israel since March, 2010. The Israeli teens will visit New Jersey from December 27 to 29. Hosts are needed for two nights, as well as hosts for evening and early mornings. The group will be taking day trips during their visits. Contact Jerry Schwartz by E-mail at jschwartz@jcctoday.org or call 609-219-9550.
Greenwood House seeks volunteers for its community hospice program. Seeking people to be a companion to a hospice patient by reading, conversing, running errands, feeding, or providing music or other sensory stimulation; to provide support and respite to family members; to provide administrative support in the office; or care for patient’s pets. Training is offered. Contact Susan Hollander Whitman at 609-883-6026 or swhitman@greenwoodhouse.org.
NJ Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives. The blood service volunteer is an integral member of the collection team whose task it is to assist donors with registration, escorting and canteen duties, and to watch for post donation reactions. Volunteers should have the ability to relate to the public, be able to perform different jobs as needed, and be willing to follow the rules. For more information contact R. Jan Zepka at 732-616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org.
Arts Classes
Registration for Arts Council of Princeton’s winter classes for children, teens, and adults in the visual, literary, and performing arts begins Monday, January 9. For more information on classes and to register, visit www.artscouncilofprinceton.org or call 609-924-8777.
For Glee-Seekers
Paper Mill Playhouse is accepting applications for its Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater competition. Modeled after the Tony Awards, the program services the entire state of New Jersey. Honors include performance, design, production, and educational impact, and inclusion and access awards. The competition is open to any New Jersey school that produces a musical between Thursday, January 19, and Sunday, April 15. Each school is adjudicated by four independent evaluations. Visit www.papermill.org for application. Deadline is Wednesday, January 11.
For Young Dancers
Trenton Titans seeks performers for its new dance teams in Junior Prep (ages 8 to 12) and Junior Pro (ages 13 to 18) and make an appearance at selected home games. No auditions. Dancers will receive a uniform. Register on Saturday, December 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton. Enter through Gate C. Visit www.titansdanceteam.com for more information.
Directors Needed
Playhouse 22 is accepting show submissions from directors for the 2012-2013 season. Submissions should include a copy of the show script; cover letter with contact information; brief summary of show that is no more than one page long; theatrical resume, including letters of recommendation; potential staffing needs and dates available, and any expected major scheduling conflicts related to directing a show from September, 2012, through summer, 2013. Shows should be known for attracting larger and more diverse audiences. The deadline is Sunday, January 15. Information may be mailed to Playhouse 22, Play Selection Committee, Box 181, East Brunswick 08816; or E-mail submissions@playhouse22.org. Call 732-254-3939 for more information.
Parade Invitation
The Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival seeks floats and marchers for the parade on Saturday, January 28. Any local group or business is welcome to join the parade. No charge. Prizes for the float competition. Visit www.winterfestival.net/parade.html for the registration form or contact Barbara Fordyce at 609-397-8937.
Cooking Classes
Rat’s Restaurant, located in Grounds For Sculpture, offers cooking classes with Chef Cash and his culinary team. “Four courses” begins Monday, January 9; and Tuesday, January 10. Advanced Culinary class begins Monday, February 6; and Tuesday, February 7. Each class meets for four consecutive weeks at 6 p.m. Tuition is $325. Call 609-584-7800 to register.
