Brown bag lunch

By: centraljersey.com
"The Mercer County Office of Aging: What’s it all about?" is the topic for the Jan. 7 Brown Bag luncheon at the Pennington Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Main St. The speaker is Eileen Doremus, director of the county office. The public is invited to attend and bring a sandwich. Beverages and dessert will be furnished. Lunch is at 12:30 p.m. The talk begins at 1 p.m.
Township bulk, brush pickup
The Hopewell Township Public Works Department will resume its Bulk and Brush Pickup programs in January. Dates are: Zone 2, Jan. 10; Zone 3, Jan. 18. To schedule a pickup, call 737-0799, ext. 650, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Christmas trees will be collected (no wreaths) daily in each zone during January. After the January pickup, the trees will be picked up during the normal brush pickup by Zone, weather permitting. Remove all wire and nails from the trees before placing at the curb.
Boot Camp for CASA
Chris Amaro of Fit Body Boot Camp, Pennington, has announced the Jan. 6-Feb. 11 "Frowns Upside Down: Boot Camp for CASA," a fundraiser pledged to raise $400 to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mercer County to ensure that children, suffering from abuse and neglect, are given the support they need to guarantee placement in safe, loving and permanent homes. The fundraiser will take place at 55 Route 31 South, Building C, Pennington. Activities include: total-body exercises, group training, cardio and core training for 45 minutes to burn fat and tone "problem areas" of the body. For more information on how to participate, call 877-250-9423. Or go to: casabootcamp.eventbrite.com .
Chorus begins new season
On Jan. 10, the Hopewell Valley Chorus will hold the first rehearsal for its May concert, "Dona Nobis Pacem." Now in its 51st year, the 60-member unauditioned chorus invites all who love to sing to join in preparing for a concert that will feature settings of the "Dona Nobis Pacem" text by Bach and Mozart, a Gaelic blesssing and other pieces that focus on the idea of peace, including "I Dream a World" (text by Langston Hughes), "Down by the Riverside," and John Lennon’s "Imagine." Under artistic director, Michele Zuckman, the chorus rehearses Mondays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the Chorus Room at Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington-Titusville Road. Membership is $35 per season. For further information, call 737-7960 or e-mail [email protected]. The website is: www.hopewellvalleychorus.org.
Baldpate closings
The Mercer County Park Commission will close Baldpate Mountain to all visitors on select days due to the annual deer management project. Those dates are: Dec. 30-31; Jan. 6-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29 and Feb. 2-5, 9-12. Exact project dates also will be posted on the various gates leading into the area. Note that unauthorized persons entering the area on the above dates not only put themselves at extreme risk, but will also be cited. Questions? Call the Mercer County Park Commission at 989-6559.
Piano forum
The Piano Teachers Forum will meet Jan. 7 at 9:30 a.m. with coffee at 9 a.m. at Jacobs Music on Route 1 in Lawrence Township. The program, "Anatomy and Posture and How Motion Affects Sound," will be presented by Sheila Paige. She will demonstrate how understanding the way the body is designed to move, helps pianists, teachers and students with technique. For directions and more information, call Jean Parsons at 921-1510. Nonmembers are welcome for a $10 fee at the door.
After holidays walk-off set
Here’s a chance to honor to that New Years Resolution to get more exercise! On Jan. 8, join the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park naturalist and historian for a 5-mile walk on the D & R Canal towpath. Registered participants are asked to meet at the Washington Crossing State Park parking lot, located directly off Route 29 in Titusville, at 1 p.m. (right before the bridge crossing over the Delaware River). Start 2011 off on the right foot and enjoy the beauty of the winter season. Contact the Park Office at 924-5705 to register or visit www.dandrcanal.com/programs.html for further information. This program is free. Inclement weather cancels. Registration is required.
Night Out with NAMI
The Bill Charlap Trio will give a benefit performance at the Night Out with NAMI concert/dinner on Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. at the College of New Jersey in Ewing. Featured will be jazz classics based on the music of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and other composers affected by mental illness. To purchase tickets, go to www.namimercer.org or call 799-8994. All proceeds go to sustain the programs and services of NAMI Mercer, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Garden Club meets
The Garden Gate Garden Club of Lawrenceville will meet Jan. 17. Ronald Balint will present "Pre-Spring Activities for Lawns, Gardens, and Planting Beds." The program begins at 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, 2688 Main St. Parking and the entrance is on the left side of the church building. Refreshments will be served. Contact Leeann Shupe at 882-2882 for additional information.
