8-6 All Pages by Community News Service

Opportunities: Auditions

Bucks County Playhouse has announced auditions for “We Are The Tigers,” a darkly funny, highenergy musical murder mystery featuring a fierce cheerleading squad, teen drama, and a killer twist. “We Are The Tigers” is presented by the Playhouse Institute Conservatory at Bucks County Playhouse. This program is for high school students who want to take their skills to the next level, offering advanced training that culminates in a fully staged production at Lambertville Hall.

Auditions for students in grades 9 through 12 will be held on Sunday, August 10, from noon to 3 p.m., with callbacks scheduled for Monday, August 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. Rehearsals begin August 17 and continue through October 16, with tech rehearsals October 19 through 23. The production will run for six performances between October 24 and November 2 at Lambertville Hall in Lambertville.

U.S. 1 WELCOMES letters to the editor, corrections, and criticisms of our stories and columns. E-mail your thoughts directly to our editor: hastings@princetoninfo. com. For

Accepted students for the production will be enrolled in the Fall Conservatory program. Tuition is $1,400 and includes more than 60 hours of professional rehearsal, unlimited access to Bucks County Playhouse Education fall classes, workshops, talkbacks, and enrichment activities tied to the Playhouse’s mainstage productions of “She Loves Me” and “The Rocky Horror Show.” In addition, stu-

dents will experience workshop time that allows them to explore scenic design, costumes, lighting, and other production elements. Financial assistance is available and strongly encouraged for families who need it.

To sign up for auditions or request materials, students should email bcpedu@buckscountyplayhouse.org. The audition packet includes sides, song selections, and detailed instructions. Headshots and résumés are requested.

Calls for Volunteers

The teens at Princeton Learning Cooperative are always looking for interesting, dedicated people willing to share their knowledge and skills. Generally a onehour-a-week commitment, PLC volunteers tutor one-on-one, lead small-group classes, or offer a one-time workshop on various topics. Volunteers can teach remotely if the subject does not require hands-on work.

Volunteers are sought for the following topics. In particularly high demand are math tutors (all levels); film appreciation and analysis; hands on science; animal science; political science; and outdoor survival skills.

Also wanted are volunteers for writing; test prep; internet slang; song writing; Latin; American Sign Language; neuroscience and psychology; physiology through clinical case studies;sociology; beginner coding via video games; and photography.

For more information, visit PLC’s Volunteer page at princetonlearningcooperative.org or be in touch with Pan at pan@princetonlearningcooperative.org, 609-8512522.

The Mercer County AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program is seeking volunteers to prepare federal and state tax returns.

Mercer Tax-Aide volunteers prepare tax returns in Princeton, West Windsor, Hopewell Township, Pennington, Lawrence, Hamilton, Robbinsville, as well as in Plainsboro.

New volunteers attend training classes in November, December and January. IRS certification is part of the training program. Tax preparation begins in February.

All levels and types of experience are welcome. AARP membership is not required. New volunteers will work with a small group of well-trained veteran volunteers.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers prepare millions of tax returns across the country each year. Taxpayers of any age can take advantage this free service.

To learn more about the program and sign up, visit www.aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-2277669.

Call for Blood Donors

New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) is kicking off its fourth annual “Pint for a Pint” campaign to encourage blood donations during the critical summer months. Through Sunday, August 31, all adults ages 21 and older who come to donate at NJBS mobile blood drives or donor centers will receive a voucher for a free beverage or frozen treat at a participating local brewery, pub, or frozen treat shop. Since its launch in 2022, the “Pint for a Pint” campaign has doubled in size, with more than 50 breweries, pubs, and frozen treat shops across the region coming together to support the critical need

for blood donations. This year’s full list of participating establishments can be found online at www. nybc.org/pint.

Following a sharp drop in donations over the 4th of July holiday, the region’s supply of O- and O+ blood is currently at a critical 1-2 day level, and overall collections are nearly 25 percent below the level needed to meet hospital demands. Summer has brought an expected decline in donations, driven by vacations and school breaks, but combined with increased trauma cases, the impact on the local blood supply has been severe.

Type O-negative is the universal blood type used when seconds matter and a patient’s blood type is unknown. Type O-positive, the most common type, is in constant demand for surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatments, and daily medical care.

“Every pint counts, especially in the summer, and we are so grateful to these local establishments for coming together to support the critical need for blood donations in the summertime,” said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at New Jersey Blood Services. “We hope this fun incentive will inspire returning and first-time donors to donate blood and enjoy a refreshing beverage or frozen treat on us. Blood donations are needed now more than ever.”

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-9332566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time.

SURVIVAL GUIDE

Saturday, August 9 East Trenton Collaborative to Host Environmental Justice Event

The East Trenton Collaborative, in partnership with Isles Inc., Lead-Free NJ, Urban Promise Trenton, WE ACT, and the South Ward Environmental Alliance, host “Environmental Justice: Storytelling for

Call for Art

The Monmouth County Park System is seeking entries into its upcoming Botanical Musings Exhibit. Held from September 26 through November 14 at the Gallery in the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft, this exhibit will feature artwork inspired by the beauty and complexities of plant life. Entries are open to both realistic renderings as well as conceptual interpretation of plant forms. All mediums are welcome. Additional information and entry form are available on “The Gallery at Thompson Park” page at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Entry deadline is Friday, August 22.

To learn more about the exhibit, the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, or the Park System, please visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.

Call for Art Supplies

West Windsor Arts is hosting a unique thrift-style art supply sale on Saturday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring new and gently used art materials. The sale, called Eco-Art Exchange: Thrift, Create, Repeat!, encourages sustainability, nurtures creativity and boosts community. It’s also just a lot of fun to see what you might find.

“This sale really aligns with the mission of West Windsor Arts — that art is for everyone,” says Raina Pahade, who is organizing the event for the arts center. “Art supplies can be very expensive, especially high-quality, durable ones. This makes it hard for many people to pursue their artistic interests. Cost can be a big barrier to making art.”

West Windsor Arts is inviting artists, students, educators and anyone interested in creating art to stop by the arts center and browse an array of materials — from paints and brushes to paper, fabric, tools and more. Items are not priced. “You pay what you wish,” adds Pahade.

“What I love most about this event is that it encourages sustainability as well as inclusivity. We’ll have a scale there, so people can see not only how much money they’re saving, but also how many pounds of materials

Shereyl Snider, community organizer with the East Trenton Collaborative and Lead Advocate for Trenton’s Lead-FreeNJ community hub runs a workshop about environmental justice.

Systems Change,” a community listen and learn session designed to center environmental justice stories and create pathways for meaningful change on Saturday, August 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Isles Social Profit Center, at 1 North Johnston Avenue, Hamilton. Community members can register for the free event by visiting tinyurl.com/ ETClistenandlearn.

“Our children are our future, and we must do everything possible to ensure they have a fair chance at success,” said Shereyl Snider, community organizer with the East Trenton Collaborative and Lead Advocate for Trenton’s Lead-FreeNJ community hub. “Expo-

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West Windsor Arts accepts donations for its Eco-Art Exchange on Saturday, August 9.

they’ve diverted from the landfill. That was something we did last year, when we hosted the event with a partner organization, Propagate Studio in Stewartsville, NJ. It was such a hit last year, as well as the ‘pay-as-youwish’ option, that we brought them back.”

The arts center is seeking donations of new or gently used items for the sale. Donations will be accepted on Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Donors are asked to bring clean, usable supplies in categories including paints (oil, acrylic, gouache, watercolor), drawing tools, calligraphy inks, brushes, sketchbooks, easels and craft materials, while excluding broken, heavily used, toxic or damaged items.

“You may come across a new product or material you hadn’t thought of using, and it sparks something within you. Most importantly, it makes otherwise expensive materials affordable to all,” Pahade says.

For more information, or to view a list of suggested items to donate, visit westwindsorarts.org/event/ecoarts-exchange.

