In Town
West Windsor Library’s Youth Services Department will hold open auditions for its upcoming Halloween Playfest. The auditions take place on Saturdays, July 28 and August 4, from 2 to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays, August 1 and 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. Performances on October 19 and 20 will feature two short Halloween plays for actors ages 9 to 11. Performances on October 26 to 28 will feature a longer play for actors ages 11 to 17. There are also some adult roles. Auditions will include readings from the scripts available at the reference desk. Auditions will take place at West Windsor Library, 333 North Post Road, West Windsor. Rehearsals begin in early September. Help is also needed with makeup, costumes, and set construction. Call director Michael Kerr at 609-275-8901 or e-mail mkerr@mcl.org with questions or for a copy of the script.
American Red Cross offers a Youth Leadership conference at 707 Alexander Road, West Windsor, Monday to Thursday, August 6 to 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The four-day conference is for students entering grades 9 to 12. Activities include a course for disaster service, exploring humanitarian law, CPR training, lessons in government relations and civic responsibility, and Spark the Wave program focusing on communication, leadership, project planning, and diversity awareness. Register. $100. Call Karen Winlund at 973-538-2160, ext. 206, E-mail winlundk@redcrossnj.org, or visit www.njredcross.org.
Princeton HealthCare System is offering tours of University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. For information on the Text for Tours program text the word TOURS to 50202.
Windsor Chapel invites children entering kindergarten through sixth grade to vacation Bible school Monday to Friday, August 6 to 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 40l Village Road East, Princeton Junction. The theme is “Seaside Celebration” and includes snacks, stories, singing, skits, arts and crafts, and games. The children perform skits and sing the songs they learned during the week on Saturday, August 11, at Community Day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Community Day also includes family entertainment, pony rides, a petting zoo, moon walk, games, face painting, balloon animals, and live music. All activities are free. Food, drinks, and ice cream will be available. To register visit www.windsorchapel.org, E-mail chapel@windsorchapel.org, or call 609-799-2559.
Calling Young Writers
Cotsen Children’s Library is launching the Picture Book Press, a full-color literary quarterly that will feature work from young people including stories, poems, essays, and reviews. It will also feature unique, interesting, and unusual items in Cotsen’s rare collections. They will accept poems, fiction, and non-fiction from writers ages 5 to 17. Feel free to submit the science fiction story you’ve been perfecting, the report on bats that earned you an A in biology, a poem, or a review of your favorite book. Visit www.princeton.edu/cotsen/gallery-programs/special-programs/ for information.
Auditions
Playful Theater Productions has auditions for “Little Shop of Horrors” on Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5. They are seeking a total of nine actors — three male adults and four female adults (age 16 and up), and two adult actors of either gender (age 16 and up). The Voice of Audrey II (male or female, 16 plus) does not appear onstage, but must have an outstanding and distinctive singing voice with exceptional range and power (males and females will be considered for this role). A puppeteer (male or female, 16 plus) is needed to work with (and inside of) the various Audrey II puppets that will be created for the show. No singing or speaking, but good physical comedy skills and some physical strength are required. Singing and dancing audition is not necessary.
Prepare one complete song from musical theater and bring sheet music in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. Be prepared to dance. All roles are open. Rehearsals are expected to begin in late August or early September and run three to four times per week until the show’s opening in October at Kelsey Theater.
E-mail suzanne_mclean@hotmail.com for an appointment including the preferred day and time in the message. Call 215-579-5677 for more information.
Somerset Valley Players has auditions for “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” on Sunday and Tuesday, August 12 and 14, at 7 p.m. at 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough. Performances are weekends, November 30 through December 16. Needed are seven adults and 12 children.
An English accent is required for all four Pevensie children. Actors with special talents including jugglers and acrobats are needed. Visit www.svptheatre.org or call 908-369-7469.
Seeking Craft Vendors
Mercer County Culture & Heritage is seeking craft vendors who create artwork in the tradition of their native country. The Mercer County Cultural Festival will be held on Saturday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Mercer County Park in West Windsor. Vendor fee is $75. Bring your own tables and chairs. Electricity available. Rain date is Sunday, October 14. Call 609-278-2712 for information.
