Donations Please
Crisis Ministry of Mercer County, Rotary Club of Princeton, and McCaffrey’s Supermarkets will team with area schools, congregations, and hundreds of individuals for Valentines for Food, the annual drive to support the three pantries in the ministry’s hunger prevention services.
McCaffrey’s Princeton and West Windsor stores will sell $4.99 “Valentines for Food” from February 1 to 14. McCaffrey’s will match purchases dollar for dollar, up to $5,000. There are food drives at Princeton, West Windsor-Plainsboro public schools, Ewing High School, the Hun School, and the Pennington School.
There are also food drives and monetary collections at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church of Trenton, Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, St. James Church Pennington, St. Paul’s Church Princeton, Christ Congregation, Nassau Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, Princeton United Methodist Church, Trinity Church Princeton, Trinity Church Rocky Hill, and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton.
Virtual Valentines and Virtual Food Drive are available at www.thecrisisministry.org. E-mail or traditional mail will be sent to recipients designated by the donor. Call 609-396-9355 or E-mail to info@thecrisisministry.org.
Go Red for Women
American Heart Association requests that everyone wear red on Friday, February 7, to focus attention and raise funds to fight cardiovascular disease in women. Donations to Go Red For Women help support efforts to educate women and fund breakthrough research by the American Heart Association which focuses on improving cardiovascular health.
On February 7, or on a different day if you wish, you and your colleagues are encouraged to wear red (and dress down if your company allows) and each donate $5 or more. As a thank you for their support, each participant will receive a Go Red For Women red dress pin or sticker to wear, along with information about how to make healthy choices every day. As a Wear Red Day coordinator, you will receive all the materials needed to conduct a successful event, including a coordinator’s guide, educational materials, posters, and ideas to make your event successful. Call 609-223-3757 or E-mail courtney.nelson@heart.org.
Workshops
Interfaith Caregivers of Mercer County offers “The Art of Listening,” a workshop to enhance active listening skills and improve communication. Community members are invited. The next session is Tuesday, February 4, at the Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. Meet and greet with light refreshments at 6:30. Call 609-393-9922.
NAMI Mercer is accepting registrations for Family-to-Family, a free, 12-week education course for adult family members of persons living with mental illness. Tuesday evening classes commence on February 25, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1985 Pennington Road, Ewing. Thursday evening classes begin February 27 at the NAMI Mercer Center, 3371 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. Both classes are from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Family members have the opportunity to meet others like themselves in a confidential setting. The curriculum covers the biology of brain disorders, recent developments in brain research related to mental illness, and the latest medication and treatment options. Families also learn how to cope with the stress of caregiving and how best to advocate for their loved ones. Registration is required. E-mail home@namimercer.org or call 609-799-8994 for information.
Art
Morven Museum & Garden will be hosting two six-week painting workshops taught by artist Katie Cutler. “Beginner Painting Workshop” will be held Tuesdays, February 4 to March 11, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. “Intermediate/Advanced Painting Workshop” will be held the same days from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
College Planning
Princeton Education Network presents coffee and conversation with Barbara Kalmus, the director of the organization. She will talk about preparing for SAT and ACT. WW-P High School North, Thursday, March 20, 7 to 9 p.m. WW-P High School South, West Windsor, Tuesday, March 25, 7 to 9 p.m. Register by E-mail to info@PrincetonEd.com
Literature & Drama
George Street Playhouse continues its book club program with “I Love, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti” and “Our Town.” See “I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti” (March 11 to April 6) or “Our Town” (April 22 to May 25); receive a copy of “I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti” or the published script of “Our Town,” a study guide, and a discussion with a member of the George Street Playhouse staff. The cost is $58 per person. E-mail jdulisse@georgestplayhouse.org or call 732-846-2895, ext. 134.
Picnic Plans
Mercer County Park Commission is accepting reservations at the five picnic areas throughout Mercer County. Visit www.mercercountyparks.org/about/picnics for information, pictures, amenities of each area, as well as to make reservations. Users will have the opportunity to view available dates and picnic areas for rent. Interested parties should have either a MasterCard or Visa card ready to make a reservation. Reservations may also be made at the Events & Recreation Center at 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor.
For the Young
Mercer County Improvement Authority invites students in grades K-12 to participate in the Mercer County Recycles Video contest. Submit a three-minute video on the benefits of organic/food waste recycling. The deadline for video submission is Monday, March 31.
Prizes will be award for first, second and third place in each grade level. Winners will be announced during Earth Day week. Visit www.mcianj.org or E-mail Brenda Ricci at bricci@mercercounty.org for information.
For Singers
Community Christian Choir is accepting registration for the upcoming season. The adult and children’s choir will present a series of benefit concerts in April and May.
The multi-denominational group has members ages five to active adult seniors. Church affiliation is not required for membership. The choir sings a variety of music ranging from traditional to contemporary Christian music. The children’s choir has divisions for ages 6 18. Singers are placed according to experience, ability, and commitment.
The children’s divisions rehearse Sunday at Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville. The adult choir is un-auditioned and rehearses two to three Friday evenings a month. There is also an auditioned adult ensemble. Practice tracks are provided for registered singers. Music reading ability is helpful but not required. Visit www.ccchoir.com or call 609-587-7076 for information.
For Women
Ewing WIC office is relocating to 416 Bellevue Avenue, Trenton, on Monday, February 3, to better serve Mercer County’s women, infants, and children. Visit www.wicmercer.org or call 609-498-7755 for information.
Almost Seniors
What’s Next for You, a small group for women or men age 50 plus. The group runs for eight weeks beginning Friday, February 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at Princeton Professional Park in Princeton. Jane Adriance leads the group. The cost is $300. E-mail janeadriance@comcast.net or call 609-452-8576 for information.
