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Vol. LXIV, No. 44
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010
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Vol. LXIV, No. 44
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Wednesday, November 3, 2010
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Sherri Garber and Eve Niedergang
Friends Book Sale Co-Chairs
Connie and Vladimir Ban
The Great Road
Kara Stephenson
Director, YWCA Breast Cancer Resource Center
Jess Deutsch, Jennifer Geoghan,
Riva Levy, Shari L. Powell, Trish Ryan,
Mary Saudargas, Nic Voge
Thomas P. McCool
President and CEO, Eden Autism Services
Ethan C. Finley
Princeton Community Village
To the editor:
We would like to extend a big “thank you” to everybody who helped make the recent Friends of the Princeton Public Library Annual Book Sale so successful. Because all the books that we sell at the Annual Sale (and at our used book store, open daily and located just inside the library entrance) are donated and all our workers are volunteers, we are able to give the entire income to the Library to fund its purchase of new books and audio/visual materials.
Donations soared this year and included many high quality books. We thank all who keep the Friends in mind when donating books to recycle in the community and support the library.
More than 80 volunteers set up the sale, sold books, and kept everything neat and accessible while excited customers scrambled for the perfect finds. The Princeton Public Library staff was tremendously generous in dealing with the disruption of the book sale and assisting us in every manner possible. And the customers were a joy, from the toddlers right up to the senior citizens. It was wonderful to watch our highly literate community say a resounding “yes” to the continued relevance and usefulness of the book.
This sale was both our largest — probably about 20,000 volumes (we added a tent to accommodate them) — and most profitable yet. We could not have done it without you.
Still to come — the second part of our Annual Sale — a one-day audio/visual materials (DVDs, CDs, LPs, VHS tapes, Audio books) and foreign language books sale on Saturday, December 4 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sherri Garber and Eve Niedergang
Friends Book Sale Co-Chairs
To the editor:
Although October was officially “Fire Prevention Month,” every day is a good time to remember to thank our Princeton area firefighters — a group of highly trained and deeply committed volunteers. They give our community their precious time — with courage and expertise. Their commitment and generosity are crucial to keeping our citizens safe every day.
Recruiting and retaining an adequate number of volunteers is difficult right now. An understaffed and stretched fire department cannot respond adequately to Princeton’s needs, nor can it offer reciprocal response to neighboring towns in their times of need. This situation means that the greater Princeton area is not adequately protected in the event of a fire or other disaster.
We would like to see all of Princeton’s firehouses open, well equipped and ready to go. We ask that the citizens of Princeton support and honor our fire department and those who serve and protect us all.
Connie and Vladimir Ban
The Great Road
To the editor:
We wish to acknowledge the many people and organizations that helped make the 6th Annual “In the Pink” Fashion Show benefiting the YWCA Princeton Breast Cancer Resource Center an incredible success! The show launched Breast Cancer Awareness month in style, and highlighted breast cancer survivors and their supporters — spouses, children, grandchildren, doctors, and nurses modeling fall fashions. The evening was possible only through the generosity of countless individuals and businesses in the community.
Because of their support, the Center will continue to provide information and support to hundreds of local women and families coping with breast cancer. The evenings’ proceeds enable us to offer free support groups, private counseling sessions, a peer support network, teleconference and lecture series, mind/body wellness activities, a wig & prosthesis bank, and a patient assistance fund. Our outreach programs will continue to touch the lives of women through presentations at their churches, businesses, and community organizations discussing this disease, its risk factors and symptoms, and the importance of early detection and regular mammograms.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the many generous community members and businesses that supported this event: sponsors David Jack — Senior Vice President of Investments — UBS Financial Services; University Medical Center at Princeton Breast Health Center; American Disabilities Corp.; Bai Brands; Hopewell Valley Community Bank; Horizon NJ Health; Mercer County Woman; and Private Wealth Management Group, Inc.; individual event benefactors, patrons, and friends; numerous in-kind supporters, as well as the many auction and centerpiece donors. Heartfelt thanks to Metropolis Spa & Salon stylists, emcee Karen Jezierny, fashion show coordinator Gabrielle Klein, centerpiece competition coordinator Margaret Wong, DJ Mindy Star, and all the event volunteers. And a special thank you to the 30 enthusiastic models who walked and shared their personal stories on the pink runway!
