January 22, 2025
By Donald Gilpin
Princeton voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, January 28, to vote on a Princeton Public Schools (PPS) facilities bond referendum with a total cost of $89.1 million if all three questions pass.
“The board separated the referendum into three questions, and if approved, it will allow us to receive up to an estimated $19.9 million in state financial aid to offset the financial impact on taxpayers,” PPS Board of Education (BOE) President Dafna Kedal wrote in a January 21 email. “We encourage everyone to visit princetonk12.org/referendum to learn more about the projects, and of course to vote by January 28.”
Kendal went on to emphasize the importance of the process of informing Princeton residents about the referendum during the past few months. “We have held at least 30 events for community members to come out and tour the schools, learn about the referendum projects, and ask questions,” she wrote. “Our administration and professionals have done a great job explaining the projects and why we need to increase capacity for student enrollment as the municipality’s population grows.” more
By Donald Gilpin
It’s flu season, along with rising case numbers of RSV and COVID-19, not to mention warnings of a bird flu threat. And if that’s not enough, U.S. health officials are now claiming it’s the worst season in many years for outbreaks of the norovirus, which is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis among people of all ages in the U.S.
Princeton Deputy Administrator/Health Officer Jeff Grosser reported that the Princeton Health Department has been monitoring the situation closely, investigating two separate norovirus outbreaks in a Princeton school and a day care last week, along with a few other localized outbreaks.
Cases of norovirus are common during the winter months, Grosser said, “especially in schools where the virus spreads quickly due to close contacts and shared surfaces.” The Princeton Health Department was able to identify 10 to 12 students/staff in each outbreak. “This demonstrates the quick spreading nature of norovirus,” Grosser added. more
By Anne Levin
On a snowy evening last week, the auditorium at Princeton University’s Friend Center was packed with a standing-room-only crowd for a talk about the new building of the Princeton University Art Museum. James Steward, the museum’s director, and Chris Newth, its senior associate director for collections and exhibitions, revealed some of the challenges and surprises — happy and otherwise — that have come up during the project.
“We are finally at a point where we can say we are opening this year,” said Steward at the beginning of the event titled “Conversation: Hidden Stories: Preparing a New Museum.” But he wasn’t ready to set a specific date.
The January 16 event was part of the museum’s “Late Thursdays” programming. The focus was, largely, on the materials and design of the building’s interior. The museum’s three floors are to have a total square footage of 144,000 square feet, almost double the size of its former building. more
SATURDAY SCIENCE: Jongsoo Yoo, a principal research physicist and deputy head of discovery plasma science at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), focuses on solar flares in the first in a series of seven Science on Saturday lectures featuring a slate of distinguished speakers on a range of topics of current interest. (Photo by Elle Starkman/PPPL Communications Department)
By Donald Gilpin
Solar flares, quantum computing, microplastic pollution, direct recycling, schizophrenia, the science of polling, and more. Science fans of all ages are gathering on Saturday mornings over the next two months to participate in the 41st year of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s (PPPL) Science on Saturday Lecture Series.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fusion Energy Sciences program, this year’s Science on Saturday series launched on January 18 with a presentation by Jongsoo Yoo, principal research physicist and deputy head of discovery plasma science at PPPL, who focused on the surface of the sun, magnetic reconnection, and the mysterious process behind solar flares. more
“SELFIES” FROM A SHOCKING SOURCE: The 2007 discovery of a photo album depicting workers from the Auschwitz concentration camp enjoying picnics and gatherings on their days off is the basis of a play opening at McCarter Theatre on Friday, January 24. (Photo by Matthew Murphy)
By Anne Levin
At performances of the play Here There Are Blueberries at McCarter Theatre January 24-February 9, panelists taking part in post-show discussions are as key to the experience as the actors cast in the play.
The drama/detective story by Tectonic Theater Project director Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, inspired by an album of Nazi-era photographs, poses profound questions about ethical issues and human nature. Audiences at past productions by the La Jolla Playhouse and Shakespeare Theatre Company (McCarter’s production kicks off a national tour) have been reluctant to leave their seats once the play comes to an end.
“We have found, over and over, that the people wanted to stay and talk about what they had just seen,” said Kaufman. “They need to process it. That’s why we have the talkbacks.”