2.5x8

PRE VIEW

DAY-BY-DAY EVENTS, AUGUST 6 TO 13

Event Listings: E-mail events@princetoninfo.com

While many venues have returned to hosting in-person events, others are still taking place online. Event descriptions specify if an event is being held virtually or in a hybrid format. To include your virtual or in-person event in this section email events@princetoninfo.com.

Wednesday August 6

Outdoor Concerts

Concerts on the Landing, Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. www.nj.gov/state/ memorial. Rob Silvers - 80s Undercover performs a free lunchtime concert on the steps of the War Memorial. Concert moves inside in case of inclement weather. Noon to 2 p.m.

Film

Hollywood Summer Nights, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. Heat. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Dancing

Contra Dance Princeton Country Dancers, Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Sunny Lawrence with Princeton Pickup Band (PUB). $15. 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Good Causes

Ten Crucial Days of the American Revolution, Kiwanis Club of Trenton, Leonardo’s II, 2021 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrence. Leonardo’s II, 2021 Brunswick Avenue, Lawrence. In December 1776, a mere six months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George Washington and the American Army faced disaster and defeat. In ten crucial days during December 1776 and January 1777, however, Washington and his soldiers changed the course of history. Roger S. Williams, State Historian for the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, explains how. Register to 609-208-9991 or mccormicknj@aol.com. $20 at the door for lunch off the menu. 12:15 p.m.

Wellness

Yoga in the Garden, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.morven. org. All-level donation-based Vinyasa yoga class held outdoors in the garden (indoors in case of rain). Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water bottle. Register. 6 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Wonders of Mountain Lakes Scavenger Hunt, Friends of

Opera On Tap

New Jersey Lyric Opera returns to Kelsey Theatre for the Summer Opera Festival, with Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ on Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8, and the Puccini classic ‘La Boheme,’ pictured above, on Saturday and Sunday, August 9 and 10.

Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos. org/events-programs. Adventure led by summer interns takes you through the Preserve’s most fascinating natural and restored habitats, from the mysterious Devil’s Cave nestled in a boulder field to the thriving pollinator garden. Register. Free. 10 a.m. to noon. Stewardship Session, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos. org/events-programs. Volunteers work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship team to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal. Register. 1 to 3 p.m.

Socials

Joint Effort Witherspoon-Jackson Community Princeton Safe Streets, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Barbara Hill Day, a special evening of recognition, remembrance, and celebration. Highlights include: Recognition of the NJ Bill establishing Paul Robeson’s birthday as a state holiday; Jim Floyd Memorial Discussion; Chip Fisher Memorial Art Exhibit with exhibiting artists Kirstan Fitzpatrick and Aaron Fisher; Youth Scholarship & Award Presentation. All are welcome to honor community leaders past and present while supporting the next generation. 5 to 7:30 p.m.

tendees may use this open workshop space to draw, write, and develop their own artwork, with an opportunity to receive peer review and feedback from other members if desired. Illustrators, animators, writers, and generalists are all welcome to join and discuss their art and career goals, share learning resources, promote current projects, or find friends and collaborators. Must be 16+ to attend. Free. 7 to 9 p.m.

Sports

Trenton Thunder Arm & Hammer Park, Route 29, Trenton, 609-394-3300. www.trentonthunder.com. Frederick Keys. $12. 7 p.m.

Thursday August 7

Outdoor Concerts

Music in the Park, Lawrenceville Main Street, Weeden Park, Lawrenceville. www.lawrencevillemainstreet.com. Concert, food for sale, games and activities for kids, and more. The Rebound performs. 6 to 9 p.m. Dueling Pianos Palmer Square Green, Princeton. www.palmersquare.com. All-request, interactive dueling piano show performed by the Flying Ivories. 6 to 8 p.m.

On Stage

Summer Opera Festival, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.org. New Jersey Lyric Opera presents “Carmen,” Bizet’s story of unstoppable passion and sizzling drama

with alluring melodies including the famous Habanera. In French with English subtitles. $26.50. 7:30 p.m.

Film

Hollywood Summer Nights, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. North by Northwest. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Movies Under the Stars City of Trenton, George Page Park, Trenton. www.trentonnj.org. Screening of “Piece by Piece.” 8 p.m.

Farm Markets

Princeton Farmers Market, Princeton Public Library, Hinds Plaza, 55 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, 609-924-9529. www. princetonfarmersmarket.com.

More than 30 vendors including local organic produce, pasture raised meat and eggs, farmstead cheeses, fresh baked goods, empanadas, all-natural dog and cat treats, homemade jam, oldworld style pickles, fresh flowers, handcrafted jewelry, knife sharpening, and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wellness

Sound Bath Meditation Lawrence Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, 609-8838292. www.mcl.org. Experience rest and relaxation with a transformative sound bath, featuring the resonant tones of crystal singing bowls. This meditative session offers a soothing space to unwind, harmonize your mind and body, and immerse yourself in the healing vibrations of these exquisite instruments. Led by wellness consultant Stephanie Whitford. Register. Free. 6 p.m.

For Families

Picnic on the Lawn + Family Movie Night, Princeton University Art Museum, Little/Edwards Courtyard, Princeton University. artmuseum.princeton.edu. BYO blanket and join for an evening of summertime family fun including BBQ, live music, and family activities. Stay after sunset for a screening of Moana (2016) at 8 p.m. Free. 6 p.m.

Lectures

Thursday Night Nature, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA. www.bhwp.org. Lecture series held via Zoom. Topic is “The Mojave Desert Seed Bank: supporting a diverse ecosystem into the future” with Patrick Emblidge. Register. $15. 7 to 8 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Stewardship Session, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos. org/events-programs. Volunteers work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship team to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal. Register. 9 to 11 a.m.

Trenton Walks!, 319 East State Street, Trenton. gmtma.org/trailhappenings. 1.7-mile walk travels from the front steps of Trenton City Hall to Capital Park next to the NJ State House via the Assunpink Greenway and Mill Hill Park. Learn how the Trenton Downtown Improvement District and the Special Improvement District are enhancing Trenton’s Downtown. Co-leading this walk are Thomas Rust, executive director of the Trenton Downtown Association, Jacque Howard, media guru at Trenton365, and Tim Brill, Central Jersey project manager for the N.J. Conservation Foundation. Noon.

Socials

ART OF Terrariums, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www. artscouncilofprinceton.org. Hands-on, creative workshop to learn the art and science of building your own miniature ecosystem guided by Cindy Olentine of Sprouts. Participants explore design techniques, plant care tips, and the calming, meditative process of terrarium-making. Register. $75. 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Sports

Trenton Thunder, Arm & Hammer Park, Route 29, Trenton, 609-394-3300. www.trentonthunder.com. Frederick Keys. $12. 7 p.m. Friday August 8

Heart Festival Returns to New Brunswick

State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick Cultural Center, and New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), and the Arts Institute of Middlesex County present the 6th Annual New Brunswick Heart Festival on Saturday, August 9, from 2 to 6 p.m. in Monument Square on Livingston Avenue.

This free family-friendly festival celebrates the vibrant arts and history of New Brunswick and Middlesex County, featuring live music and dance performances; free dance classes for kids; food, craft, and art vendors; arts and crafts for kids; free face painting, Henna, caricatures, and balloon animals; and more.

Before the New Brunswick Heart Festival begins, State Theatre presents a 1 p.m. performance inside the theater of “LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show.” This groundbreaking 70-minute production for all ages redefines the boundaries of technology and entertainment, blending breathtaking acrobatics with the latest advancements in visual technology. LUMIA showcases an array of holograms, interactive lasers, LED technology, light suits, and even robots that transform the stage into a vibrant canvas of light and movement. Tickets for “LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show” are $39 to $62 and can be purchased at STNJ. org.

by Barbara Lin Band. Light fare, wine, and wine slushies available. 5 to 8 p.m.

Carmen Marrenco & Bud Belvisio, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609737-4465. www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Rock/blues/ folk. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

El Ka Bong, Cooper’s Riverview, 50 Riverview Plaza, Trenton, 609393-7300. www.coopersnj.com. With DJ John Rossi. Reservations recommended. 8 p.m.

