Volume LXXVIII, Number 45
PU Graduate Students Bring Love of Science to Outreach Events . . . . . . 5 SPIA in NJ Program Considers Ideas for Healthy NJ Economy . 12 Fund for Irish Studies Presents Lecture by Paul Muldoon. . . . . . . 14 Mixing It Up with Phil Lesh And Ezra Pound . . . . . 18 NJ Symphony Opens Princeton Classical Series . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Lewis Center Presents Anon(ymous) at McCarter . . . . . . . . . . 22 Brown Helps Spark Defense As PU Women’s Soccer Tops Columbia, Will Host Ivy Tournament. . . . . . . 29 Fueled by Mykhalchuk’s Playmaking, Hun Boys’ Soccer Defeats Blair in Prep A Semis to Earn Shot at Pennington in Final . . . .35
Kacey Howes Helps PHS Girls’ Soccer Pull Upset in State Opener . . . . . . . 35 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 26 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 38 Education and Recreation . . 3 Hillsborough News . . 20-21 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 15 New To Us . . . . . . . . . 28 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 37 Performing Arts . . . 23, 24 Real Estate . . . . . . . . 38 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
Election Results Local results for the November 5 General Election were unavailable at press time. For results, go to towntopics.com.
“Shop Local” is The Message For Residents, Tourists The weather is balmy and Halloween is barely behind us, but the winter holiday season is officially on. Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are several weekends away, with a late Thanksgiving (November 28) shortening the usual gift-buying season. Drawings for Experience Princeton’s “ShopPrinceton2Win” contest began this week, and decorations will soon be hung around town. The goal is to encourage patronage of local stores and restaurants. “There is a lot of competition out there, especially online,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, who is the liaison to Experience Princeton, the nonprofit that promotes local businesses. “You go into the big box stores, and the decorations are out. But it’s still not the same experience as going into a local shop. We have some new retail in town, and they all seem to be gearing up.” The recently opened Graduate by Hilton Princeton hotel and Triumph Restaurant and Brewery are expected to be a draw. “They have made a really big impact and are big investments in the community, so hopefully that will translate into good residual sales for the local businesses,” said Lambros. “Tenancy is good. We don’t have a lot of empty storefronts.” The Arts Council of Princeton opens its Artists’ Winter Chalets on November 14, running through December 22. The popup village on Hinds Plaza has become an annual event, with new and returning vendors selling textiles, jewelry, candles, pottery, clothing and additional pieces made by artisans. At the Yankee Doodle Taproom, “Friendsgiving” is November 17, and Breakfast with Santa is December 1 and 8. Princeton Tour Company holds its annual Holiday Trolley Tours December 14 and 15. The Jewish Center of Princeton sponsors the annual Menorah Lighting on December 18 on the patio of the Nassau Inn, and the much-anticipated tree
75¢ at newsstands
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
State Urges Caution as Drought Persists With October 2024 in the record books as New Jersey’s driest October in history, a statewide fire ban is now in effect. On October 17, Gov. Phil Murphy issued a drought watch, urging residents and businesses to conserve water. It hasn’t rained locally in over a month. And there is no real end in sight. Thursday, November 14 is the first mention of any precipitation, with “rain ending in the morning” as predicted on Accuweather.com. The next possibility is November 22, when “a morning shower followed by a little rain in the afternoon” is listed. And nothing else is predicted until December 10: “Periods of light rain.” No outdoor fires — wood or charcoal — are permitted. And definitely no fireworks. “This has been quite interesting to watch,” said Frank D’Amore, Princeton’s fire official. “I can’t recall anything like it this late in the year. It’s very dry out there, so we are not approving any wood or charcoal burning permits at all. You can buy fireworks in the store, but please don’t do that right now.” While the possibility of wildfires is the main worry, the drought is also causing concern for those who maintain Princeton’s forests and natural areas. Friends of Princeton Open Space (FOPOS), which
is based at the Billy Johnson Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve, is keeping a close watch on the situation. “Due to the drought, we have postponed fall planting to the spring, and our intern team has been busy keeping nursery plants hydrated,” said Anna Corichi, director, natural resources and stewardship, in an email. “Drought conditions also pose threats to water quality and wildlife habitat [at the Preserve]. As the lake’s water levels drop, nutrients and
toxins can become more concentrated, negatively impacting aquatic life; also, shallower and warmer waters could lead to an increase in algal and nuisance plant growth. FOPOS regularly monitors Mountain Lake with support from StreamWatch volunteers (organized by The Watershed Institute), FOPOS interns, and lake management professionals.” Laurie Cleveland, executive director of The Sourland Conservancy, said her pond is the lowest she’s seen it. “I’m very Continued on Page 13
PPS Presents Theater, Music, Visual Arts; Neil Simon’s “Rumors” Nov. 14-17 at PHS
In theater, music, and visual arts, Princeton Public Schools (PPS) is presenting a diverse array of events in November and December. Rumors, a 1988 Neil Simon “elegant farce,” as the author described it, will take the spotlight on the Princeton High School (PHS) stage November 14-17. At Princeton Middle School (PMS) on November 22 and 23, the theme will be self-image and social and emotional learning in Hoodie, a short “play for the times,” according to PMS Theater Director Chaundra Cameron.
The studio Jazz Band is preparing for Big Band dances on November 22 and December 13 from 7-10 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, as well as their annual Jammin’ with Santa event for children and families starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 14 and featuring arts, crafts, games, face painting, food, music by the PHS Jazz Ensemble, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The PHS Choir will be presenting two concerts with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra as part of their Holiday POPS! concert on December 14 at Richardson Continued on Page 8
COW SERENADE: Cows were celebrated and honored at the Annual Cow Parade festival at Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrenceville on Saturday afternoon. The tradition comes from the Swiss Alps, when the cows are brought down from the mountains to the lower pastures each fall, with elaborate decorations. The event also featured hayrides, games, face painting, food, music, dancers, storytelling, and local artisans. (Photo by Sarah Teo)
Continued on Page 10
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