By Anne Levin
Princeton-based arts and humanities initiatives are among the recipients of grants in the most recent round of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
Princeton University Concerts (PUC) has received $20,000 from the NEA for its Healing with Music series, while Morven Museum and Garden was granted $25,000 for a project addressing the history of slavery. In addition, Divya Cherian, associate professor of history at Princeton University, has been awarded $60,000 from the NEH for a book project titled Conjured States: Witchcraft and Politics in Western India, 1750-1900. more
By Stuart Mitchner
There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, “Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole. It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”
—from the announcement of David Lynch’s death
If David Lynch were still delivering daily weather reports on his YouTube channel, and if he’d lived to see Inauguration Day, his January 20 forecast would have ended with his usual cheery, heartfelt “golden sunshine and blue skies all the way” closing line, topped off with a smile and a vigorous salute, regardless of the actual weather in L.A. or D.C. Unfortunately, actual earthly weather in the form of the Santa Ana winds driving the wildfires devastating his city forced the mandatory evacuation of Lynch’s home on the night of Wednesday, January 8. The timing and the circumstances were, as some online bloggers have noted, “Lynchian.” Not only was the director of Mulholland Drive living adjacent to the street that gave his most celebrated film its title, he was homebound, seriously ill with emphysema, and in need of “supplemental oxygen for most activities.” Even though the evacuation order was rescinded the next morning, the damage had apparently been done. Less than a week later, Lynch’s family announced his January 15 death.
Smoking
David Lynch may not have been the master of his fate, but he clearly understood that the cause of his poor health had to do with something more personal than weather. “Smoking was something that I absolutely loved but, in the end, it bit me,” he told Sight and Sound magazine in September 2024. “It was part of the art life for me: the tobacco and the smell of it and lighting things and smoking and going back and sitting back and having a smoke and looking at your work, or thinking about things; nothing like it in this world is so beautiful…. Meanwhile, it’s killing me.” more
By Nancy Plum
Musical ensembles often observe the significant birthdays of composers of the past or anniversaries of their leaders. Princeton Symphony Orchestra took this idea one step further by celebrating the 60th birthday of Music Director Rossen Milanov earlier in January with presentations of two monumental orchestral works. The concert on the night of Saturday, January 11 at Richardson Auditorium (the program was repeated the following afternoon) brought together Orchestra musicians, conductor Milanov, one of his long-term collaborators, and two of his favorite pieces in the ensemble’s annual Edward T. Cone commemorative events.
Joining Princeton Symphony in Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major was guest soloist Leila Josefowicz, who has played with the Orchestra numerous times in past seasons. A violinist with a solid international reputation, Josefowicz clearly demonstrated a strong connection to both Milanov and the players while showing her own brand of performance fire. more
“THE CLEAN HOUSE”: Performances are underway for “The Clean House.” Presented by Shakespeare 70 and Kelsey Theatre, and directed by Janet Quartarone with the assistance of Maggie Gronenthal, the play runs through January 26 at Kelsey Theatre. Above, from left: Lane (Laura McWater), a physician, faces a devastating revelation brought about by the actions of her sister Virginia (Laurie Hardy); her husband Charles (Stan Cahill); the mysterious Ana (Jaqueline Booth); and her cleaning lady, Matilde (Lisbeth Burgos), who wants to invent the funniest joke in the world. (Photo by Jake Burbage)
By Donald H. Sanborn III
Kelsey Theatre is continuing its “Season of Transformations” with The Clean House. Sarah Ruhl’s quirky, bittersweet comedy depicts a married couple — both of whom are physicians — whose Brazilian housekeeper hates to clean house, and dreams of inventing “the funniest joke in the world.”
An arrangement is made whereby the sister of one of the doctors will do the housekeeper’s job of cleaning the couple’s home. This leads to a discovery that upends the couple’s marriage, and necessitates complicated choices and self-examination. more
ALL MOZART: Pianist Orli Shaham is the soloist at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s program of works by the composer on February 8 and 9 at Richardson Auditorium. (Photo by Christian Steiner)
Pianist Orli Shaham is the soloist with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) on February 8 at 8 p.m. and February 9 at 4 p.m. in an all-Mozart program at Richardson Auditorium.
Ballet music from Idomeneo (excerpts), the Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466, and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 453 Will be performed. Gérard Korsten, conductor and Mozart specialist, will make his debut with the PSO.
Locals may recall Ms. Shaham from her Baby Got Bach program for children which made its Princeton debut in 2016 with So Percussion. She also recorded a piano concerto, Stumble to Grace, by Princeton-based composer Steve Mackey. more
Guitarist Bill O’Neal will perform at the Fanny Parnell Poetry Project’s “Poetry, Politics, and Ms. Parnell,” on Saturday, February 1 at 3 p.m. at Bordentown’s Old City Hall, 11 Crosswicks Street. Known for his monthly sessions at Tir na Nog in Trenton, O’Neal will be joined with George Zienowicz, a pipe player and fiddler as well as a neon artist. Admission is free to the program, which will be followed by “Poets and Pints” poetry reading at Bordentown Square Tap and Grill at 4 p.m. Visit oldcityhallprograms@gmail.com for more information.