Outdoor Concerts

Summer Concert Series, City of Trenton, Agabiti Square, Roebling & Emery avenues, Trenton. www.trentonnj.org. Performance by KY3. Refreshments and ice cream available. 5 p.m.

Summer Concert Series, Princeton Shopping Center, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. www. princetonshoppingcenter.com. Live music in the courtyard by local bands and a pop-up beer garden from Triumph Brewery. Free. 6 to 8 p.m.

Big Hix & Tennessee Whiskey, Mercer County 2025 Summer Concert Series, Mercer County Festival Grounds, Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. www.mercercounty.org. Chris Stapleton tribute. $5 entrance fee. Free parking. Food and drinks available for purchase. No outside food or drink permitted except sealed water bottles. 6:30 p.m.

On Stage

Summer Opera Festival Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.org. New Jersey Lyric Opera presents “Carmen,” Bizet’s story of unstoppable passion and sizzling drama with alluring melodies including the famous Habanera. In French with English subtitles. $26.50. 7:30 p.m.

Man of La Mancha, Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www.musicmountaintheatre.org. Cervantes is in prison awaiting trial during the Spanish Inquisition. He and his fellow prisoners perform a play-within-a-play, telling the story of the elderly Alonso Quijana, who

This year’s New Brunswick Heart Festival lineup on the outdoor stage on Livingston Avenue includes the headline band, the Discoteks, performing disco and Motown hits; Afro-Peruvian music and dance by Socabón Peru Cultural Association; celebrated tap dancer Omar Edwards; the New Brunswick Brass; dance performances by InSpira Performing Arts & Cultural Center and Grupo de Danza Folklórica La Sagrada Familia; beats by DJ IZM; a performance by George Street Playhouse; National ACT-SO Bronze Medalist and singer Myles Cherette; and a set by the winner of this year’s State Theatre Jersey Talent show, pianist, Elias Nicozisis.

Additionally, Amy Garcia Phillips and the Contento Dancers lead a hustle dance class.

Other events at the New Brunswick HEART Festival include a health & wellness area with Garden of Healing; and a history area featuring historical interpreters by the Arts Institute of Middlesex County’s East Jersey Old Town Village and Cornelius Low House.

Additional activities include free face painting, balloon animals, Henna, and caricature; free arts and crafts with Dibble and Dabble; button-making with the New Brunswick Free Public Library; Japanese black ink drawing with the Highland Park Arts Commission; and chalk art with Sharpened Mindz.

Also featured at the festival are

renames himself “Don Quixote” and goes on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. $35. 8 p.m. Curtains Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, 908-369-7469. www.svptheatre.org. Musical comedy whodunit is set in the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959 when Boston’s Colonial Theatre is playing host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage, the entire cast and crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan. $24. 8 p.m.

Family Theater

Disney’s Moana Jr., Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www. musicmountaintheatre.org. Join Little Red Riding Hood on her journey to Granny’s house. Along the way she meets some of your favorite characters all while avoiding the Big Bad Wolf. $13. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Free Friday Shows Trenton Circus Squad, Trenton Circus Squad Factory, 675 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton. www.trentoncircussquad.org. Cotton candy, snow cones, and popcorn available for purchase. Proceeds help keep program free for all youth. 1 p.m.

Film

The Art of Storytelling - Graffiti, Passage Theater, Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. www.passagetheatre. org. Cult film screening and art exhibit celebrating the intersection of storytelling and graffiti art, particularly in the context of Trenton. The event includes a screening of a graffiti film, an art exhibit curated by Buck Malvo, and a meet and greet. The film, originally released in 2005, showcases the work of legendary graffiti artists and offers a glimpse into the world of street art. $10. 8 p.m.

Dancing

Dancing Under the Stars, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www. princetonlibrary.org. Members of Central Jersey Dance demonstrate basic steps and lead others

Above, a performance ‘LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show’ at the State Theater precedes the start of the New Brunswick Heart Festival. Right, tap dancer Omar Edwards is among the performers at the free festival.

free dance classes for kids hosted by Princeton Ballet School including Beginning Dance for ages 4 to 8 at 4 p.m. and Contemporary for ages 9 to 16 at 5 p.m. Attendees can also tour Princeton Ballet School’s studios at the state-of-the-art New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. PBS staff will be available throughout the festival to share school information, schedules, and registration details. Guests can also

enter a special drawing to win free tickets to an American Repertory Ballet performance coming to NBPAC this fall.

6th Annual New Brunswick Heart Festival, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Saturday, August 9, 2 to 6 p.m. www.stnj.org/eventstickets/special-events/newbrunswick-heart-festival

Lambertville’s Cross Pollination Gallery hosts an opening reception on Saturday, August 9, for ‘Painted Visions,’ an exhibit of paintings by William Hogan, and ‘Earthen Forms,’ an exhibit of ceramic sculpture by his wife, Susan Hogan. The shows are on view through August 21. Pictured above is William Hogan’s ‘Magritte’s Pipe Dreams.’

in an evening of dancing to recorded music of all kinds on Hinds Plaza, weather permitting; or Community Room. 7 to 10 p.m.

Friday Night Folk Dance, Princeton Folk Dance, Suzanne Patterson Center, 45 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.princetonfolkdance.org. Lesson followed by open dancing. No partner necessary. $10. 8 p.m.

Farm Markets

Farm Market, Blue Moon Acres, 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington, 609-737-8333. bluemoonacres.net. Selection of Blue Moongrown Certified Organic produce, micro greens, eggs, rice, Herbari-

um body care products made with herbs grown on the farm, as well as an array of products from other local vendors. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wellness

Nature Therapy Walk: A Shinrinyoku Experience, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, 1635 River Road, New Hope, PA. www. bhwp.org. Inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing and led by Sharon Lohse. Register. $35. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

History

All Stars: Black Baseball in New Jersey and Beyond, Stoutsburg

Sourland African American Museum, 183 Hollow Road, Skillman. www.ssaamuseum.org. Opening reception for new exhibit that highlights the stories, struggles, and triumphs of African American baseball players who shaped the game against the backdrop of segregation and exclusion. The exhibit includes never-before-seen letters from Paul “Beetle” Arnold of Pennington, a standout player in the Negro Leagues. Reception also includes premiere of an original short film featuring the oral histories of community members who knew Arnold, Brooklyn Dodgers star Roy

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January 3

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Campanella, and other local baseball legends. 6:30 p.m.

Sports

Trenton Thunder, Arm & Hammer Park, Route 29, Trenton, 609-394-3300. www.trentonthunder.com. Frederick Keys. $12. 7 p.m.

Saturday August 9

Live Music

Weekend Music Series, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www. terhuneorchards.com. Live music from 1 to 4 p.m. by Chris P. Lunch fare, homemade treats, ice cream, and wine by the glass available. Noon to 5 p.m.

Rob Silvers Duo & Robert Ruffis Experience Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-737-4465. www. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com.

Rock/pop country/blues at 1 and R&B/jazz at 5:30 p.m. 1 to 8:30 p.m.

Jersey Surecats, Working Dog Winery, 610 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, 609-3716000. www.workingdogwinerynj. com. Live music and food truck by Beach Shack. 1 to 5 p.m.

Outdoor Concerts

Summer Music Series Palmer Square Green, Princeton. www. palmersquare.com. Q’City Yokels performs. 1 to 3 p.m.

Summer Music & More, West Windsor Arts, Nassau Park Pavilion, 510 Nassau Park Boulevard, West Windsor. www.westwindsorarts.org. Opening band: Dan Kassel and Friends, featuring Johnny Zarfati. Swara is a multigenre Indian American band that plays Indian film music and fuses Indian classical structures with other contemporary genres including Jazz, Rock, RnB, etc. Finale of a free, family-friendly summer concert series celebrating local music and art. Hands-on art activities for all ages and an outdoor setting perfect for a picnic. 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Music in the Alley Halo Pub, 9 Hulfish Street, Princeton, 609921-1710. www.halofarm.com. 6 to 9 p.m.

