It’s that holiday time of year again and, as the letter below suggests, people have events planned — lots of them. And almost all of you are invited to most all of them.
For U.S. 1’s events editor, Lynn Miller, that means a flood of event submissions that makes pretty much every day like Black Friday for retailers. Busy, very busy. Despite that flood of submissions, however, we still hear from people unsure of how to submit a listing.
It’s simple. Just E-mail the pertinent information to events@princetoninfo.com. Attach a photo if you like. Be sure to include a way for us to respond to you if we need more information or some clarification. Your one E-mail will get your event into U.S. 1, and into any of our sister publications that are appropriate. And that E-mail will also generate an online listing at www.princetoninfo.com.
To the Editor:
#b#40 Years of Light#/b#
Everyone who drives to and from Princeton during the holiday season is greeted with a radiant light that shines so brightly against the nighttime sky; the word of its presence and message has spread both near and far, all the way to the White House. The tradition, which began as a simple strand of a few hundred lights wrapped around a small spruce tree, has now developed into several thousand lights intricately wound around the branches of a Blue Norwegian spruce nearly 30 feet tall.
The true meaning of the Lewis School’s Tree of Light has inspired people all over the world. Students explain that each light shines as symbols of hope and encouragement for learning different persons like themselves. They point out that the tree is not a Christmas tree; it has no star or decorations. It only has lights that shine for the more than 30 million Americans struggling with learning and literacy — “whose gifts have never been recognized; those who have been left behind.
The Lewis School of Princeton will host its 40th annual Tree of Light Celebration on Friday, December 6, at 6:30 p.m. at 53 Bayard Lane. Please visit www.lewisschool.org for more details.
Attendees can expect delicious gourmet foods and beverages, a holiday concert, student poetry readings, live musical entertainment, a silent auction, and of course, the tree lighting. The event is free and open to the public. All proceeds will benefit the Lewis School’s annual fund.
Each year our students, facultym, and parents strive to raise greater awareness of those students who have not yet found the educational opportunity they need to realize their potential and fulfill their dreams. The Tree of Light is a celebration to be shared by all who care enough to want to affect change for the better in our world — especially in the lives of children who are our future.
Cathy Byers Reimer
Director of Public Relations
The Lewis School of Princeton
#b#AARP Vs. PSE&G#/b#
The PSE&G $3.9 billion utility rate hike proposal is based on the argument that they need to upgrade infrastructure to avoid the problems caused by the next big storm. AARP opposes the proposal not only because many people cannot afford to pay more, but because of the rather curious and precedent-setting process they propose.
PSE&G already has a statutory duty to provide safe, adequate and reliable service as a condition of its licensed monopoly. What they are proposing is that the Board of Public Utilities authorize the massive increase in rates before the company does the work-before it has shown what work will be performed, whether the expenditures are necessary and reasonable, which customers will benefit, and without opening the company books to show that they are not exceeding reasonable profits.
PSE&G should make whatever repairs or replacements that are necessary now to meet its current legal obligations. Then and only then the BPU should fulfill its regulatory responsibilities to examine the expenses and the rates to determine if a rate increase is justified. That is the process that has been in place for all utilities in all states over the past 100 years.
PSE&G has no business refusing to upgrade its facilities because they want all the money up front. They need to get to work now.
Ravindra Kumar
Kendall Park, AARP New Jersey
#b#Best Walk Ever#/b#
I would like to thank the many residents of Mercer County and members of the greater Central Jersey community who supported our Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on October 13 at ETS. With over 3,000 people in attendance, this year’s walk was our best yet.
Currently, over half a million people in New Jersey are living with Alzheimer’s disease or are caring for someone with dementia, and that number is expected to increase. The money we raise is used to fund research and support vital programs and services for Alzheimer’s disease individuals and families.
Community participation and support are vital to what we do as an organization and this event counts on contributions from individuals, families, businesses, social clubs, and student organizations. We are deeply grateful for the support of ETS in once again hosting this Walk. We also wish to thank and acknowledge all of our volunteers for their tireless work. We are united with New Jersey in our vision to one day see a world without Alzheimer’s disease.
Kenneth C. Zaentz
Interim president and CEO,
Alzheimer’s Association
196 Princeton-Hightstown Road
#b#Senior Benefit#/b#
The Capitol Steps singing group left the audience rolling in the aisles with laughter in a benefit for Princeton Senior Resource Center’s (PSRC) annual gala on November 23. The evening brought together supporters and introduced new people to the work PSRC does in the community.
We are grateful for the support from Ellen and Albert Stark, Archer & Greiner, Team Toyota of Princeton, Stark and Stark, Merrill Lynch, our annual sponsors, AARP, Acorn Glen, Buckingham Palace, Greenwood House, Memory Care Living, Merwick Care Center, and many other companies and individuals.
PSRC will continue to provide and grow services for older adults who are living longer, healthier, and more active lives than any generation before them.
Rebecca Esmi & Michael Kenny
Event co-chairs