Bimpé Fageyinbo
(Photo courtesy of Yuri Alves)
On February 6 at 7:30 p.m., the Thomas A. Edison Media Arts Consortium, in collaboration with the Lewis Center for the Arts, presents a film screening and panel on top award-winning filmmakers and poets living and working in New Jersey. The event is at the James Stewart Film Theater, 185 Nassau Street. Admission is free.
“Themes and Journeys of Artists and Filmmakers in New Jersey” includes a premiere screening of three award-winning short films from the Thomas Edison Film Festival (TEFF) collection produced, directed and/or performed by the five panelists: writer/director Seyi Peter-Thomas, poet Cortney Lamar Charleston, filmmaker Moon Molson, filmmaker Yuri Alves, and artist Bimpé Fageyinbo, moderated by TEFF director Jane Steuerwald.
The films to be screened are How Do you Raise a Black Child? by Peter-Thomas in collaboration with Charleston; The Bravest, the Boldest by Molson; and Freedom for Freedom by Alves featuring Fageyinbo. The films are recent additions to the Thomas Edison Film Festival collection. TEFF is an international juried competition celebrating all genres and independent filmmakers across the globe. more
The Garden Theatre has announced the spring lineup of the $5 Family Matinee series for spring.
Included in the lineup of family-friendly and nostalgic films are American animation along with two live-action tales. All screenings are $5 and are free for members of the nonprofit community.
The screenings begin on January 25 with Adventures of Milo & Otis. Disney’s modern ode to old-school animation, The Princess and the Frog, follows up on February 22. Next the Garden takes audiences back to the silent era on March 22 as Charlie Chaplin entertains at The Circus. Next on April 12 is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and on May 17 the big screen becomes a time machine to prehistoric Earth in Don Bluth’s The Land Before Time.
The $5 Family Matinee series is underwritten by jaZams, McCarter Theatre Center, Color Me Mine Princeton, and the Princeton Public Library. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at 160 Nassau Street, or at princetongardentheatre.org/family.
PLEIN AIR PLUS: Among several plein air works that will be auctioned to benefit the Lambertville Historical Society and the James Marshall House Museum on February 1 is “Running Dog” by Annelies van Dommelen, shown here.
Plein Air Plus, artistic interpretations of historic Lambertville and neighboring river towns, is an annual fundraiser by the Lambertville Historical Society (LHS). This year, it will take place at Rago Arts and Auction Center on Saturday, February 1 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. More than 55 pieces will be featured during the event, held as a silent auction to benefit LHS and the James Marshall House Museum.
All works will be on display and minimum bids will be set. Bidding will close at 6:30 p.m., sharp, with winners announced by 7 p.m. Plein Air Plus will also feature live music by the local band The Lifters, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages. There is a $25 suggested donation, $15 donation for LHS members. more
“WISDOM”: This work by Pat McLean-Smith is featured in “Manifesting Beloved Community,” on view through March 1 at West Windsor Arts in West Windsor Township.
For the fourth consecutive year, West Windsor Arts, in partnership with Art Against Racism, invited artists to present their vision of an equitable and caring world, one not tainted by the misjustices of structural racism. Their artworks are now on display at the arts center in an exhibition called “Manifesting Beloved Community,” inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s global vision of a nonviolent, love-centered world without poverty, hunger and social injustice. Throughout his lifetime, King spoke of a healed planet.
“We are honoring Dr. King’s legacy with this exhibition, which will be on display through March 1,” says Aylin Green, executive director of West Windsor Arts. “Each year, we also sponsor a day of service on the MLK holiday so that volunteers are surrounded by the impactful work of this show as they package donations to be given to local service organizations.” more
TRASHED ART CONTEST: Artists and artwork from the TrashedArt 2024 Contest are shown at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System. Art in this year’s contest will be on display in March and April.
In March and April, art will be displayed for the 16th Annual TrashedArt Contest at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System (MCLS). Patrons will have a chance to view photographs of the artwork and vote for the “People’s Choice” awards in-person at each of the nine branches and virtually on the MCLS’ website. Winners will be announced at the TrashedArt Contest Reception at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch on Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m.
“The TrashedArt Contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging our residents to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art,” said County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m thrilled that Mercer County Libraries can continue to host this contest, and I can’t wait to see what creative works our contestants produce.” more
STEPPING UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Xaivian Lee flies in for a layup during a game earlier this season. Last Monday, junior guard Lee scored a game-clinching 3-pointer in the waning seconds as Princeton rallied from a 20-point deficit to edge Columbia 71-67. Two days earlier, Lee drained the game-winning 3-pointer in an 81-80 win over Dartmouth. The Tigers, now 14-4 overall and 3-0 Ivy League, host Cornell on January 25. (Photo by Steven Wojtowicz)
By Bill Alden
Xaivian Lee displayed a flair for the dramatic last weekend for the Princeton University men’s basketball team.