Art

Artist Talks Artworks Trenton 19 Everett Alley, Trenton, 609-

394-9436. www.artworkstrenton.

org. First, hear from artists Marzena Haupa and Magda Dodd as they discuss their shared exhibition, “The World We Share.” Theyl talk about their creative process and the themes behind their work. Following their talk, Beatricia Sagar presents on her ongoing project “We Are All Connected.” This community-based, international art initiative began during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since brought together artists from around the world. Sagar shares how the project started, how it grew, and what it continues to represent today. Free; no registration required. Noon to 2 p.m.

Time of Day(s) Artists’ Gallery 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville. www.lambertvillearts.com. Opening reception for exhibit featuring new paintings by Laura Rutherford Renner and Alla Podolsky. On view through August 31. 4 to 6 p.m.

Painted Visions and Earthen Forms, Cross Pollination Gallery, 69 Bridge Street, Lambertville. www.crosspollinationgallery. com. Opening reception for exhibit of paintings by William Hogan and ceramic sculpture by Susan Hogan. The husband and wife artists are based in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. On view through August 21. 5 to 8 p.m.

On Stage

LUMIA: A Futuristic Cirque Show, State Theater New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. www.stnj.org. Show blends acrobatics with an array of holograms, interactive lasers, LED technology, light suits, and even robots that transform the stage into a vibrant canvas of light and movement. $39 to $62. 1 p.m.

Summer Opera Festival, Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.org.

New Jersey Lyric Opera presents Puccini’s “La Boheme,” opera’s great love story set in Paris. In Italian with English subtitles. $26.50. 2 p.m.

“Macbeth” - A Staged Reading Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.princetonlibrary.org. From the mists of the Scottish moors to the bloodstained throne of Dunsinane, the tale of Macbeth will unfold as local actors stage an unabridged reading of William Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. 2 p.m.

Man of La Mancha Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www.musicmountaintheatre.org. Cervantes is in prison awaiting trial during the Spanish Inquisition. He and his fellow prisoners perform a play-within-a-play, telling the story of the elderly Alonso Quijana, who

SSAAM Exhibit Goes Deep on Black Baseball in New Jersey

It’s the middle of summer, which means that baseball season is in full swing — at the ballpark and beyond. The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) in Skillman gets into the action with its newest exhibit, “All Stars: Black Baseball in New Jersey and Beyond,” which opens with a special reception on Friday, August 8.

The installation, developed with support from the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees’ Double-A affiliate, highlights the stories, struggles, and triumphs of African American baseball players who shaped the game against the backdrop of segregation and exclusion.

The exhibit includes never-before-seen letters from Paul “Beetle” Arnold, a standout player in the Negro Leagues, that inspired the exhibit when they were discovered by an area resident a few years ago. Born in Hopewell in 1903, Arnold was active in the Negro Leagues from 1926 to 1936, playing left and center fields for teams including the Hilldale Club, Brooklyn Royal Giants, New York Lincoln Giants, Newark Browns, Newark Dodgers, and New York Cubans. He was selected to the league’s all-star team in 1935. He died in his hometown in 1979 at the age of 75.

At the opening reception, SSAAM will also premiere an original short film by curators and historian Isabela Morales featuring the oral histories of community members who knew Arnold, Brooklyn Dodgers star Roy Campanella — who spent nearly a decade playing in the Negro Leagues before making his Major League debut in 1948 — and other local baseball legends.

Through personal artifacts, photographs, and first-hand accounts, “All Stars” explores the rich legacy of Black baseball in

renames himself “Don Quixote” and goes on a quest to right all wrongs in the world. $35. 3 and 8 p.m.

Summer Opera Festival Night Gala Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.org. A live performance immersive with a cinematic backdrop featuring live on stage performances including opera favorites paired with rare opera gems. With English subtitles. $26.50 7 p.m.

Staged Play Reading Villagers Theatre, 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset. www.villagerstheatre.com. Staged reading of Annie Raczko’s new play, “Hunger,” set in an inpatient eating disorder facility, where women in various states of recovery come together to discover how to love themselves. Play is loosely based on the playwright’s personal story, as well as the collected stories of brave women in the playwright’s life, who shared their experiences which were then turned into monologues for the characters. Free; $5 suggested donation. 7 to 9 p.m.

Curtains Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, 908-369-7469. www.svptheatre.org. Musical comedy whodunit is set in the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959 when Boston’s Colonial Theatre is playing host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage, the entire cast and crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan. $24. 8 p.m.

Family Theater

Disney’s Moana Jr., Music Mountain Theater, 1483 State Route 179, Lambertville. www.

New Jersey’s Negro Leagues stars, including the Pennington All Stars, above, and Paul Arnold, right, are the focus of a new exhibit at opening Friday, August 8, at the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum.

New Jersey and beyond. It honors the Black ballplayers who built their own leagues, followed their own paths, and challenged the norms of America’s pastime with both skill and spirit.

“There was a different kind of baseball,” says Patricia Payne, SSAAM Board member and lifelong baseball fan. “Part of that would be base-stealing and speed of the game that showed off their talent. Unfortunately, this talent was never allowed to fully participate in the major leagues.”

The public is invited to join the celebration at the opening reception on Friday, August 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 183 Hollow

musicmountaintheatre.org. Join Little Red Riding Hood on her journey to Granny’s house. Along the way she meets some of your favorite characters all while avoiding the Big Bad Wolf. $13. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Film

Quiz Show Plus Discussion ACME Screening Room, 25 South Union Street, Lambertville. www. acmescreeningroom.org. Queens-born Herbie Stempel (John Turturro) becomes an unlikely hero after winning on America’s beloved game show, “Twenty One.” When the network decides to bring in a more telegenic contestant, the WASP-ish Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), Stempel takes aim at the show, announcing that the game is rigged. Congressional investigator Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow) is brought in to examine the claim that winners were given the answers. Goodwin wrote the book on which this true story is based. Q&A after the film with casting director Karen Etcoff, who worked on the film with Robert Redford for 6 months. $17. 5 p.m.

Literati

Poetry Reading Group West Windsor Public Library, 333 North Post Road, West WiIndsor. www.poetryreadinggroup.wordpress.com. Read, share, and discuss the best in classic and contemporary poetry. Free. 2 p.m.

Fairs & Festivals

New Brunswick HEART Festival, Monument Square, 2 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. Free family-friendly festival celebrates all the vibrant arts and history of New Brunswick and Middlesex County, featuring live music and

Road, Skillman. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets, $28.52, are available via EventBrite.

The exhibit is also open for free viewing on Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church at 189 Hollow Road, Skillman. The exhibit will remain on view through June, 2026.

For tickets or more information, visit ssaamuseum.org/allstars-exhibit

dance performances, dance classes for kids and adults, craft vendors more. 2 to 6 p.m.

Farm Markets

Farm Market, Blue Moon Acres, 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington, 609-737-8333. bluemoonacres.net. Selection of Blue Moongrown Certified Organic produce, micro greens, eggs, rice, Herbarium body care products made with herbs grown on the farm, as well as an array of products from other local vendors. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pennington Farmers Market, Rosedale Mills, 101 Route 31, Pennington. www.penningtonfarmersmarket.org. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and more from local producers. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market, Vaughn Drive Lot, 877 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction. www.wwcfm.org. Up to 50 farms and other vendors on site selling fresh produce, meat, sweets, beer, tea, bread, pickles, and more. Live music and other special events weekly. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Farmers Market Montgomery Friends of Open Space, Montgomery Township Municipal Center, 100 Community Drive, Skillman, 609-915-0817. www.montgomeryfriends.org. Jersey Fresh produce and farm products, baked goods, sauces, fibers, honey, flowers, coffee, and music. Rain or shine. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

History

All Stars: Black Baseball in New Jersey and Beyond, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, Mt. Zion AME Church, 189 Hollow Road, Skillman. www. ssaamuseum.org. Free viewing hours for new exhibit that highlights the stories, struggles, and

triumphs of African American baseball players who shaped the game against the backdrop of segregation and exclusion. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

History/Nature Hike at Institute

Woods, Historical Society of Princeton, Princeton Battlefield Parking Lot, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. www.princetonhistory. org. Hike through the Institute Woods to explore bits of history, as well as the sites and sounds that form this unique and serene setting. Hear stories about the Woods’ origin and the ways IAS mathematicians, physicists, and other members have engaged with it. Stops along the way will highlight the history of early Stony Brook, the Battle of Princeton, the Old Trolley trail, the establishment of the Institute for Advanced Study, and Founders Rock. Special stop at the Swinging Bridge, then hike over to the observation decks at the adjacent Rogers Wildlife Refuge. Register. $20. 4 to 6 p.m.