A last look at Christmas
On Jan. 17, VOICES Chorale offers singers one last look at Christmas, at an open rehearsal and sing of highlights from Handel’s Messiah. Singers are invited to observe and take part in a rehearsal and then audition for membership in the chorale, which has two concert series planned for the new year: "Singers’ Favorites: Mozart and Brahms" on March 18 and 20, and "Northern Lights of Scandinavia," music from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, on May 20 and 22. Tenor voices are especially sought, but singers in all voice parts are invited to audition. A few openings in Sotto Voce, VOICES’ chamber chorus, are also available. Weekly rehearsals start again on Jan. 10, 7:30-9:45 p.m., at the Music Together Community Room, 225 Pennington-Hopewell Road (Route 654). Auditions may be arranged for dates other than Jan. 17 by contacting Sandy Duffy at 799-2211, or write to [email protected] for information and to arrange an audition. For additional information, visit www.VOICESChorale.org.
Blood drive set
PEAC Health & Fitness will host its annual American Red Cross Blood Drive on Jan. 24 from 1-7 p.m. PEAC is at 1440 Lower Ferry Road, in Ewing. Persons can donate blood every 56 days, and every unit of blood collected helps three people. The Blood Mobile will be on site to accommodate donors. The drive is open to the public. Bring photo identification, eat a healthy breakfast and drink plenty of fluids before donating. In order to assist in preparation and efficiency, call to schedule an appointment at 883-2000, visit www.peachealthfitness.com or go online to www.redcross.org to register online. For more information, e-mail: [email protected].
YMCA summer camp registration
The Hopewell Valley YMCA is accepting registrations for Summer Camp 2011. The camp is a state-licensed day camp and accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). Campers are offered swim lessons four days a week, weekly trips, snacks, special events and activities. Attend an open house on Jan. 31 at Toll Gate Grammar School from 6:30-8 p.m. Register by Feb. 25 and receive a discount on registration per camper. For more information, call 737-3048, or [email protected]. Also visit: www.hvymca.org. The YMCA operates offices at 62 S. Main St., Pennington.
Robotics Team and course
The Straube Foundation is hosting a Robotics Team, which will meet every Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in room I-19 of building I-108. If interested in robots, this team will make you feel right at home. Beginners are welcome. There is a monthly fee to pay the instructor and maintain the robots. For fee and other information, go to www.straube.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 737-3322.
The foundation will begin a high school-level Robotics course, aimed to teach beginners the basics of robotics using LEGO Mindstorm Robots and modern programming methods, on Jan. 23 from noon-4 p.m. It will run weekly through Feb. 20 for a total of five Sundays. For cost information, to register or for more information, visit www.straube.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 737-3322.
Kindergarten enrichment
The Hopewell Valley After School Program is accepting registrations for a.m. and p.m. kindergarten enrichment taught by licensed teachers. HVASP is licensed by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. Enroll for full weeks, part-time weeks or drop-in care for any kindergarten child attending Bear Tavern Elementary, Stony Brook Elementary, Toll Gate Grammar or Hopewell Elementary. For more information, visit: HVASP.com, e-mail at [email protected] or call 730-1311.
Fellowship group
All community children in grades six-eight are invited to TGIF, an outreach ministry of The Pennington United Methodist Church. TGIF meets two Fridays a month from 7-8:30 p.m. as well as additional times for extra activities. Youth from several churches and those with no church affiliation and are from multiple communities are participating in fellowship, community service and exploring their relationships with God. Questions? Call Carla MacGuigan at 818-9281.
Yoga classes
One Spirit Yoga classes has returned to the Hopewell Railroad Station. Classes are Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Bring yoga mat, a water bottle and a willingness to stretch, relax and let go. For questions, call Nancy McCormack at 609-333-1188.
Valley chorus
The Hopewell Valley Chorus holds weekly rehearsals, 7:30-9:30 p.m., in the Choral Music Room at the ADA-compliant Hopewell Valley Central High School, 259 Pennington-Titusville Road, Pennington. For information, call 737-7960, visit www.hopewellvalleychorus.org or on Facebook.
Memoir Group
The Memoir Group meets the third Thursday of every month at the Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing, 268 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville. Soup and cookies at 12:30 p.m. are followed by shared memoirs. A topic is assigned, but one may write on any topic or just eat and listen. All ages are welcome. Call Howard Bennett at 267-980-6518 for more information.
