In Town
West Windsor Fire & Emergency Services and the West Windsor Police Department will host a Community Emergency Response Team class for residents starting on Monday, September 16. Classes will be held on Monday evenings at the Princeton Junction Firehouse through November.
The CERT program provides education about disaster preparedness. Topics include hazard recognition, basic first aid practices, fire extinguisher use, terrorism awareness, CPR, and more.
The free class is open to any adult who is interested. When students complete the course they receive a duffel bag with some essentials for disaster response. They are then invited to join the formal CERT Team and continue taking classes.
Those who elect to join the team will assist others in their neighborhood or workplace. Contact Lt. Joseph Gribbins at 609-799-2400 or westwindsorcert@gmail.com.
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District FIRST Robotics High School Team FRC 1923, the Midknight Inventors seeks adult volunteers and mentors to work with High School North and High School South robotics team members in the areas of electrical and mechanical engineering. Adult volunteers are needed to help build a competitive robot, provide support to the team, and increase the ability to fulfill the team’s goals and mission. Volunteers must register with the school district and be fingerprinted. Contact robotics team advisor Kathy Rogers at advisor@FIRSTRobotics1923.org.
West Windsor Arts Council seeks professionals with finance, accounting, legal, and fundraising experience who are passionate about the arts in our community and want to serve on a committee. Volunteer committee members become eligible for board membership after six months of service. Contact Kay at 609-716-1931 or E-mail info@westwindsorarts.org.
Literacy Volunteers in Mercer County seeks volunteers to donate two hours per week to tutor Mercer County adults. Training sessions begin Wednesday, September 25, either 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; or 6 to 9 p.m., for five weeks, at 111 Nassau Park Boulevard, West Windsor. Must be 18 old older and have a high school diploma. Contact LVMC at 609-587-6027.
Princeton Area Girls Volleyball presents a nine-week clinic starting Thursday, September 12, at Princeton Academy Athletic Center. Coached by experienced Princeton University coaches, with support from the West Windsor Volleyball Club, the focus is for girls in grades 5 to 10 who want to learn, practice, and have fun playing volleyball. Visit https://wwvbclub.com/volleyball-clinics/pag-winter-session-clinic.
Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey will hold auditions on Tuesday, September 10, at High School North, 90 Grovers Mill Road, Plainsboro. Musicians entering grades 4 to 12 must be enrolled in their school music programs and take private lessons. Homeschoolers are also invited to audition. Visit www.yocj.org for information and to register.
West Windsor Library seeks photos in conjunction with “American Landscapes,” its annual photo contest for amateurs. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, October 15. E-mail photos to wwnjlibrary@gmail.com. The contest will culminate in a photo exhibition in the main lobby of the library. Visit www.mcl.org/branches/westbr.html or call Nita Mathur at 609-275-8901.
Congregation Beth Chaim is launching a business networking initiative to strengthen businesses through sharing ideas and expertise. The inaugural meeting will be held Wednesday, September 25, at 7:30 a.m. Local business owners are encouraged to attend, but must register. Call 609-799-9401.
Attitudes in Reverse, an organization based in Plainsboro, is collecting 234 pairs of shoes for “In Their Shoes,” an upcoming exhibit with each pair representing one young person who lost hope. In the past three years 234 New Jersey residents between the ages of 10 to 18 ended their lives. The organization wants to raise awareness of those who might be struggling with a mental health disorder and increase empathy and kindness towards those who might be different. E-mail Tricia Baker at tricia@attitudesinreverse.org.
Audition
Lawrence Library has auditions for a one-act play featuring a collection of monologues about coping with downsizing and job loss. The performance is followed by an informal discussion with the audience. Auditions are Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. Seeking three females ages 30, 40, and 50 (50-year old role requires ability to read French or Creole phonetically), two males early to mid-20s, and a lighting/projectionist. E-mail resume to Karen at karencarson21@yahoo.com or call 609-213-8268.
For Artists
Cranbury Station Galleries offers “Women Watercoloring Workshops by the Sea” on Monday and Tuesday, September 30 and October 1; or Thursday and Friday, September 26 and 27. $390 includes art materials, breakfast, and light snacks. Private room is an additional $50. Workshop includes studio and on-site instructional painting, films, discussions, and more. Day tripper plan is $290. Call 609-921-0434 or E-mail kmmorolda@hotmail.com.