For more post-event information including photo galleries, auction and centerpiece donor listings, visit www.ywcaprinceton.org/inthepink.
Kara Stephenson
Director, YWCA Breast Cancer Resource Center
To the editor:
We write to encourage everyone involved with children, families, education, health and wellness, and community life in Princeton to attend Race to Nowhere at Princeton High School on November 15 at 7:30 p.m. We have been encouraged by the collaboration and positive energy that our community is generating for this important event.
As parents, community members, and volunteers, we want to make clear why we felt it was so important to bring this film and conversation to the widest possible audience. We believe that all of us who are involved with today’s youth have the potential to think critically about and have an impact on the culture in which our kids are being raised. It is not our wish to criticize any individual parents, schools, teachers, or administrators. In fact, we know we are fortunate to live in a community that has so many strengths and believes in the best interest of our children. But we are living against a backdrop of relentless (over)-striving and achievement-orientation, and we think it is worth taking a moment to pause, consider what is driving some of the frenzy and pressure, and make sure we proceed in the ways that will make the most sense for us and our children in the long run. We want to build on strong partnerships with teachers, administrators, coaches, health professionals, parent organizations and others who have an interest in the healthy development of children and families. We hope that Race to Nowhere is the beginning of a conversation that inspires the Princeton community to imagine all the possibilities for ourselves, our children, our families, our schools, and ultimately, our society.
Tickets ($10 online in advance, and $15 at the door) to the event are available now at: http://rtnprincetonu.eventbrite.com with proceeds to benefit the Riverside Elementary School PTO, 101:, and The Princeton Education Foundation.
Jess Deutsch, Jennifer Geoghan,
Riva Levy, Shari L. Powell, Trish Ryan,
Mary Saudargas, Nic Voge
To the editor:
On behalf of Eden Autism Services, I want to thank our generous community for supporting “Eden by Moonlight … Club Casablanca,” which took place on October 9 at Greenacres Country Club in Lawrenceville. The evening helped to raise awareness, new friends, and much needed funds for Eden and the children and adults with autism whose special needs Eden serves.
Unfortunately, the public funding we receive through school districts and state agencies does not fully cover the cost of the comprehensive array of services Eden provides for individuals with autism and their families. Thus, in order to ensure the continued excellence and sustainability of those services, we rely on events such as “Eden by Moonlight” and the generosity of our extended Eden family to help make up this shortfall.
We are deeply grateful to our dedicated Steering Committee, led by co-chairs Cathy McCool and Jason Bundick; our sponsors and patrons; our many volunteers; the outstanding Greenacres staff for their excellent service; and everyone else who helped to bring our Moroccan themed event to life. Also, special thanks to the many individuals and businesses who helped keep costs down by generously donating silent auction prizes or other goods and services for the event.
Finally, please know how much we appreciate the individual donations of so many of our friends and neighbors who attended and supported last month’s event. Their generosity is making it possible for Eden to realize its dream — of individuals with autism learning, growing, working, and leading productive lives in their communities.
Thomas P. McCool
President and CEO, Eden Autism Services
To the editor:
When I read your article in the October 6 issue of the Town Topics that Chief of Police Mark Emann and two of his subordinates were being investigated by the Mercer County Prosecutors Office I was shocked, I was stunned, and I was filled with disbelief.
I first met Mark Emann in 1978 when he first became a member of the Princeton Township Police Department. Despite the trouble that Mark Emann is in I still consider him to be a very fine man.
In September of 1998, I was in a predicament in Pennsylvania in the general area of Yardley, Pennsylvania. Mark Emann and a female subordinate showed so much kindness and compassion towards me that they came all the way to Pennsylvania to help me out. I pray that Mark Emann will be allowed to continue his role as the Chief of Police of the Princeton Township Police Department.
Ethan C. Finley
Princeton Community Village