Volume LXXIX, Number 33
Garden Theatre Marks 50 Years of Jaws with A Special Festival, Screenings . . . . . . . . . 5 Nearly 100 Musicians To Participate in Capital Philharmonic Season Opener. . . . . . . . . . . 11 Building on RecordBreaking Career for PU Men’s Lax, Mackesy Produces Superb Debut Campaign for PLL’s Cannons . . . . . 23 Heading into Senior Season for Lehigh Women’s Soccer, Former PHS Standout Lis Primed for Memorable Finale . . . 25
Charlie Chaplin and F. Scott Fitzgerald Share a Centenary Celebration . . . . . . . 15 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . 30 Home & Design. . . . 16, 17 New To Us . . . . . . . . . . 22 Obituaries . . . . . . . 28, 29 Performing Arts . . . . . . 18 Police Blotter. . . . . . . . . 8 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Topics of the Town . . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
PPS Awarded Grant For Planting Trees At District Schools
75¢ at newsstands
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Council Votes in Favor of Immigrant Trust Act At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council passed a resolution that supports the Immigrant Trust Act (ITA) and urges the State Legislature to pass it into law. The resolution will “expand the protections in the Immigrant Trust Directive, so that no one need fear that a visit to the DMV, to enroll their children in school, to obtain lawfully entitled healthcare, etc., could lead to their private information being shared with ICE [Immigrant and Customs Enforcement], putting themselves or their families in jeopardy,” it reads. On July 23 and 24, 16 Princeton residents were detained by ICE. In three previous Council meetings, representatives from the immigrant support group Resistencia en Accion NJ have urged the governing body to pass a resolution in favor of the ITA. While expressing gratitude for Council’s vote, organizers from Resistencia and other members of the public called the action a first step, urging them to take it further. “We also need a safety plan to alert people when ICE is in town,” said Ana Paola Pazmino, executive director of the organization. “We urge Council to not stop taking action now. This is a time where we need to work collectively. We will continue to approach and say what we think we need as citizens and immigrants.”
Previous to the vote, Council members Leticia Fraga and Leighton Newlin spoke to the crowd. “We do this with one reason and one reason only: We understand the dangerous social climate we are living in and we value all Princeton residents no matter their citizenship status,” said Newlin. “Princeton is our home. We will protect your dignity and your right to live without fear.” But Newlin cautioned that the Council
“will not govern by ultimatum.” To make his point, he referenced the actions of the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. “It did not succeed because it was loud. It succeeded because it was wise, disciplined, and united,” he said. “People placed their cause above the spotlight. We live in a time that demands the same kind of wisdom. It is not enough to be loud. We must be smart. It is not enough to be visible. We must be effective.”
Involving students in planning, planting, and monitoring trees will “foster positive connections” between students and the trees in their community,” notes the state organization Trees for Schools. Such a connection between students and trees will be grown in Princeton. A grant to Princeton Public Schools (PPS) will result in a leafy landscape of 85 new trees across the district’s six school Continued on Page 8 campuses. The $92,125 grant, awarded through Trees for Schools, allows for the purchase and planting of the trees, including planning, site preparation, watering, monitoring, and maintenance over a Princeton University researchers have a “spectrum” because each case is differthree-year period. co-led and contributed to a breakthrough ent. “Scientists have struggled to parse Sustainable Princeton partnered with study uncovering autism subtypes, which through the many ways autism can maniPPS for the grant, considering it a “natucould lead to better diagnosis and care. fest, much less to link these varying obral extension of our mission to inspire Working with the Simons Foundation, the servable traits (called phenotypes) to unsustainable actions throughout the comPrinceton researchers have identified four derlying genetics,” the Simons summary munity,” said Christine Symington, Susclinically and biologically distinct sub- states. tainable Princeton executive director, in a types of autism, which, they say, marks This study defines four subtypes of press release. She added that the project a “transformative step in understanding autism that exhibit distinct traits and dif“brings tangible environmental benefits to the condition’s genetic underpinnings and ferent patterns of genetic variation. The our schools while also fostering student potential for personalized care.” study is described on princeton.edu/news engagement with climate solutions.” This work could open the door for more as analyzing data from more than 5,000 The first stage of the grant involves precise diagnoses and personalized sup- children in an autism research study preparing a detailed planting plan by a port, according to the Simons Founda- funded by the Simons Foundation. The certified arborist, said Sustainable Prinction website (simonsfoundation.org). It researchers used a computational model eton Program Manager Jenny Ludmer. also explains that autism is classified as Continued on Page 12 This includes specific tree species and their designated locations. The grant encourages New Jersey native species, but allows any, as long as they aren’t considered invasive species, she added. One goal of the detailed planting plan will be to determine specific species for each location already under consideration. The plan and revised budget are due by mid-November, she said. The importance of planting trees, said Ludmer, is that they “are vital and entwined in our lives. They create the air we breathe, filter air pollution, and soak up stormwater. Trees also provide cool shade and offer shelter and food for both animals and people. In addition, trees trap and hold carbon, while adding beauty and improving curb appeal.” Trees increase shade to ease the heat of the sun, beautify their surroundings, Set in one of Princeton's most prestigious neighborhoods, within a short walk to town, the soak up and filter stormwater runoff, and and other cultural venues, this classic reduce the state’s carbonUniversity footprint, asembodies the community's Federalist home historyprogram. of sophistication. A grand, inviting noted by the Trees for Schools hallway with a fireplace opens to the spacious Tree for Schools is a jointliving effort therooms suitable for the most and of dining entertaining. Built in a period of skilled New Jersey Department ofelegant EnvironmenICE CREAMrooms TIME: Halo Pub was bustling on Saturday evening as many people waited patiently in line for their favorite craftsmanship, these well-proportioned have high ceilings, deep moldings and other tal Protection (DEP), Sustainable Jersey, ice cream treats. The pub features Music in the Alley, live outdoor music, every Saturday night from 6 to 9 p.m. sought after details. First floor rooms flow and The College of New Jersey. through September 27. (Photo by Jeffrey E. Tryon) seamlessly into one another and onto a large
Princeton University Study on Autism Subtypes Paves Way for Personalized Care
Continued on Pageporch, 10 facilitating warm weather entertaining.
This important home has a circular driveway and is located on almost an acre of land with a three car garage and is waiting for a new owner to make it their own.
Serving the Princeton Area Offered at $2,450,000
Robin L. Wallack Bro ke r A ss o ci ate
MARKETED BY Judith Stier
There is simply no substitute for experience.
O ( 6 0 9 ) 9Sales 2 4 . 1Associate 600 C ( 6 0 9 ) 4Direct 6 2 . 2 Line: 3 4 0 609.240.1232 E robin.wallack@foxroach.com 253 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
foxroach.com
609.924.1600
LIC#7941734