Volunteers Needed
New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, which supplies blood products and services to 60 hospitals throughout the state, 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 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 have the willingness to follow the rules. For information contact R. Jan Zepka at 732-616-8741 or rzepka@nybloodcenter.org
For Caregivers
Robert Wood Johnson Hamilton Center for Health and Wellness offers “Caring for the Caregiver,” a workshop for family caregivers of seniors with long-term illnesses to learn how to care your own life needs while you handle the stresses and transitions of caregiving. The conference is Thursday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Mercerville.
Talks include “101 Reasons to Feel Guilty: Caregiver Guilt and What to Do About It” presented by Reverend Sylvia Masi, Care Alternatives Hospice; “Palliative Care: Quality of Life Comfort, Dignity, and Understanding” with Karen Visich, RWJ Hospital; “She’s Not Gone So Why Am I So Sad: Caregiver’s Anticipatory Grief” with Masi; “Moving, Grooving, and Soothing Yourself” with Joan Brame, Empower Fitness. Register at 609-584-5900. Free.
Battle of the Bands
Millstone Performing Arts Center has a battle of the bands concert on Saturday, August 18, from 7 to 10 p.m., at 5 Dawson Court, Millstone Township. College, High School, and Middle School bands, as well as solo artists and duos are encouraged to submit their 5 to 10 minute DVD/CD for consideration by Monday, July 30. Submit to MPAC, along with the non-refundable submission fee of $25, payable to MPAC. Submit your YouTube or other electronic version to MPAC@millstone.k12.nj.us. Reference your band name on any correspondence.
First place winner receives $400, a performance spot for a MPAC show, and a performance during Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson. The second place winner receives $200 and a performance during Fright Fest. The third place winner will perform during Fright Fest. Steve Trevelise, from Sarcasm Comedy and NJ 101.5 FM, will emcee the event. Visit www.millstone.k12.nj.us to download an application. For information contact Barbara Schulze by E-mail at schulzb@millstone.k12.nj.us
Donate Please
Community Connection of Princeton HealthCare is accepting donations for the 94th annual White Elephant Rummage Sale every Tuesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, and Tuesday evenings, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fete Barn, 905 Herrontown Road, Princeton. The event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 6 and 7. Location will be announced at a later date. Proceeds to benefit University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro.
Seeking Ambassadors
Department of Environmental Protection’s AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Program is now seeking recruits for its 2013 class. Seeking the next generation of environmental leaders, young people with a hands-on desire to improve New Jersey, and the quality of life for all residents. There are 20 potential watershed management areas across the state where an ambassador can be placed. Ambassadors work to improve the quality of New Jersey’s waterways through community-based environmental activities.
Ambassadors are expected to complete 1,700 hours of service in a 10 to 12 month period. In return, they receive a stipend of up to $12,100 over the course of the term; eligibility for health benefits during this period; and training prior to and throughout their term of service. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a bachelor’s degree, and must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to get to and from field sites.
Apply online or send a resume and cover letter to Akili H. Gordon or Kim Cenno, AmeriCorps Program Manager, NJ Watershed Ambassadors Program, Division of Water Monitoring and Standards, Bureau of Environmental Analysis and Restoration, Mail Code: 401-04I, 401 East State Street, Box 420, Trenton 08625-0420. Call 609-633-1441, E-mail NJWAP@dep.state.nj.us, or visit www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bear/americorps.htm for information. Deadline is Friday, August 17.
Italian Lessons
Dorothea’s House offers classes in Italian at 120 John Street, Princeton, for adults and children, beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels; weekdays and Saturdays. For information contact Gilda McCauley at 908-359-1564 or E-mail james_mccauley@comcast.net.
Host a Child
Fresh Air Fund seeks hosts for children from New York’s inner cities. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks. Children who are reinvited by host families may have extended trips through age 18. For more information contact Laurie Bershad at 609-371-2817 or visit www.freshair.org.
Ride a Bike
For This One Inc presents Lose The Training Wheels camp at North Brunswick High School, 98 Raider Road, North Brunswick, to help people with disabilities learn to ride a bicycle without training wheels. People with disabilities ages 8 to adult are eligible to participate. Participants who have benefited most from this program are those who are able to walk without assistive devices, are able to sidestep quickly, can function in a social setting, and are able and willing to wear a bike helmet. The program is Monday to Friday, August 13 to 17. Call 732-660-8366 or E-mail LTTW@forthisone.org