Hopewell Farmers market
The Hopewell Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. at the Railroad Station, Railroad Place. Shoppers will find Olssons Fine Foods (international cheeses, Griggstown meats, international and local pantry items); Village Bakery (bread, cookies and pastries); North Slope Farm (vegetables and fruits); Highland Gourmet (all-natural beef, fresh mushrooms, homemade baked goods, local honey); WoodsEdge Wool Farm (alpaca and llama fashion); and Guzikowski Eggs (fresh local eggs).
Artists gatherings
Artists gather every Monday night (except the first Monday of the month) to paint and draw from 7:30-9:30. Bring art supplies and a project in mind. Table and chairs provided. This is a free Hopewell Borough recreation program. For information, contact [email protected] or call 466-0277.
Legion Post 339 and auxiliary unit
Hopewell Valley American Legion Post 339 and Auxiliary Unit 339 meetings and events are held now at 16 Seminary Ave., Hopewell Borough. Sal Torre is commander. The unit (auxiliary) president is Joan Garay. For more information, call Joe Kianka, 466-1149.
VFW Post 829
Veterans of Foreign Wars Pennington Post 829 meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Hopewell Township Branch, Mercer County Library, next to CHS. All members and those wishing to become members are invited to attend this meeting. For more information, call Bob Peck at 771-4133.
Buy a Brick for walkway
The Hopewell Valley Veterans Association is seeking donations for personalized memorial bricks that will line the walkway at Alliger Park. Veterans and nonveterans are invited to purchase bricks to honor those who served their country. Bricks can be engraved with up to 15 characters per line (three lines total) and can include years of service, rank, and unit etc. Nonveteran and family bricks may include a family’s name and an expression of appreciation. All donations are tax-deductible. For additional information and to fill out an order form online, visit www.HopewellValleyVeterans.org. Order forms also are available at the Hopewell Township Library near the high school, Hopewell Township Municipal Building lobby, and the three local Post Offices, in Pennington, Hopewell, and Titusville.
Hopewell Fire Auxiliary meetings
The Hopewell Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse, South Greenwood and Columbia avenues, Hopewell. New members are welcome. Contact Membership Chairwoman Mary Anne Van Doren at 466-3060 for more information.
Hopewell Borough Adopt-a-Flag
The Hopewell Fire Department and Emergency Medical Unit is sponsoring an Adopt-a-Flag program. Residents can purchase an American flag through the department. The flags are used to line Broad Street in Hopewell Borough from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If interested, send a check for $30 to the Hopewell Fire Department, 4-6 Columbia Ave, Hopewell, 08525, with Adopt-a-Flag in the memo section. Questions Call the department at 466-0060, ext. 33.
Adopt-a-Flag for Pennington
Through the Adopt-a-Flag program, Public Works employees assist the Pennington Parks and Recreation Commission every spring and fall by hanging flags in honor of veterans, loved ones and citizens. Donations are being accepted for flags to be displayed within the borough from May to September. Purchases and personal dedications can be made by completing an Adopt-a-Flag form, along with a tax-deductible check of $42, which can be found at Borough Hall or on Facebook.
Camp open houses
Rambling Pines Day Camp will host open houses on Jan. 9 and 23, Feb. 6 and 27, March 13 and 27, April 10, and May 1 from 1-3 p.m. Parents and children are invited to attend the open house, tour the facility and meet some of the staff members. Applications are being accepted for the 2011 summer season. Rambling Pines is located on Route 518 in Hopewell Township. For additional information or a brochure, call 466-1212 or log onto www.ramblingpines.com.
Alzheimer’s support
The Alzheimer’s Association offers support group programs for families and caregivers to come together to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and discuss their feelings and concerns. For locations and additional information, call 800-883-1180.
Donations wanted
Those who want to help needy people in Africa and Central America while also helping Union Fire Company and Rescue Squad can donate items for Millennium International Textiles at a collection box at the firehouse on Route 29 in Titusville. Needed items include clothing of all types, linens (bed sheets, blankets, curtains and the like), shoes (no winter boots), accessory items such as handbags, belts, baseball caps, wallets, backpacks and travel bags and hard or soft toys smaller than 14 inches in size. Furniture, large items and tires will not be accepted. In exchange for providing a location for the collection box, Union is paid $150 a month by Millennium International Textiles. Pickups of donations are made on a weekly basis. For more information, call 737-1213.