Outdoor Action

Saturday Morning Walking Club, Lawrence Hopewell Trail. www. lhtrail.org/walkingclub. Walks are generally 2-3 miles. See the website for the meeting point and other details. Free. 9:30 a.m.

Wonders of Mountain Lakes Scavenger Hunt, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www.fopos. org/events-programs. Adventure led by summer interns takes you through the Preserve’s most fascinating natural and restored habitats, from the mysterious Devil’s Cave nestled in a boulder field to the thriving pollinator garden. Register. Free. 10 a.m. to noon. Princeton Canal Walkers, Turning Basin Park, Alexander Road, Princeton. 3 mile walk on the towpath, weather permitting. Free. Register to canalwalkers@googlegroups.com for notices of weather-related cancellations. 10 a.m.

Sunday August 10

Live Music

Weekend Music Series, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, 609-924-2310. www. terhuneorchards.com. Live music from 1 to 4 p.m. by Barbara Lin Band. Lunch fare, homemade treats, ice cream, and wine by the glass available. Noon to 5 p.m.

Chris Giakas, Working Dog Winery, 610 Windsor Perrineville Road, East Windsor, 609-3716000. www.workingdogwinerynj. com. Live music and food truck by Yooo Cuz. 1 to 5 p.m.

Madison & Mickey, Hopewell Valley Vineyards, 46 Yard Road, Pennington, 609-737-4465. www. hopewellvalleyvineyards.com. Acoustic/soft pop. 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

World Music

Summer Carillon Concerts: Music that Paints the Silence, Princeton University Carillon, 88 College Road West, Princeton, 609-258-7989. Trevor Workman of the United Kingdom. Free. 1 p.m.

On Stage

Summer Opera Festival Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-5703333. www.kelseytheatre.org. New Jersey Lyric Opera presents Puccini’s “La Boheme,” opera’s great love story set in Paris. In Italian with English subtitles. $26.50. 2 p.m.

Curtains, Somerset Valley Players, 689 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, 908-369-7469. www.svptheatre.org. Musical comedy whodunit is set in the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959 when Boston’s Colonial Theatre is playing host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage, the entire cast and crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan. $24. 2 p.m.

Film

Film and Discussion: “The Six”, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton.

www.princetonlibrary.org. A screening of “The Six,” a film chronicling the previously untold story of the six Chinese survivors of RMS Titanic, is followed by a conversation with the film’s researcher Steven Schwankert. 3 p.m.

Wellness

Free Class, Yoga4Sobriety, Plainsboro Municipal Building, 641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro. Yoga4Sobriety.com/schedule. Free 12 step-based yoga class. Beginners welcome; no experience required. Bring a mat and an open mind. No registration required for in-person attendance; visit website for access via Zoom. 9 to 10:15 a.m.

History

Battlefield Tour, Princeton Battlefield Society, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. www.pbs1777. org. Special presentation on “Military actions that led to the Battle of Princeton,” with a tour of the historic Thomas Clarke House & Museum, presented by historian and author Larry Kidder. Register. $10. 1 p.m.

Princeton History Walking Tour, Historical Society of Princeton, Princeton Battle Monument, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www. princetonhistory.org. Walk around downtown Princeton and the University campus as you learn about historic sites in the area, including Nassau Hall, University Chapel and Palmer Square. $20. Register. 2 to 4 p.m.

Lectures

Birds of New Jersey, D&R Greenway Land Trust, Discovery Center at Point Breeze, 101 East Park Street, Bordentown. www. drgreenway.org. Wildlife biologist Harrison Hepding shares his hands-on expertise and extensive birding across the state in his role with the nonprofit Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ. Register. $15. 2 p.m.

Monday August 11

Film

Monday Movie Matinees, Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www. princetonlibrary.org. Films that reflect “Color Our World,” the theme of this year’s Summer Reading program for adults, are screened on Monday afternoons. “Silver

An opening reception takes place Saturday, August 9, at Artists’ Gallery in Lambertville for ‘Time of Day(s),’ an exhibit featuring new paintings by Laura Rutherford Renner and Alla Podolsky. The show remains on view through Sunday, August 31. Pictured are Renner’s ‘Stop and Reflect,’ above left, and Podolskys ‘Alabaster.’

Linings Playbook” (2012, R, 2 hours, 2 minutes): A man who has recovered from a mental collapse is released from a health facility determined to find the silver linings in his life. 2 to 4:15 p.m.

Good Causes

Arm In Arm Mobile Food Pantry, Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville. www.arminarm.org. Food and personal care products made available to those in need. No registration required. The Lawrence Township Health Department, the Mercer County Board of Social Services and the Mercer County Nutrition Program will have informational tables. 2 to 4 p.m.

Tuesday August 12

Art

Painting in the Capital City City of Trenton Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture, Marine Terminal Park, 1500 Lamberton Road, Trenton. www.trentonnj.org/rec. Canvases, paint, and brushes will be provided. Participants will be shown different techniques of mixing and applying colors and textures. 6 to 8 p.m.

Dancing

Tuesday Night Folk Dance, Princeton Folk Dance, Christ Congregation, 50 Walnut Lane, Princeton. www.princetonfolkdance.org. No partner necessary. $5. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Farm Markets

Robbinsville Farmers Market Miry Run Recreation Area, 66 Sharon Road, Robbinsville, 609924-9529. www.robbinsville-twp. org. Fresh local fruits & vegetables and other fresh foods, as well as household, flower, and pet items, plus weekly special events. 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Kids Stuff

Summer Kids Club: The Science of Water Hydrology, MarketFair, 3535 Route 1, West Windsor. www.marketfairshoppes.com. Interactive activities and entertainment for all ages based on a weekly theme. Kids storytime follows at Barnes & Noble. Free; parents must stay. 10 to 11 a.m. Free Tour, Princeton Airport, 41 Airpark Road, Montgomery, 609921-3100. www.princetonairport. com. Fun and educational 30-40 minute tours designed for ages 5 and up to inspire young minds and introduce them to the real people, planes, and possibilities that make flying such an amazing experience. See planes, sit in the pilot’s seat, learn about flying and maintaining planes, ask questions, and take pictures. Canceled in case of bad weather. 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor Storytime, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Shopping Center Courtyard, 301 North Harrison Street, Princeton. www. princetonlibrary.org. This interactive storytime features books, songs, rhymes and movement for kids 18 months and older, accompanied by an adult. Bring a blanket. 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Sports

Trenton Thunder, Arm & Hammer Park, Route 29, Trenton, 609-394-3300. www.trentonthunder.com. Williamsport Crosscutters. $12. 7 p.m.

Wednesday August 13

Outdoor Concerts

Concerts on the Landing Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton. www.nj.gov/state/ memorial. Free lunchtime concert on the steps of the War Memorial. Concert moves inside in case of inclement weather. Noon to 2 p.m.

