“BEST OF THE BEST”: Sakina Hassani, left, from Afghanistan will be completing her second master’s degree next month at Clark University and is looking to make her mark in the world of industrial psychology. With extraordinary philanthropic endeavors and much moral support, Maureen Llort, right, has assisted Hassani’s heroic journey from Afghanistan to the achievement of her educational goals in the U.S. (Photo courtesy of Maureen Llort)

By Donald Gilpin

Much has been written recently about the daunting challenges of education — financial, pedagogical, political — from elementary school through college and graduate school. Our society questions relentlessly the value of education in schools and universities.

The story of Sakina Hassani, a Fulbright Scholar from Afghanistan, and her supporters, two Princeton-area nonprofit organizations in particular, might shed new light on the importance of education and what it sometimes takes to acquire that education.

Hassani, a young woman on track to complete a master’s degree in data analytics at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., next month, recalled her early education as a girl growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan, in the early 2000s before the 2021 Taliban takeover. more

THE RIGHT TO READ: Members of Princeton Council and the Princeton Public Library’s Board posed for a picture following Council’s passage of a resolution declaring the town a Book Sanctuary. From left are Library Board Treasurer Jeffrey Liao, Councilman Leighton Newlin, Library Director Jennifer Podolsky, Board Vice President Christopher Van Buren, Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, Board President Robert Ginsberg, Councilwoman Leticia Fraga, State Sen. Andrew Zwicker, Mayor Mark Freda, and Councilman David Cohen.

By Anne Levin

At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council passed a resolution declaring the town a book sanctuary. The action takes a stance against the significant increase in the banning of books in libraries and schools in New Jersey and across the country.

The governing body also passed an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of a 90-acre property near Herrontown Woods and the Autumn Hill Reservation, bordered by Montgomery Township, Herrontown Road, Herrontown Lane, and Mount Lucas Road. The ordinance preserves the property, which is the second largest tract of undeveloped land in the area, in perpetuity for passive open space. more

By Donald Gilpin

With the April 23 lease termination date set and Princeton University having rejected a number of appeals, it is not clear what possibilities might remain for the future of the Nassau Swim Club (NSC) — but a sizable band of devoted, outspoken NSC supporters is not giving up hope.

“It’s not over until it’s over,” reads the headline on the NSC website. “Princeton University said no, but we still have one week left.”

The University responded on Monday, April 8 to a Town Topics inquiry as to whether there had been any reconsideration of the decision “in the light of further community support voiced for NSC, a popular online petition against the termination, and additional appeals for a delay and reconsideration of the termination.” more

By Donald Gilpin

A national finalist in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition, Princeton High School’s (PHS) research team of about 15 students under the direction of science teacher Mark Eastburn is heading to Washington, D.C., on April 29 to present their project to a panel of judges. Three schools will be chosen, each of which will receive a $100,000 prize package.

As one of the 10 finalists announced by Samsung on March 26 from among this year’s 50 state winners, the PHS team has already won a $50,000 prize package, including Samsung technology and classroom supplies. more

By Donald Gilpin

For the second straight year, Princeton has been designated as a Mayors Wellness Campaign Healthy Town for the state of New Jersey. 

The commendation, announced last month by the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI), cited Princeton as one of 17 cities and towns in the state that “go above and beyond to improve health and wellness in their communities through innovative programs in areas such as exercise, healthy eating, and mental health education and awareness.”

The NJHCQI commended Princeton’s success “in offering education, strategies, and tools that residents can use in their daily lives,” noting that “community events such as a health fair provide an opportunity to partner with community organizations and share resources with residents.” more

By Donald Gilpin

Friday, March 29, marked a full year since Evan Gershkovich, a 2010 Princeton High School graduate, was detained in Russia while on assignment as a fully accredited reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He was accused of espionage and has been imprisoned at the high-security Lefortovo prison in Moscow.

