Volume LXXVII, Number 29
Princeton University Concerts and American Repertory Ballet Partner To Aid Parkinson’s Community . . . . . . . . . 5 Middle School Students Head to Ecuador For Cultural Travel Program . . . . . 10 PU Men’s Hoops Player Lee Stars for Canada at U19 World Cup . . . 19 Former PDS Standout Surace Developed Comfort Level in Debut Season for Columbia Women’s Lax . . . . . 22
This Week’s Book Review Celebrates J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) . . . . . . . 12 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 18 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 25 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 24 Performing Arts . . . . . 13 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . 25 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Senior Living . . . . . . . . 2 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
www.towntopics.com
Safety Officials View Last Weekend’s Storms As the “New Normal” The fast-moving downpour that left at least five people dead in Lower Makefield Township, Pa. this past weekend was not as destructive in Princeton. But with 3.6 inches of rain falling on already saturated ground in less than an hour, the area was not without incident. According to Michael Yeh, Princeton’s director of emergency services, the storm’s impact was centered on the north end of the town. There were two water rescue responses — one at Route 206 and Mountain Avenue; the other at Christopher Drive, just off Rosedale Road. “They weren’t critical. The water was just fast-moving and it disabled their vehicles,” Yeh said of the rescues, which involved the Princeton Fire Department and Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad. But while the area escaped devastating impact, Yeh cautions that a life-threatening scenario could occur at any time. “Unfortunately, there is a lot more localized, very intensive rainfall than in the past,” Yeh said. “We saw upwards of six inches in Bucks County and Hopewell on Saturday. These kinds of storms are much more frequent. They used to call them century storms, and now we’re seeing them a couple times a year.” About six trees fell during the storm, and some electrical wires came down, causing traffic lights to go out. There was some damage to Great Road between Preserve Drive and Stuart Road. “The edge of the road on the southbound side was deteriorated because of the rainwater runoff, exposing a gas line,” said Yeh. “PSE&G made repairs and fixed it the next day.” Also impacted was Pretty Brook Road near Brooks Bend, where debris was in the roadway. The Princeton Fire Department cleared it away and reopened the street. Princeton’s Department of Public Works cleared storm drains, which Yeh urges homeowners to do as well. “We want to ask everybody to clear storm drain inlets near their own properties,” he said. “That will keep their homes safe from flooding. If they can’t do it, contact us.” As of Tuesday afternoon, rescue works had still not located the missing infant and toddler who were swept away in the Saturday storm on Taylorsville Road in Continued on Page 9
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Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Joint Effort Safe Streets Begins August 4 “Reflections on Princeton’s Black Community” is the theme of this year’s Joint Effort Safe Streets program, which on August 4 will kick off ten days of celebrations, salutes, community discussions, and sports activities centered in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. Princeton Councilman Leighton Newlin emphasized the significance of this annual event and praised its founder and chief organizer John Bailey. “The Safe Streets campaign is always a welcome event,” Newlin said. “Not only does it bring sports activities for the youths, it also offers opportunities for Princeton-at-large and the Witherspoon-Jackson communities to rededicate and recommit themselves to critical efforts regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Highlights of this year’s Joint Effort will include Witherspoon Jackson Community Day, Betsey Stockton and Laura Wooten Day, Howard Waxwood Day, Albert Hinds Day, Jim Floyd and Romus Broadway Day, Joint Effort Community Alumni Day, Paul Bustill Robeson Day, and Pete Young Sr. Day — all with widespread engagement of Princeton and Mercer County political. education, and other community leaders Citing the powerful influence of “the
ancestors” on the proceedings and on the life of the community, Bailey described Joint Effort as “a necessary investment of time, energy, money, and engagement of community because there is still so much to be done, so far to go.” He continued, “Democracy is elusive, freedom is elusive, truth and sometimes trust are elusive, and here’s a transparent way to engage folks in a positive manner.” Bailey noted that the work of organizing and directing Joint Effort is for him
“a labor of love.” He added, “I am not smart enough to do this by myself. I’ve been moved and coordinated and managed and manipulated by the ancestors to make sure that this happens.” The celebrations will begin with a reception at 5 p.m. August 4 at Studio Hillier on Witherspoon Street and will include welcoming remarks, as well as the presentation of the Jim Floyd Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Hillier (posthumously) and to Mamie Oldham, Continued on Page 7
Mosquitoes are Here Until October, But We Have Ways to Fight Back
It’s mosquito season, and the rains this summer, along with the warm weather, have increased the population of this already-prolific creature that torments New Jerseyans who like to spend time outdoors. Mercer County sent out a warning bulletin on Facebook last week. “While our crews can help mitigate the nuisance, mosquitoes are a backyard problem, and community involvement is crucial for success in controlling them, “ said Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes. “I urge our residents to take some simple measures, such as eliminating standing
water in and around their homes, to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes.” What else can you do, especially if you happen to be one of those frequently-bitten individuals who is particularly tasty to mosquitoes? The Asian tiger mosquito (aedes albopictus) seems to be the type most common in New Jersey, and though there are about 3,000 species of mosquito in the world, the good news is that only about 150 species are known to occur in North America, only 63 found in New Jersey, and only Continued on Page 9
IT’S COMING ALONG: The transformation of the former office building at 20 Nassau Street into the Graduate Hotel continues, with new construction on Chambers Street, where the entrance will be located. Rebuilding of the Nassau Street sidewalk between Bank and Chambers Street is set to begin as soon as Thursday, July 20. Part of a chain of hotels in college towns, the Graduate is targeted to open in early 2024. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)
Linda Twining, Sales Associate IN THE TOP 2% OF AGENTS IN MERCER COUNTY IN 2022*
NJ REALTORS CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE SALES AWARD 2013-2022 ®
®
c 609.439.2282 ltwining@callawayhenderson.com lindatwining.com o 609.921.1050 4 Nassau Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08542 *Source: Bright MLS closed sales: 1/1/2022 - 12/31/22. Each office is independently owned and operated.