Continued on following page

Allshapes Bonsai Is Making It Big by Thinking Small

Soon after I began meandering through the 6,000+ square feet of greenhouses and outdoor display benches at Allshapes Bonsai in Ringoes, a feeling of tranquility enveloped me. There’s something about being surrounded by hundreds of carefully tended living works of art that induce a calming sensation. It’s a feeling not unlike the one I’ve experienced during a session of forest bathing; a mindful, guided, meditative walk through a sylvan setting that traces its roots back to Japan. (“Stroll Through a Forest, Leave Stress Behind,” U.S. 1, March 20, 2024)

Simply put, according to Wikipedia and other sources, bonsai is the art and technique of growing and shaping trees in miniature in containers, an art that was developed in China more than 2,000 years ago and, like forest bathing, comes to us via the Japanese, who embraced bonsai 1,300 years later, when Buddhist monks introduced bonsai to Japan following their travels to China.

by George Point

to making bonsai their full-time business. As their interest in and knowledge of bonsai has deepened, they have also become sought-after speakers at garden clubs and participants at the New Jersey Flower Show. In addition, they have conducted bonsai workshops at area high schools as well as on-site at Allshapes Bonsai.

What drew Dave and Diane to focusing solely on bonsai? “We started getting our toe in the water by growing unusual ornamentals, things that people don’t normally see in garden centers, and that’s what we were drawn to,” Dave Hall says.

‘There is an enjoyment in this, there is a serenity in it, there are a lot of lessons about life you can trace back to through this hobby. Because it is about growing, about pruning, about cutting things back, about shaping,’ Dave Hall says.

“Plants have a lot to offer; foliage has so many different colors and textures, and we were attracted to that. We had access to this land, 23 acres that was passed down through my family. We felt that we had to do something with it, and they gave us full rein to go ahead.

ed to do to keep the business going; street fairs, craft shows, advertising in newspapers and on radio, whatever we could do to promote our business. We learned that the best exposure was meeting the public directly through craft shows and the like.

Allshapes Bonsai is run by Dave and Diane Hall, who, in the course of running a plant nursery on the site beginning in 1981, became interested in the growing and care of bonsai. Over time they have segued

“So we did and started getting plants that we enjoyed growing,” he continues. “Most of them were conifers, and Diane was the first one to get interested in bonsai and begin using the plants to create bonsai art. We sold off a lot of the other nursery stock and stayed with bonsai. We did whatever we need-

“We eventually got to the point where we didn’t have to do that,” Dave notes, “and since we’ve focused entirely on bonsai our business has grown exponentially. Not that it was all glorious. There were some lean times, too, times when the economy was rough. When they replaced the bridge down at the end of our road everything just

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stopped for a while.”

Dave notes that the interaction with Allshapes customers is a big part of their continued interest in bonsai. “I think the perks in this business are the people who come in here,” he says. “I can’t say enough about the people who come here; they’re just fabulous. When I talk to people who want to know more about our business, who aren’t afraid to ask questions, I tell them that practically every one of my friends whom I hang with, whom I associate with after hours, all came through the doors of this place.”

How would he describe the typi-

Continued from preceding page

Film

Hollywood Summer Nights, Princeton Garden Theater, 160 Nassau Street, Princeton, 609-279-1999. www.thegardentheatre.com. The Graduate. $13.50. 7 p.m.

Dancing

Contra Dance Princeton Country Dancers, Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. www.princetoncountrydancers.org. Deanna Palumbo with Raise the Roof. $15. 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Health

GLP-1 Medications: What You Need to Know, Mercer County Library. www.mcl. org. Curious about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Monjaro and Zepbound, and whether they might be right for you? Join us in this easy-to-follow session led by Dr. Lisa Dobruskin, Medical Director of the Center for Bariatric Surgery and Metabolic Medicine at Penn Medicine Princeton. Presented as part of the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Program. Register to receive the link to the program. 6:30 p.m.

Wellness

Yoga in the Garden, Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. www.morven.org. All-level donation-based Vinyasa yoga class held outdoors in the garden (indoors in case of rain). Bring a yoga mat, towel, and water bottle. Register. 6 p.m.

History

Notables of New Egypt, New Egypt Historical Society, Plumsted Municipal Building, 121 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Members discuss notable residents of the past, including Elizabeth Lee (creator of cranberry sauce), Emile Burgin (pilot), George F. Fort (governor), and Lila Thompson (legislator). 7 p.m.

cal Allshapes customer?

“Our typical customer is somebody who’s in the hobby, who’s committed to the hobby, and who enjoys what they do as much as we do,” Dave explains. “There is an enjoyment in this, there is a serenity in it, there are a lot of lessons about life you can trace back to through this hobby. Because it is about growing, about pruning, about cutting things back, about shaping. And a lot of that does have to do with life, and when I get engaged in it, these are the things that I think about.”

Hall also says that the serenity of caring for bonsai is one of the things he brings up in the classes

Outdoor Action

Stewardship Session, Friends of Princeton Open Space, Mountain Lakes Preserve, Mountain Avenue, Princeton. www. fopos.org/events-programs. Volunteers work under the guidance of the FOPOS stewardship team to perform ecosystem restoration and invasive species removal. Register. 9 to 11 a.m.

Trenton Walks!, State Park Lot, Bernard Drive, West Trenton. gmtma.org/trail-happenings. A new 2.4-mile Scudder Falls Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath walk leaves from the State Park parking lot off Bernard Drive and travel south to Upper Ferry Road. Led by Avery Lentini, Community Engagement Specialist, External Affairs and Communications, and her team with the Delaware River Basin Commission. Walk includes a side trip to PA using the new Interstate 295 bicycle / pedestrian bridge over the Delaware River. Noon.

Socials

Jersey Art Meetup, Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Princeton Comic Makers presents: JERSEY ART MEETUPS (JAM), a weekly social event connecting creatives within the greater Central Jersey area through a shared passion for sequential art and new media. Attendees may use this open workshop space to draw, write, and develop their own artwork, with an opportunity to receive peer review and feedback from other members if desired. Illustrators, animators, writers, and generalists are all welcome to join and discuss their art and career goals, share learning resources, promote current projects, or find friends and collaborators. Must be 16+ to attend. Free. 7 to 9 p.m.

Sports

Trenton Thunder Arm & Hammer Park Route 29, Trenton, 609-394-3300. www. trentonthunder.com. Williamsport Crosscutters. $12. 7 p.m.

PRE VIEW

that he and Diane hold at Allshapes. “I try to get people to forget about their jobs, what they have to do when they go home,” he says. “Our time in class is limited, and I try to stay on schedule, to make sure that they enjoy their time in class and not think about the things that they’ll have to do after they leave here.

“I think about families, about life in general, and when I give them a task to do I ask them what they’re thinking about,” he continues. “And when they’re focused on their tree, not what’s coming after class, that’s what I like to hear. That’s what I think this hobby is about, to disengage from your life for a while, from the stresses of your job, fighting traffic, raising your kids. I love kids, but sometimes you need to get away from them for a bit, so when you return you can love them more.”

The Allshapes website notes that bonsai classes are usually held from January through May of each year. A day-long bonsai workshop on April 26 ($195) focused on Japanese Juniper, one of the most common plants used in bonsai, and included all the materials needed to create your own bonsai, including a five to eight year old plant and a ceramic pot. Attendees were instructed in wiring techniques to shape their tree, proper planting, and post-care. Subscribe to the Allshapes mailing list to be notified when classes are scheduled.

In addition to classes, Allshapes has a retail shop that offers tools and other supplies needed for bonsai success. “We have just about everything here that a bonsai hobbyist needs,” Dave notes. Some tools, such as pruning shears and pruning saws, appear to be Lilliputian versions of gardening tools. Others are unique to the art of bonsai, like bud shears, branch cutters, combination tweezers/rake, root hooks, wire cutters, and branch benders.

Despite decades of specializing in bonsai, Dave freely admits that

Dave Hall, right, and his wife, Diane, have operated a plant nursery in Ringoes since 1981. Over the years their business has evolved to focus exclusively on bonsai trees, including sales of the plants and associated tools as well as workshops on bonsai art and temporary care for trees whose owners are traveling.

learning about these living sculptures is a lifelong process. “There’s so much to learn about each plant, there’s so much to learn about each style that you’re trying to achieve” he says. “That’s what keeps it enjoyable.