The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. government, and Gershkovich himself have forcefully denied the charges. On March 26 his detention was extended for three more months. HIs trial date has not been set.  more

By Donald Gilpin

Spring has arrived in Princeton, and Sustainable Princeton wants the community to know that it’s time for a Backyard Chicken Chat, where you can learn how to raise your very own flock; Foraged Flower Art, where you can gather your materials and create your own pressed art; Jardin de Lluvia 101, a workshop in Spanish for landscapers; a Gathering for the Bike-Curious; and much more.

These multiple EcoExperiences lead up to an Earth Day Community Green Fair at Morven Museum and Garden from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, with live music, historic garden tours, lots of food, fun activities and games hosted by the Princeton Public Schools, more chickens, yoga, flowers, and chances to win prizes. more

“PRINCETON’S NATIVE SON”: Paul Robeson, scholar, athlete, singer, actor, and activist, will be celebrated next week with events at the Arts Council of Princeton (also known as the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts) on April 9 and April 13. The Paul Robeson House of Princeton is scheduled to complete reconstruction and open to the public by spring of 2025. (Photo by Encyclopedia Britannica)

By Donald Gilpin

If Paul Robeson’s name is not known by everyone in Princeton, that’s not for lack of effort on the part of the Paul Robeson House of Princeton and the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP), who will be hosting two 126th birthday celebrations for Robeson in the next week and planning for completion of reconstruction and reopening of the house at 110 Witherspoon Street to the public by next spring.

“We are committed to opening this facility and having it open for business by this time next year,” said Ben Colbert, president of the board of directors of the Robeson House.  more

By Donald Gilpin

In honor of Paul Robeson’s 126th birthday, an eclectic, multi-media celebration will take place at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) on April 9 at 5:30 p.m.

The event will feature historical-personal commentary by neighborhood historian and Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society President Shirley Satterfield; a presentation of the Robeson Clay Project, a multi-disciplinary initiative bringing together ACP artists, Princeton High School (PHS) science students, and Paul Robeson House of Princeton curators; and a flamenco performance presented by dancer/choreographer Lisa Botalico and inspired by Robeson’s speech in support of resistance against fascism during the Spanish Civil War. more

By Donald Gilpin

Daniel Kurtzer, former United States ambassador to Israel and Egypt and currently professor of Middle East policy studies at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, will be the keynote speaker at the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) Membership Renewal Gathering on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m.

“We are pleased to present an outstanding expert on Middle East peacemaking at this time of major war and violence, and imminent starvation,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Robert Moore. “We need all of the insight and guidance we can muster to rapidly end this deeply troubling and divisive war, release the hostages, alleviate the catastrophic humanitarian crisis, and find a way toward a lasting solution with a just peace for all.” more

WOOD DRAGONS AND LANTERNS: Herrontown Woods recently hosted a Lantern Festival and year of the wood dragon celebration, welcoming more than 200 visitors for a dragon parade, traditional Chinese songs and games, a tea party, and a festive community gathering in nature. (Photo by Kristin Ohrt for Herrontown Woods)

By Donald Gilpin

Danni Zhao, Montgomery resident and founder of United Moms, was a frequent visitor to Herrontown Woods with her young family. Inge Regan, Friends of Herrontown Woods (FOHW) board member, often joined them and they chatted as they strolled through the woods.

“As we walked together we got this idea,” said Zhao. “2024 is the year of the wood dragon, and this is the perfect time and Herrontown Woods is the perfect place to celebrate the dragon year in the woods. And Inge suggested we organize this event together.” more

A HAIR-RAISING EXPERIENCE: The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s (PPPL) Van de Graaff generator causes the experimenter’s hair to stand on end from the effects of static electricity. Almost 900 young women in grades seven through ten enjoyed hands-on experiments, chemistry demos, presentations, and extensive networking as they participated in PPPL’s Young Women’s Conference in STEM held at Princeton University last Friday. (Michael Livingston/PPPL Department of Communications)

By Donald Gilpin

Nearly 900 aspiring scientists gathered at the Frick Chemistry Laboratory at Princeton University on March 15 for the Young Women’s Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).

Hands-on activities, small group presentations, chemistry demos, a keynote address, and networking throughout the day introduced the young women, seventh to tenth graders, to many practicing engineers and scientists and a variety of STEM careers. more

By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton Fire Department has been dispatched to three different fires in Princeton in the last two weeks, with some significant damage occurring and several residents displaced from their homes, but no injuries reported.

