Call for Art
It was nearly 85 years ago when Orson Welles’ infamous radio broadcast declared that aliens from Mars had landed in West Windsor and caused a national stir. In order to celebrate this upcoming anniversary, West Windsor Arts Council, in collaboration with the Historical Society of West Windsor, is hosting a Martian Project sculpture design contest.
People of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to imagine what these interstellar beings would look like as they transition to their new home in West Windsor, New Jersey. Entries are encouraged to take inspiration from the audio description given by Orson Welles, but also give an original and friendly spin to how these Martians are depicted.
Designs will be collected until Friday, September 9, and then a public vote will be held to determine which design will be sculpted as the official mascot across town. The winning design will be used to create blank, fiberglass sculptures, which will be given to local artists to decorate as part of a separate design contest that will be released in the spring of 2023.
The winning sculpture designer will receive a cash prize of $500. Details and full parameters of the contest can be found at westwindsorarts.org.
Save the date for the unveiling of the winning design, which will be held during a fundraiser cocktail reception on October 30 at the historic Schenck Farmstead in West Windsor.
West Windsor Arts is also looking for more community members to join the planning committee for the Martian Project. Contact info@westwindsorarts.org for more information.
Call for Volunteers
The teens at Princeton Learning Cooperative are always on the lookout for interesting, dedicated people who are willing to share their knowledge and skills. Generally a one-hour-a-week commitment, PLC volunteers tutor one-on-one, lead small-group classes, or offer a one-time workshop in a wide range of topics. We have both in-person and online opportunities.
PLC seeks volunteers to teach topics including: math, statistics, biology, creative writing, literature analysis, test prep, political science, Greek mythology, astronomy or astrophysics, developmental psychology, mycology, neuroscience, zoology, various topics in history, criminal justice/law, forensics, economics,
American Sign Language, Italian, Norwegian/Swedish, Spanish, CAD, graphic design, smart phone photography, baking/cooking (with a toaster oven and a microwave), first aid, foraging, child care and development, personal finance, cosmetics, woodworking, wilderness survival, crafting, sewing and fashion design, car design, and environmental science.
For more information, visit www.princetonlearningcooperative.org or contact Pan at pan@princetonlearningcooperative.org, 609-851-2522.
New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), a division of New York Blood Center, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers. The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary.
Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service, be able to perform tasks as needed and must provide proof of COVID vaccination prior to volunteering. Must have transportation. All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors.
For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, manager, NJBS Volunteer Services at 732-850-8906, Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To apply online as a blood drive volunteer, access the New York Blood Center website at www.nybc.org/support-us/volunteer-nybc/volunteer-application.
For Seniors
“Imagining Women: Films of the 1940s,” “Explaining the iPhone to Isaac Newton,” and “Exploring the Early Neolithic World,” are just a few of the new courses that will be offered for the fall 2022 session of the Evergreen Forum, a program of the Princeton Senior Resource Center. Starting in September, the program will offer 21 courses for adults that focus on science, literature, art, history, social studies, and culture.
Returning instructors this fall include: Philip Carchman who will be teaching “The Supreme Court: Redistricting, Voting Rights, Campaign Finance,” and Stan Katz who will teach “Woodrow Wilson: Hero or Villain?”
Registration is first-come, first-served. Online registration opens on Tuesday, August 23, at 9:30 a.m. at princetonsenior.org. Electronic brochures are available online via the same link as above.
Classes begin the week of September 26 and meet once a week for two hours. Fees are $110 for a six- to eight-week course, and $85 for a three- to five-week course. Senior Scholarships are available to those for whom the fee is a hardship. To apply, contact Sharon Hurley at shurley@princetonsenior.org or 609-751-9699, ext. 104.
Audition
The Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra is offering auditions for the 2022-’23 season. Opportunities are available for players of strings, winds, brass, and percussion instruments ages 8 to 18. The orchestra rehearses weekly on Mondays at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton at 50 Cherry Hill Road.
Register by Monday, August 15, for an audition, and submit video by Monday, August 22. There is a $25 audition fee. Visit www.gpyo.org/auditions for more information.
