On Ramp is a guide to opportunities readers can act on now, from workshops, auditions and artist calls to volunteer roles, business programs and community resources. Listings are subject to change, so readers should confirm details with the sponsoring organization before making plans.
Learning & Lifestyle
Pickleball instruction. Center for Modern Aging Princeton offers pickleball instruction at the Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton St., Princeton. Beginners can learn the basics Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., for $20 for residents or $25 for nonresidents. Intermediate players can attend Prep & Play Wednesdays, Oct. 14 and 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for $35 or $40.
Advanced beginners who have taken an introductory course can join a gameplay session Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for $35 or $40, or Play with the Pro Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10 to 11 a.m., for $20 or $25. Intermediate Play with the Pro meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the same lower rates. Register through the program portal and choose the level matching your experience. cmaprinceton.org
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Guided music meditation. Princeton University Concerts invites the public to practice guided meditation with live tabla music by Sandeep Das Thursday, Oct. 15, at noon on the stage of Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall, Princeton University. Matthew Weiner, associate dean in the Office of Religious Life, provides meditation instruction. No prior experience is needed, and admission is free without tickets.
Doors open at 11:45 a.m.; participants enter the auditorium at noon. Capacity is limited, and the session concludes by 1 p.m. Attendees may bring a mat or cushion for floor seating. Later sessions feature pianist Tony Siqi Yun Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Junction Trio Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2027, both at noon in the same venue, also free and unticketed. concerts.princeton.edu
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Beginning astrology course. The Astrological Society of Princeton offers a beginner astrology course with Debe De Stefano on eight consecutive Mondays, Oct. 19 through Dec. 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern time on Zoom. The course introduces chart orientation, houses, signs, planets and aspects, using tropical astrology and the Placidus house system. The fee is $200. Register through the society website, with payment options including PayPal, credit card and Venmo. Direct course questions to aquamoonastrology@gmail.com or 732-705-1351. aspnj.org
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Dance classes and trainee auditions. Mill Ballet School is accepting fall registrations for classes serving children, teens and adults at 46 N. Sugan Road, New Hope. Teen and adult ballet drop-in classes require no prior experience and meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. during the academic year ending May 29, 2027. Use the registration portal under adult ballet drop in to receive class communications. New students may request one free trial class.
The school also invites audition inquiries for its preprofessional trainee program for ages 10 to 13 and 14 to 18, developed with Roxey Ballet and Regional Dance America. The program includes performance, choreography and community service. Contact info@millballetschool.com or 609-397-7244 for placement, tuition and audition arrangements. millballetschool.com
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Personalized backpack workshop. Adults ages 18 and older can transfer their own artwork to a drawstring backpack using sublimation technology at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. Sessions are Sunday, Nov. 1, at noon and Monday, Nov. 2, at 2 p.m. Tools and materials are provided. Registration is required, and participants should choose one session.
A separate workshop for ages 9 to 17 meets Sunday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m., with bags provided. Youth admission is first come, first served, with tickets available at the Youth Services Desk beginning at 1:30 p.m. monroetwplibrary.org
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Online holiday cooking. Monroe Township Public Library offers three online Library Chef classes Wednesdays in November at 7:30 p.m. Topics are stuffing three ways Wednesday, Nov. 4; honey mashed sweet potatoes Wednesday, Nov. 11; and classic potato latkes Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Participate from home through the free Library Chef platform at app.librarychef.com rather than Zoom. Recipes, instructions and equipment lists are available on the platform, allowing participants to prepare for each class. Archived sessions and additional cooking videos are available for those who miss a live program. The Nov. 11 online class takes place despite the library building being closed for Veterans Day. monroetwplibrary.org
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Sewing machine basics. Adults ages 18 and older can learn to wind a bobbin, thread a needle and practice stitching in a hands-on class at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. Meet Your Sewing Machine is offered Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. or Monday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. Registration is required; choose one session.