The fires, noted by Department of Emergency and Safety Services Director Michael Yeh, included an apartment fire on March 5 at Redding Circle, a gas line fire at a PSE&G work site on Nassau Street in front of the Princeton University Store and Labyrinth Books on March 12, and a house fire on Spruce Lane on March 13.

The Fire Department reported that upon their arrival at the Redding Circle complex at about 7:30 a.m. on March 5, a fire was venting from a rear second floor window and extending into the attic. Crews extinguished the fire in the second floor bedrooms and the extension into the attic.  more

By Donald Gilpin

National politics has been constantly in the news in this 2024 election year, and closer to home the political heat is rising, with the June 4 New Jersey primary on the horizon and the March 25 candidates’ filing deadline less than two weeks away.

The main attention-grabbing political item locally and throughout New Jersey has been the battle between Congressman Andy Kim and Tammy Murphy, wife of N.J. Gov. Phil Murphy, for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate seat likely to be vacated by Sen. Robert Menendez, who is currently under federal indictment on corruption charges and has not filed for reelection. more

SCIENCE BOWL CHAMPS: The Princeton Charter School team will be going to the National Science Bowl for the sixth time next month, after winning the regional competition. Standing in front of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory model stellarator are, from left, Angelica Feng, Asa Fleischer-Graham, Aaron Wang, Rohan Srivastava, Joshua Huang, and Coach Laura Celik. (Photo by Michael Livingston/PPPL Department of Communications)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton Charter School (PCS), for the sixth time in seven years, has won the regional competition for the National Science Bowl  and will compete in the National Science Bowl National Finals in Washington, D.C., from April 25 to 29.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the National Science Bowl brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete in a fast-paced question-and-answer contest where they solve technical problems and answer questions from a range of disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth and space sciences, physics, and math. more

“TWO CITIES, ONE GARDEN”: Mercer County Community College’s urban gardens display at the Philadelphia Flower Show won a gold medal for the second straight year and the fourth time since 2017. (Photo courtesy of Mercer County Community College)

By Donald Gilpin

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) horticulturalists have brought home a gold medal from the Philadelphia Flower Show for the second year in a row.

Their “Two Cities, One Garden” display of urban gardens at the Pennsylvania Convention Center March 2-10 was inspired by “the vibrant community gardens” of Trenton and Philadelphia, according to project overseer Amy Ricco, professor and coordinator of MCCC’s Horticulture, Plant Science, and Sustainability program. more

By Donald Gilpin

As spring and the likely end of the season for high numbers of respiratory diseases approaches, influenza activity locally and throughout the state remains high, but health officials are hopeful that this year’s numbers may have peaked in February.

“The trajectory for influenza has decreased in the past week,” wrote Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center Epidemiologist David J. Herman in a March 5 email. “If this pattern holds, we may have seen the peak of this year’s influenza season.” He noted that flu activity remains high in all New Jersey counties, but he pointed out that a tripledemic — flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — “was not apparent, since all three viruses did not peak at the same time.”

He added, “COVID-19 cases continue in a slow decline both locally and statewide.” more

ITALY-PHS EXCHANGE: Laura Francolino, Princeton High School (PHS) Italian teacher and organizer of the recent PHS exchange visit with 35 students from Carpi, Italy, prepares for last month’s “History of Pizza in New Jersey” event, which took place at PHS for the students and their host families. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Public Schools)

By Donald Gilpin

Learning another language is a worthy endeavor, but Princeton High School (PHS) students who participated in an Italian exchange program — travel to Italy last fall and hosting a return visit last month by students from Italy and their teachers — were able to add several dimensions to the educational experience.