“I’ve shared with a lot of people that I had been a musician, and I’ve always loved learning new songs, and that tells me that I love learning new things,” he continues. “If you love learning new things, if you’re engaged in plants, this is the hobby for you. It’s always changing.

When people want to know what bonsai is like, I tell them that it’s like growing a tree for three years and then cutting off two years worth of growth to make the adjustments and changes that you need in order to create the tree that you’re out to get.”

How does Dave respond when someone who knows nothing about bonsai stops by and asks him how to get started? “I’ll find out what their hobbies are, how much they know about growing plants, whether they’re gardeners, whether they grow plants inside their house,” he says. “I’m a bit of a detective, because I can usually scout out those people who really know about plants versus those people who do it casually. Bonsai is not a casual hobby, and they need to recognize that plants need water, plants need sunlight, plants need fertilizer. Those are going to be my best customers.

“If I have to walk them through what bonsai is about, that’s where I start,” he says. “Because, number one, it’s a plant, and they need to be able to take care of it. Our goal here

is to do our best to make sure that they’re dedicated to keeping it alive. Because if they don’t keep it alive, the enjoyment of shaping it, of turning it into something better, it’s rather meaningless.”

What types of plants work best as bonsai? While noting that many types of plants may be used, Hall did offer some general guidelines. “The traditional things we look for (in a plant) are trees that are very woody,” he notes. “A quality that we look for is plants that work with you, plants that we can cut back and that respond by pushing out new growth afterwards. Because of that we can reduce the size of the plant, because that’s what this hobby is about, about making a plant into a miniature, in a landscape perhaps, or a tree in its own wilderness, growing in a small shallow pot. That’s part of the art of bonsai.”

Hall also notes that he and Diane will, for a fee, care for their customers’ bonsai when they’re away. “We do take in trees,” he says. “We call them boarders. The last customer who came in arrived with 20 trees and was going to be away for a month. It’s a service we have to charge for, but I think it’s a whole lot better than leaving trees in the hands of somebody who’s inexperienced. We’re especially busy in the winter, when it seems like people bring them in by the carload.”

Although Hall says that it’s a small part of their business, Allshapes will provide bonsai for events such as weddings. “There are people who are planning their wedding and looking for some-

thing different, something that expresses the bride and groom’s love of the outdoors,” he explains.

“Most people are very traditional and want bonsai to decorate the tables or as favors for their guests.

“But the one request that stands out the most was for a couple getting married who were avid hikers,” he recalls. “One of their mothers wanted us to add weeds and undergrowth underneath bonsai to replicate a forest setting. We spend part of our day pulling weeds out of our pots, and along comes someone who’s going to pay us to put them back in! We got it done, and the couple was tickled with the result.”

Do Dave and Diane have a personal collection of bonsai? “We used to have a lot more trees that we created over the years, which became very personal,” Dave says.

“Diane and I would celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and we still give one another trees. Over the years we’ve had to sell them off, only because we had too many. We still have our favorite trees, but the size of the collection is smaller than it used to be. They’re here on display, trees that people can take notice of, perhaps when they’re considering purchasing a smaller version and would like to see the full potential of a particular tree.”

Given the serene vibe that permeates the Allshapes greenhouses and the patience and artistry required to be successful with bonsai, I asked Dave Hall if his interest in bonsai has influenced the way he lives his (and Diane’s) life. “A lot of people see me as kind of laid back, and I guess in some ways I am. This hobby is not something you need to get too excited about, and I like it for that reason. It is more relaxing, it is more calming. It is a job that you need to love to do.

“There is no shutting down,” he concludes. “There are a lot of plants here that need to be watered, and during a summer like the one we’re experiencing now, unless we get a deluge of rain, it’s a once a day job, every day. Diane and I run it year ‘round, although we do try to get away for a week. We’re hikers, so we often go to Maine in the fall, to a setting that you might say is a lot like Allshapes Bonsai, but in a more natural way.”

Allshapes Bonsai, 230 Everitt Road, Ringoes. Open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 908-788-1938 or allshapesbonsai.com

Life in the Fast Lane

CHOP Acquires Former AMC Space in Hamilton

Hamilton Township has announced the sale of Sloan Avenue property that was formerly occupied by the AMC movie theater to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

CHOP, in collaboration with Hamilton Township and Mercer County, is in the process of creating plans for the redevelopment of the site.

“Hamilton Township is excited to welcome CHOP to town,” Mayor Jeff Martin said in a statement. “As a parent to a young child, I know the concern of every parent for their child’s health, and having CHOP here in our backyard ensures the children of Hamilton will always have easy access to the best possible medical care. It has been great to partner with Mercer County and CHOP to make this first step a reality, and I am looking forward to our continued partnership through the redevelopment process.”

“Mercer County welcomes the news that a world-renowned healthcare institution like the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is coming to Hamilton Township and Mercer County,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “I was proud to work closely with Mayor Martin and with CHOP to turn an idea into reality and breathe new life into the old AMC site, while bringing good-paying jobs to our

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has acquired the Sloan Avenue space that formerly housed the AMC movie theater.

looking forward to the future of bringing high-quality care, expanded services and improved convenience to the families of Central New Jersey and the broader region. This step underscores our commitment to ensure healthier futures for all children.”

AB&C Acquires Oxford Communications

Aloysius Butler & Clark (AB&C), a Delaware-based full-service marketing communications agency, has announced the acquisition of Oxford Communications, located in Lambertville. The acquisition, terms of

Music Mountain Boulevard. It also has offices in Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia and Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

“Our acquisition of Oxford is a natural progression after a decade of thoughtful decision-making to establish AB&C in New Jersey and become increasingly immersed in its public and private sectors,” said Paul Pomeroy, owner and CEO of AB&C. “As one of the state’s most reputable full-service digital agencies, Oxford offers experience, capabilities and New Jersey insights that will complement our services beautifully. We’re excited to bring our teams together to elevate strategies and results for existing and new clients.”

AB&C, which has more than 100 employees, added nine existing Oxford staff mem-

Edited by Sara Hastings

lence make this the right next chapter for Oxford, our clients and our team.”

Leases Signed in Princeton Forrestal Village

Lincoln Equities Group, the owner and manager of the mixed-use Princeton Forrestal Village property in Plainsboro, has announced the signing of leases for five new tenants.

At 116 Village Boulevard, Bayada Home Health Care signed a 2,060 square-foot lease, and BPJ Holding Corporation signed a 4,200 square-foot lease. Pulte Homes will open a 2,800-square-foot design center at 107 Main Street. Use Ready signed a 1,881 square-foot lease at 155 Village Boulevard. And Anasen Health signed a 4,700 square-foot lease at 120 Main Street.

“We’re seeing strong demand from both new and existing tenants who recognize the unique value Princeton Forrestal Village offers,” said Lance Bergstein, CEO at Lincoln Equities Group. “The campus continues to attract a diverse mix of tenants thanks to its prime location and flexible space options — making it an ideal environment for companies looking to grow or establish a presence in Central New Jersey.”

Additionally, the campus has seen lease renewals totaling more than 50,000 square feet from existing tenants like Regus, Surgical Center, Atyeti, and Touch Associates. This leasing momentum follows a series of recent capital improvements aimed at en hancing the tenant experience, as well as the approval earlier this year of a 394-unit apart ment complex to be built adjacent to the site. For more information, visit www.lincol nequities.com/princeton-forrestal-village.

U.S. 1 ClassifieDs

HOW TO ORDER TRANSPORTATION

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sure to lead toxins is preventable. All we need to do is be proactive instead of reactive and Get The Lead Out of our soil, water, paint, and homes.”

The event aims to address the critical question “How do we break down silos of oppressive systems?” by achieving two primary goals. These are listening, to hear the lived experiences from residents in environmental justice communities; and learning, to create pathways forward for change.