The introductory class also satisfies the prerequisite for the library’s fall basket sewing project Thursday, Nov. 19. Participants who already have machine sewing knowledge may take the project class without completing the introductory session. monroetwplibrary.org
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Word processing basics. Monroe Township Public Library offers Microsoft Word Basics Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. The class is for adults ages 18 and older who are new to Word or want to refresh their skills. Participants learn basic word processing by creating a document such as a letter.
Knowledge of a computer keyboard and mouse is required. Registrants must have an email address to create a Northstar Digital Literacy Learner account. Register for an afternoon or evening session through the library. monroetwplibrary.org
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Getting started with computers. Adults ages 18 and older can learn basic computer skills Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. Topics include what computers are, the different kinds of computers, their controls and how to navigate them.
Registration is required, and participants should select one session. An email address is needed to create a Northstar Digital Literacy Learner account. The class focuses on basic computer use rather than a particular office application. monroetwplibrary.org
Arts & Creativity
Stitching and craft exchange. Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, offers several opportunities for adults to work on crafts and meet other makers. Sit-N-Stitch meets Fridays, Nov. 6 and 20, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, with no registration required. Bring your own supplies; all skill levels are welcome.
Craft, Swap & Create takes place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Adults ages 18 and older can exchange new or gently used craft supplies, try beginning paper crafting or use coloring pages. Drop in during those hours. Donations are not accepted in advance, and participants must take home their remaining craft items. monroetwplibrary.org
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Fall decoupage project. Adults ages 18 and older can make a decoupaged cutting board in Monroe Township Public Library’s fall craft session Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. Tools and materials are provided for the seasonal decorating project. Space is limited, and registration is required through the library. monroetwplibrary.org
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Poetry workshop. Readers and writers can meet to read, write and discuss poetry Monday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. The monthly workshop gives participants an opportunity to work with poetry in a group setting. The program takes place in person, and registration is required through the library. monroetwplibrary.org
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Open quilling studio. Adults ages 18 and older can work on their own quilling projects Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. Participants must bring their projects and quilling supplies. There is no assigned group project; each person works independently during the session. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. monroetwplibrary.org
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Photography club. Monroe Township residents ages 12 and older can join the library’s monthly Photography Club Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 3:30 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. The club welcomes all skill levels, including people with no photography experience. Bring a camera or a smart device to participate and share your interest in photography. The meeting takes place in person, and registration is not required. monroetwplibrary.org
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Sew a fall basket. Monroe Township Public Library offers a fall basket sewing project Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. The class is open to adults ages 18 and older who have taken Meet Your Sewing Machine or already know how to use a sewing machine.
Participants must bring 2 yards of fabric and an 18-by-22-inch piece of Soft & Stable. Registration is required. The project is intended for use on a holiday table. monroetwplibrary.org
Community Connections
Water-use rule comments. The Delaware River Basin Commission invites public participation in a proposal requiring public water supply systems to report water use by their largest customers. An online Water Management Advisory Committee meeting Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m. will discuss the proposal; register through the commission website.
A Zoom public hearing follows Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 1:30 p.m., ending no later than 3 p.m. To testify, register by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, or before speaking slots fill, and indicate that you wish to speak. YouTube viewers cannot testify. Speaking time is approximately three minutes. Written comments are accepted through the linked SmartComment system until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Written and oral comments receive equal consideration. Contact Kate Schmidt at kate.schmidt@drbc.gov or 609-477-7205 with participation questions. nj.gov
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Walk for mental health services. Participants and sponsors can register for Carrier Clinic’s Walk of Hope Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at 252 County Road 601, Belle Mead. The rain-or-shine event follows a one-mile loop around the campus. Attendance is free; participants who raise at least $50 receive a commemorative T-shirt.