“I greatly appreciated the opportunity to stay with another family in Italy and to host two of my friends that I made on the trip here in Princeton,” wrote PHS eleventh grader Max Mazo in an email. “Living with an Italian family for a week gave me not only the opportunity to explore and learn the language, but also to temporarily integrate myself into the beautiful daily life and traditions of Carpi.” more

By Donald Gilpin

The photograph on the overhead screen showed a touching image of a loving parent and child, as Dr. Renee D. Boynton-Jarrett, a practicing pediatrician, social epidemiologist, Princeton University graduate, and associate professor at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, asked for responses from the overflow gathering of about 80 in the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) Robertson Hall lecture room on Friday afternoon, March 1.

“It epitomizes a lot of what I’ve focused my career on,” she said. “How can we create a world where all children are safe and loved, with caregivers and families that feel supported by their environment, and their society provides this nurturing with warmth and safety?” more

By Donald Gilpin

“Sustainability,” “resiliency,” “stormwater control,” and “flood mitigation” are words appearing with great frequency in current media and engineering studies, and a look at descriptions of infrastructure projects underway in Princeton reveals the predominance of these environmental concerns.

The February 26 Municipality of Princeton newsletter reports on plans to replace six old and out-of-date storm drains (culverts) in town. The project is in the early design stages and may take a year or two before it is completed.  more

“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”: Princeton High School (PHS) students are rehearsing for their upcoming musical production, running March 14 to 16 at the PHS Performing Arts Center. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Public Schools)

By Donald Gilpin

Princeton High School (PHS) and Princeton Middle School (PMS) are offering a rich assortment of performing arts and cultural enrichment in the coming weeks, starting next weekend with Mary Poppins JR. at PMS March 7 to 10, the 17th Annual Asian Festival at PHS on March 8, and Beauty and the Beast at PHS the following weekend, March 14 to 16.

The Asian Festival, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the PHS New Gym, is a collaboration of the Mandarin and Japanese language classes, the Asian American Club, Chinese Club, Korean Club, Japanese Club, Bollywood Dance Club, and Chai Club. more

By Donald Gilpin

This Friday, March 1, the Princeton Fire Department (PFD) will be adding a valuable piece of equipment to its toolkit of resources used in fighting fires. In a 10:30 a.m. presentation at the Princeton Firehouse on Witherspoon Street across from the Municipal Building, Polestar of Princeton, a Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer, will be donating an electric vehicle fire blanket to the PFD and demonstrating how to use it.

“This looks like an excellent tool to safely extinguish an EV vehicle fire,” said Princeton Department of Emergency and Safety Services Director Michael Yeh. “When an EV vehicle is on fire, firefighters would cover the vehicle with the blanket, effectively covering the vehicle and depriving it of air while smothering the fire.” more

SUMMER DAYS AT NASSAU SWIM CLUB: Princeton University has informed the Nassau Swim Club (NSC) that it will be terminating its lease agreement with the club in April. Unhappy to see the closure of their pool in the woods between the Graduate College and the Institute for Advanced Study, NSC members are continuing to challenge the decision. (Photo courtesy of Nassau Swim Club)

By Donald Gilpin

After more than 50 years of welcoming swimmers to its pool in the woods off Springdale Road, the Nassau Swim Club (NSC) has received notice that Princeton University is terminating its lease as of April 23.

Though faced by the challenges of declining membership and a variety of financial setbacks over the past decade, the NSC remains a much loved Princeton institution, and the current members and their families are not going to go away quietly.

“Tell Princeton University that Nassau Swim Club is Worth Saving!” reads a change.org petition, posted by the NSC board, that by the morning of February 20 had gained more than 460 signatures in less than a week. “NSC is a beloved summertime tradition for many people and its loss will be felt deeply, in Princeton and beyond,” the petition states, describing NSC as “an important community asset.” more

TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION: Kopp’s Cycle, in Princeton since 1891 and on Spring Street since 1989, has been bought by Princeton Property Partners, which is looking for partners and planning to reignite the business while preserving Kopp’s proud tradition.

By Donald Gilpin

Kopp’s Cycle on Spring Street, the oldest continually running bike store in the country, has been bought by Princeton Property Partners (PPP). They are looking forward to a reopening this spring in time for the cycling season.

PPP has purchased the business and the property, and as it looks for possible partners in the enterprise, it will be making a few changes in carrying on the proud Kopp’s tradition that dates back to 1891. more