The day-long event will feature:

Community Stories: Real-life testimonials from residents living in environmental justice communities, including presentations by community partners and a featured video story highlighting lead impact in Trenton.

Organizing for Change: Educational sessions on lead contamination in Trenton communities, featuring presentations by Sean Stratton, a PhD candidate at Rutgers whose research focuses on reducing lead exposure in Trenton, on organizing efforts; and Anthony Diaz from the Newark Water Coalition on lead service line replacement initiatives.

Leadership and Action: National environmental justice leader Kim Gaddy will share insights on grassroots organizing and community action strategies.

Messages of Hope: Harrison Watson from Isles will discuss policy developments and next steps for community advocacy efforts.

The event specifically focuses on environmental justice communities, defined as areas composed predominantly of persons of color or substantial proportions of persons below the poverty line who are subjected to disproportionate burdens of environmental hazards and experience significantly reduced quality of life.

The East Trenton Collaborative, which operates out of the East Trenton Community Center, serves as one of only four LeadFreeNJ community hubs in New Jersey, working to educate residents about lead dangers and collaborate on lead contamination removal efforts throughout the Trenton community. The ETC engages partners, supports businesses, and builds the power of residents to make East Trenton a great place to live, work, and play. Isles serves as the lead agency operating the East Trenton Collaborative, providing strategic leadership and administrative support.

Founded in 1981, Isles is a non-profit organization that offers a wide range of interconnected services with a single goal: creating healthy communities and environments

OFFICE RENTALS

free online classifieds

necessary for individuals to grow and thrive. Learn more at www.isles.org and www. east-trenton.org.

Tuesday, August 12

Mercer County Celebrates Election Bard Worker Recruitment Day

Join the Mercer County Board of Elections on Tuesday, August 12, as it hosts is second annual National Election Board Worker Recruitment Day Celebration at 4:30 p.m. at Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing. A program ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m.

The event is an opportunity for those interested in serving as an Election Board Worker in Mercer County for the first time.

The celebration will include speakers, some special presentations, and a voting equipment demonstration, as well as light refreshments and games for children.

“Whether you are considering becoming an Election Board Worker for the very first time, or are considering serving again, our National Election Board Worker Recruitment Day Celebration is a great opportunity to learn more and apply to serve,” says Jill Moyer, Mercer County Board of Elections Chairwoman.

Who are Election Board Workers and What Do They Do? Election Board Workers are citizens who check in voters on election day and set-up voting equipment at polling locations. They are the unsung heroes of elections; because without them, elections would not be possible.

Who is Eligible? To become an Election Board Workers in Mercer County, you need to be: A citizen, ages 18 and over, who is a registered voter in Mercer County, or a student, 16-17 years of age, who is a citizen and resident of Mercer County.

Are You Bilingual? Bilingual residents who speak English, as well as Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati or Punjabi are especially needed as Election Board Workers in Mercer County.

How Do You Become One? If you are eligible to serve, the first thing you need to do is complete an application through the Board of Elections’ website at www.mercercounty.org/boards-commissions/board-ofelections/board-worker-application or in person at the August 12 event.

What Else Should You Know? In Mercer County, Election Board Workers can either sign up to work a full day shift to earn $300 or can work a half day shift to receive $150.

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Affordable rates for all our monthly publications. Or post your online-only ads for free at communitynews.org/classifieds.

After applying, applicants must sign up for and complete an in-person training session where they learn the responsibilities of an Election Board Worker. Following inperson training, online refresher courses are available to help all board workers be fully prepared.

Business Meetings

Wednesday August 6

Networking, BNI Falcons, IHOP, 610 Route 33, East Windsor, 877-264-0500. www.bninjpa.org. Hybrid meeting. Speakers: Vera Silva, business and personal insurance topics; and Fran White, first in-person presentation, health insurance products and services. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Thursday August 7

Networking, BNI Tigers Chapter, Conference Center at Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, 609-570-3237. www.bninjpa.org. In-person meeting. Speaker: Jon Castaneda, insurance. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Networking, BNI Top Flight, Town Diner, 431 Route 130, East Windsor, 609-4438222. www.bninjpa.org. 7 a.m.

Real Estate Business Alliance: Evening Networking Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hill Wallack LLP, 21 Roszel Road, Princeton, 609-924-1776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org. Networking and relationship building with the area’s top real estate professionals. Beer, wine, and light fare served. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Friday August 8

Networking BNI Driven, Elks Lodge #2622, 1580 Kuser Road, Hamilton, 609585-9610. www.bninjpa.org. Speakers: Drew Schanen, solar; and Morgan Sayre, investing in your retirement/future. 7 a.m.

Networking, X-Factor BNI, VFW 133, 485 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, 908-4216151. www.bninjpa.org. Guests always welcome. RSVP suggested. Contact distinguished@rocketmail.com for more. 7 to 8:30 a.m.

JobSeekers, Professional Service Group of Mercer County, Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren Street, Plainsboro. www.psgofmercercounty.org. Lew Maltby presents “Navigating the Pre-Employment Screening Minefield.” 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturday August 9

Environmental Justice: Storytelling for Systems Change East Trenton Collaborative, Isles, 1 North Johnston Avenue, Hamilton. tinyurl.com/ETClistenandlearn. Community listen and learn session designed to center environmental justice stories and create pathways for meaningful change. Register. Free. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesday August 12

Mid-Day Toastmasters Club, 908-4216151. 4139.toastmastersclubs.org. Nonprofit dedicated to effective oral communication and leadership development. Meeting via Zoom. Visit tinyurl.com/zoomwithmidday. 11:30 a.m.

National Election Board Worker Recruitment Day Celebration, Mercer County Board of Elections, Mercer County Office Park, 1440 Parkside Avenue, Ewing. www. mercercounty.org/boards-commissions/ board-of-elections. Learn about serving as an Election Board Worker in Mercer County. Speakers, special presentations, and a voting equipment demonstration, as well as light refreshments and games for children. 4:30 p.m.

JobSeekers. sites.google.com/site/njjobseekers. Virtual meeting for those seeking employment. Visit website for GoTo Meeting link. 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday August 13

Networking, BNI Falcons, IHOP, 610 Route 33, East Windsor, 877-264-0500. www.bninjpa.org. Hybrid meeting. Speakers: Eric Davis environmental remediation and septic systems presentation; and David Gulino commercial and residential electrical services presentation. 7 to 8:30 a.m. Business Before Business Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Nassau Club, 6 Mercer Street, Princeton, 609-924-1776. www.princetonmercerchamber.org. Networking over morning coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Register. 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Building Wealth Through Smart Homeownership West Windsor Library, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, 609799-0462. www.mcl.org. What is smart homeownership? How does smart homeownership contribute to building wealth? Is homeownership a part of holistic financial planning? Join an educational workshop to learn more. Register. 6:30 p.m.

RETAIL, OFFICE, MEDICAL & WAREHOUSE

SPACE FOR LEASE

VILLAGE CENTER

• 28,000 sf (+/-) of ground-level retail, office & medical space

• Optional built-to-suit space designed to fit your needs

• Separate utilities for each suite

• 191 Luxury apartments on-site

• Over 120 parking spaces with handicap accessibility

• High visibility with 29,646 (+/-) vehicles on Route 206 & 14,760 vehicles on Amwell Road passing the center daily

• Six building complex totaling 47,094 sf (+/-)

• Private bathroom, kitchenette & separate utilities for each suite

• Nine acres of professionally landscaped & managed office & medical space

• 336 Parking spaces available with handicap accessibility

• Close proximity to hotels & restaurants in the Princeton & Trenton areas

• Four building warehouse complex totaling 150,000 sf (+/-) situated in a prime location right off Route 31

• All buildings feature 32’ clear ceiling heights, 50’ x 50’ column spacing, heavy power, LED warehouse lighting, 360-degree site circulation, heavy floor load, loading docks &/or drive-ins

• Separate utilities and entrances for each suite

• Full wet sprinkler system throughout

• 270 Parking spaces available with handicap accessibility