Proceeds support services including expansion of the adolescent unit, therapy programs and language interpretation. Register to walk, raise money or sponsor the event through GiveHMH.org/2026WalkofHope. Participants may also organize their own fundraisers through the foundation. Direct questions to strategicevents@hmhn.org. givehmh.org
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Doylestown parade applications. Discover Doylestown invites scout troops, community groups and nonprofit organizations to apply to participate in its holiday parade, held the Friday after Thanksgiving. Applications must be submitted before Sunday, Nov. 1. Groups can use the application linked in the organization’s current holiday announcement. Direct participation questions to president@discoverdoylestown.org. The call offers local organizations a way to take part in the town’s seasonal community celebration. discoverdoylestown.org
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Middle school library volunteers. Students in grades six through eight can volunteer at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, during two November programs. Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., volunteers help prepare and facilitate Jumbo Chutes and Ladders, a family activity in which participants act as the game pieces.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m., volunteers help create a book menu of recommendations for library patrons. Registration is not required for either volunteer session. Contact the Youth Services Desk at 732-521-5000 for program questions. monroetwplibrary.org
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Help decorate Doylestown. Volunteers can help install wreaths and snowflake decorations in Doylestown Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at Starbucks, 10 N. Main St., at 9:30. Volunteers work in pairs and will need a 6-foot ladder. Discover Doylestown supplies the heavy-duty plastic ties used to hang the decorations, and other tools are no longer needed. Use the volunteer signup linked from the Decorate the Town page to participate. discoverdoylestown.org
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Arts operating grant applications. The New Jersey State Council on the Arts is accepting applications for two multiyear support programs, with submissions due through SAGE by noon Thursday, Nov. 19. General Operating Support provides annual funding over three years for eligible operating expenses of nonprofit organizations whose missions are exclusively devoted to the arts. General Program Support funds direct arts-related costs of full-time, ongoing public arts programs based in New Jersey.
Applicants should review the appropriate FY28 guidelines, eligibility requirements and supporting documents before applying. Free virtual office hours require registration, and recorded assistance webinars are available. The grant cycle runs July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2030. Late applications and deadline extensions are not accepted. For application accessibility accommodations, contact Lindsay Dandeo at lindsay.dandeo@sos.nj.gov or 609-984-7020. nj.gov
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Blood donation appointments. The American Red Cross and Kerala Hindus of New Jersey partner with Monroe Township Public Library for a blood drive Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. Prospective donors can schedule an appointment through the Red Cross blood donation website. Use the appointment system to review the available donation times and applicable donor requirements. redcrossblood.org
Support & Connections
Pingpong for people with Parkinson’s. Center for Modern Aging Princeton offers PingPongParkinson Wednesdays in October from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Suzanne Patterson Building, 45 Stockton St., Princeton. Sessions within this coverage period are Wednesdays, Oct. 14, 21 and 28. Participants join warmup exercises, table tennis demonstrations and lessons, gameplay and social activities in a supportive setting. There is no fee, but registration is required through the center’s program portal. cmaprinceton.org
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LGBTQ+ aging connections. Aging Gaily meets Monday, Oct. 19, at 2:30 p.m. at Center for Modern Aging Princeton’s Nancy S. Klath Center, 101 Poor Farm Road, and on Zoom. The LGBTQ+ group offers an opportunity to connect, socialize, support one another and build friendships. The gathering usually takes place on the third Monday of the month. There is no fee, and participants must register through the center’s program portal for the October meeting. cmaprinceton.org
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Decluttering together. People working to downsize, organize or clear clutter can join Clearing Spaces on Zoom Mondays in October at 3 p.m. The remaining meetings in this coverage period are Mondays, Oct. 19 and 26. Center for Modern Aging Princeton’s group provides a setting for sharing tips, challenges and progress. Participants also spend part of the hour completing a small organizing task. The program is free, and registration is required through the center’s online portal. cmaprinceton.org
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Learn about aging services. Center for Modern Aging Princeton offers Welcome Wednesday on Zoom Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants can learn about the center’s activities, services and technology offerings before choosing programs that fit their needs. The session provides an introduction to the range of resources available through the organization. There is no fee, and registration is required through the program portal. cmaprinceton.org
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Women’s wellness group. Monroe Township Public Library’s Strong, Healthy & Empowered women’s wellness group meets Thursday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. The group brings women together for education, connection and encouragement related to overall wellness. The program takes place in person. Registration is required through the library. monroetwplibrary.org
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Support for spouse caregivers. Spouses and partners caring for someone who is chronically ill, disabled or aging can attend a support group Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza.