On Saturday, junior guard Lee drained a game-winning step back 3-pointer as Princeton edged Dartmouth 81-80.
Two days later against visiting Columbia, it was a case of déjà vu as Lee fired in a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in regulation to put Princeton up 69-67 on the way to a 71-67 win, capping a furious comeback as the Tigers rallied from a 20-point deficit. more
SISTER ACT: Princeton University women’s basketball player Toby Nweke puts up a shot last Saturday against Dartmouth. Freshman guard Nweke scored a career-high 10 points to help Princeton defeat the Big Green 63-39. Nweke is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Chet ’24, who emerged as a key performer for the Tigers, helping Princeton to win three Ivy League titles. Princeton, which fell 58-50 at Columbia on Monday night to move to 12-5 overall and 3-1 Ivy League, plays at Cornell on January 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Having been first exposed to the Princeton University women’s basketball team as an 11-year-old, Toby Nweke has been dreaming for years about joining the program.
Nweke started attending games to watch her older sister, Chet ’24, who emerged as a key performer for the Tigers, helping Princeton to win three Ivy League titles. more
MILESTONE MOMENT: Princeton University men’s hockey player Brendan Wang controls the puck in a 2022 game. Last Friday, junior defenseman Wang scored his first career goal in a 6-2 loss to Cornell. The Tigers, who lost 6-4 to Colgate to move to 6-10-1 overall and 3-8-1 ECAC Hockey, host Bentley for a two-game set on January 25 and 26. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
For Brendan Wang, it was a moment that was nearly three years in the making.
Making his 57th appearance for the Princeton University men’s hockey team last Friday night as it hosted Cornell, junior defenseman Wang scored his first career goal as he converted on a power play in the third period. more
GETTING AFTER IT: Princeton High boys’ hockey player Liam Campbell goes after the puck in a game earlier this season. Junior forward Campbell has helped PHS post three straight wins in 2025 after a 1-5 start. In upcoming action, the Tigers, who moved to 4-5 with a 4-3 win over Paul VI on January 13, will look to keep on the winning track as they face Hopewell Valley on January 22, Robbinsville on January 24 and South Brunswick on January 27 with all three games to be played at the Mercer County Skating Center. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Getting off to a 1-5 start in December action, the Princeton High boys’ hockey team reached a crossroads as it headed into 2025.
“Going into the New Year, we had one practice on the 29th of December,” said PHS head coach Rik Johnson. “I was going to do a lot of evaluation, checking to see where we are at. We lost five in row, the wheels were kind of falling off the bus there. We had good numbers, a lot of guys showed up.” more
TAKING IT TO THE HOOP: Princeton High girls’ basketball player Anna Winters puts up a shot in a game earlier this season. Last Saturday, junior guard Winters scored 14 points in a losing cause as PHS fell 52-47 to Monroe. The Tigers, who moved to 8-5 with the loss, play at Trenton Central on January 23, at Delaware Valley in January 25, and at Princeton Day School on January 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
For Anna Winters and her teammates on the Princeton High girls’ basketball team, their 45-38 loss to Robbinsville last Thursday proved to be a microcosm of a tough week.
After enjoying a smooth ride in starting 8-2 this season, PHS hit some bumps in the road, falling 52-43 to Notre Dame on January 14 and 52-47 to Monroe last Saturday in addition to the setback to the Ravens. more
SHOOTING STAR: Princeton Day School girls’ basketball player Sophia Rae Barber dribbles upcourt in a game last season. Last Friday, junior guard Barber scored nine points to help PDS defeat WW/P-South 34-27 as it won its third straight game. The Panthers, now 7-4, play at Trenton Central on January 22 and at Lawrence High on January 23 before hosting Princeton High on January 28. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
Sophia Rae Barber got off to a rough start as the Princeton Day School girls’ basketball team hosted Hamilton West last week.
PDS junior guard Barber scored just two points in the first half of the January 14 contest and ended up on her knees vomiting in a bucket behind the Panther bench just before halftime. more
DRAWING A CROWD: Stuart Country Day School basketball player Taylor States, right, looks to make an inside move in a game last winter. Last Friday, junior forward States posted a double-double with 19 points and 17 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as Stuart lost 35-32 to Hamilton West. The Tartans, who moved to 2-6 with the loss, host Haddonfield on January 23 and WW/P-North on January 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)
By Bill Alden
With the Stuart Country Day School basketball team having lost five of its previous six games as it hosted Hamilton West last Friday, the Tartans came out firing.
Stuart jumped out to a 10-3 first quarter lead as junior star forward Taylor States scored six points and her younger sister, freshman guard Lia, added two. more
January 15, 2025