Volunteer Please
New Jersey State House Tour Program seeks individuals who enjoy history, civics, and have an appreciation of art and architecture to conduct tours of one of the nation’s oldest state capitals. Contact Carol Rogers at crogers@njleg.org or call 609-847-3150. Training begins this fall.
For the Young
Playhouse Acting Academy offers instruction for young people, ages 5 to 17 in three groups. Classes begin Saturday, September 14. Tuition ranges from $115 to $145. At Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick. Visit www.playhouseactingacademy.org or call Gerry Appel at 732-353-6186.
HEROES Academy is opened to gifted and talented students. College-level courses will be taught by Rutgers faculty, certified teachers, and industry professionals. The courses are not arranged by age, but by ability, to allow students to work at the pace which matches their skills. Most students are between 11 and 15, though there is no minimum age requirement.
The only requirement for attending is that a student meet certain academic qualifications. To qualify a student must score high in the SCAT, MAP, or SAT. Classes in math, science, robotics, art, and more are held weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 317 George Street, New Brunswick. Visit www.heroesgifted.org or call 732-690-7991.
Bereavement Group
Jewish Family and Vocational Service of Middlesex County has organized a new bereavement group for siblings Who have lost siblings. The need to have a place to vent, find support, and not be alone with one’s difficult loss is the motivation to form this new group. The day, time, and start date of this group is still to be determined. Contact JFVS at 732-777-1940 or 609-395-7979.
Mental Health
Princeton House provides first responder treatment services for police and corrections officers, members of the military, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs. All susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse, their rates of divorce and suicide are higher than rates among the general population.
Princeton House Behavioral Health recently launched an inpatient service tailored to the needs of first responders. Each patient undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, including assessment of medical, mental health, and addiction issues, and receives individualized treatment which may include individual, group, and family therapy; evidence-based practices; psychotropic medication management; nutrition counseling; expressive therapies (such as art or music therapy); and exercise. The approach may be integrated with traditional 12-step recovery based programming. Visit www.princetonhouse.org or call 800-242-2550.
For Health
Whole Earth Center offers “Healthy Living” discussion groups to gain useful information and healthy approaches to life. Each of the six gatherings includes a presentation, a discussion, and group exchange. Free.
Group A meets on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., on September 25, October 9 and 23; November 6 and 20, and December 4. Group B meets Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., on September 26, October 10 and 24, November 7 and 21, and December 5. E-mail register@HealthyLivingPrinceton.org or call 609-924-8021.
Family Support
Mercer Family Organization is a 501(c)3 organization committed to providing support, education, and advocacy to families of children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. Call 609-586-1200, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
History Tour
Princeton Tour Company has launched Princeton Genius Tours, self guided mobile phone tours. The tours are narrated by Princeton Tour Company owner and founder Mimi Omiecinski. The 20 stop tour is $15. Once purchased, guests receive an E-mail describing how to access the audio, geo-mapping, custom map, photos, an online trivia game and foodie tours. www.princetongeniustours.com or 609-902-3637.
Volunteer Please
Assunpink Greenway volunteer group is building a hiking trail through Robbinsville. Volunteers are needed in the building of the trail. Contact Robert Sokol at 608-918-1149 or E-mail robert.sokol435@gmail.com.
Baby and Parent Class
Princeton Junior School presents “You and Me Baby,” a new program for babies and caregivers taking place at the school this fall. The lively class is an opportunity to meet other new parents and build connections through music, movement, play, and the sharing of information. Various themes will be explored ranging from baby yoga and massage, creative play, movement/dance, art, home safety, baby sign language, and infant care techniques.
Classes will be held Mondays from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. for babies three to nine-months old; and Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. for babies 10 months to two years. The 10-week sessions begin the week of September 16 and cost $200. E-mail sswartley@princetonjuniorschool.org or call 609-924-9175.
Habitat Restoration
Delaware River Greenway Partnership and D & R Canal State Park were awarded grants to complete two habitat restoration projects along the Delaware River: a grassland restoration project in Hopewell Township, and an invasive species removal project in the Bulls Island Natural Area. Volunteers are being sought to help with the replanting effort that will take place on Sunday, October 6, and another day to be determined. Contact Stephanie Fox at dnrnaturalist@verizon.net or 609-924-5705.
Garden Grants
New Jersey Agricultural Society was awarded a $3,000 grant for its school gardening program that gives materials and training to teachers and schools to build vegetable gardens. Teachers and schools can apply for garden grants in the spring. Visit www.njagsociety.org or contact Carolyn Taylor at learningthroughgardening@gmail.com.