Participants can exchange practical caregiving tips, reduce isolation and discuss emotional struggles and changes in connection, conversation and intimacy resulting from illness. The group focuses specifically on the experience of caring for a spouse or partner. Registration is required for the in-person meeting. monroetwplibrary.org
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Social for adults with special needs. Monroe Township Public Library hosts Mix & Mingle Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m. at 4 Municipal Plaza. The social is designed for adults ages 18 and older with cognitive or developmental disabilities and their parent or caregiver. Participants meet in person at the library. Advance registration is required through the library. monroetwplibrary.org
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Caregiver groups move online. Monroe Township Public Library’s November caregiver support groups meet on Zoom Wednesday, Nov. 11, with a daytime session from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and an evening session at 7 p.m. The daytime gathering moves online because the library is closed for Veterans Day; in-person daytime meetings are scheduled to resume in December.
Kat Verdi, a certified Alzheimer’s and dementia care trainer with The Gardens at Monroe, leads the groups. Participation is intended for caregivers only. Solicitation and distribution of promotional material are not permitted. Register through the library to receive access to the online sessions. monroetwplibrary.org
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Caregiver time and chronic illness support. Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza, offers two in-person support programs Thursday, Nov. 19. Caregivers Unwind meets from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with Kat Verdi of The Gardens at Monroe. Formerly called A Time for Me Caregiver Support Group, it provides a creative setting for caregivers to step away from daily responsibilities and focus on their own needs.
Hope in Healing meets at 2 p.m. for people living with chronic illness who want connection, encouragement and practical strategies. Registration is required for each program. monroetwplibrary.org
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Caregiver self-care event. Caregivers can register for a dedicated self-care event Monday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. Caregiver coach Kat Verdi leads creative activities, interactive games and meditative experiences, with sponsorship from The Gardens at Monroe. The program is exclusively for caregivers and offers time away from routine caregiving responsibilities. Space is limited, and registration is required. Solicitation and distribution of promotional materials are not permitted. monroetwplibrary.org
Youth & Family
Robotics learning and food collection. Families can meet student robotics teams and see their machines up close at Brunswick Eruption Saturday, Oct. 17, at North Brunswick Township High School, 98 Raider Road. Doors open at 8 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 8:30. Public admission is free. Bring safety glasses to tour the pit area, where visitors can meet teams and inspect their robots.
The event also collects nonperishable, unexpired food in unbreakable containers for the North Brunswick food pantry. Thirty-three teams are expected for the competition. Organizations interested in supporting the Raider Robotix program can contact fundraiser@raiderrobotix.org about sponsorships and donations. Direct event questions to Karen Ramsden-Zahler at karen@zahler.com or 908-902-8548. raiderrobotix.org
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Build a robot arm and circuit game. Children ages 9 to 17 can build two projects at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. A wooden robo-arm extending grabber workshop meets Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. A steady-hand game workshop meets Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m., with participants constructing a circuit that lights up when their hand is not steady.
Both programs admit participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are available at the Youth Services Desk beginning 30 minutes before each workshop, at 4:30 p.m. monroetwplibrary.org
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Family watercolor session. Families of all ages can take part in Watercolor Wind-down Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. The session offers watercolor free painting rather than an assigned project. Space is limited, and admission is first come, first served. Numbers are available at the Youth Services Desk beginning 30 minutes before the program, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is not required. monroetwplibrary.org
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Dungeons and Dragons for beginners. Children ages 10 to 12 can play Dungeons and Dragons Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. Participants create characters and work together in a storytelling game built around adventures and challenges. Previous experience with Dungeons and Dragons is not required. Registration is required through the library for this session. monroetwplibrary.org
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Beginner ukulele class. Children ages 10 to 13 can learn introductory ukulele skills Saturday, Nov. 28, at 2:30 p.m. at Monroe Township Public Library, 4 Municipal Plaza. The class is designed to help beginners get started playing the instrument. Space is limited, and advance registration is required online or at the Youth Services Desk. Direct questions about class arrangements to the library at 732-521-5000. monroetwplibrary.org
