GOP meets tonight

By: centraljersey.com
Hopewell Valley Republicans will meet tonight (March 3) at 7 p.m. in the second floor conference room of The Straube Center, 108 W. Franklin Ave., Pennington. The public is invited. Mark Iorio, township Republican chairman and former deputy mayor, will be on hand to welcome participants. Agenda items will include the annual Spring Breakfast, April 9, at Barone’s Tuscany Grill in Pennington. Tickets will be available soon. "We have a very full schedule of events this year," said President Mike Chipowsky, "and we welcome local residents to join us." In case of inclement weather, call Mr. Chipowsky after 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting at 737-8869 for an update.
CHS scholarship applications
Hopewell Valley Central High School’s local scholarship applications will be available on the school website today (March 3). No applications will be accepted after 8 a.m. on March 17. There will be no exceptions.
Cancer fundraiser
Chris Amaro of Pennington Fit Body Boot Camp has launched March’s "Go Pink, Again! Boot Camp for Breast Cancer" fundraiser, which will work to raise $200 for the YWCA Princeton Breast Cancer Resource Center to support women and families affected by breast cancer. The boot camp will be held through Wednesday, March 30, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:45 and 7:30 a.m. at 55 Route 31, Building C, in Pennington, inside Motion Gymnastics. Activities will include total-body interval workouts, cardio training and core emphasis for 45 minutes to burn fat and tone "problem areas" of the body. Participants in the 21-day rapid fat loss program will receive unlimited boot camp and virtual coaching access and cardio and nutrition programs. Ms. Amaro can be contacted at 877-250-9423 for more information.
VOICES event
The 65 singers of VOICES Chorale and Sotto Voce, its chamber group, will present a selection of classical favorites on March 18 at 8 p.m. at the Pennington Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Main St. The event will include selections by Mozart, Brahms, Bizet, Gilbert & Sullivan, Edward Elgar, Giovanni Palestrina, Josef Rheinberger, and Randall Thompson. Music in this concert is among the favorites of singers for different reasons – a good tune, magical mood, intense drama, beautiful vocal phrases. All tickets can be bought online at www.VOICESChorale.org, by leaving a message at 637-9383, or at the door. The church is handicapped-accessible.
Zoo program set
The community is invited to meet the Popcorn Park Zoo/Associated Humane Societies on March 19 at 11 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, Calvary Baptist Church , 3 E. Broad St., Hopewell. Learn from about the zoo, the animals, the shelter and the many programs and ways in which individuals can help. Learn how to be a responsible pet owner and how to help animals in need of care. Anyone who attends is asked to bring pet supply items, pet food, cleaning supplies ,old towels, blankets, etc. for the zoo. A complete list of items needed is at the church office or call 466-1880 for more information.
Consignment sale
Your Child and Mine is hosting its biannual children’s consignment sale on March 25-26 at the Princeton Community Church, I-95 and Route 31 N. Check out the website at www.yourchildandmine for more information.
Tax help offered
During the months of February and March, Rider University accounting students will offer free tax help through the Internal Revenue Services’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for low to moderate income individuals and senior citizens. Sessions will be held in the Bart Luedeke Center, Room 14 (located next to the Rider Bookstore on the bottom floor) on the Lawrenceville campus on: March 3, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; and March 5, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. Donald Shaw, adjunct professor of accounting and coordinator of the volunteer effort, said student volunteers must have successfully completed an upper-level taxation course and two January training courses. Tax returns are prepared using professional software on laptops. Individuals seeking assistance should bring pertinent tax documents such as W2 forms, interest statements, copies of last year’s return as well as any IRS tax item received in the mail.
Piano forum
The Piano Teachers Forum will meet March 4 at 9:30 a.m. with coffee at 9 a.m. The program, "Twenty-First Century Music," will be presented by Paul Moravec. The meeting will be held at the regular meeting place, Jacobs Music on Route 1 in Lawrence Township. A Pulitzer prize winner, Mr. Moravec, has composed over 100 works for the orchestral, chamber, choral, lyric, film and operatic genres. For directions and more information about the forum, call Jean Parsons at 921-1510. Nonmembers are welcome for a $10 fee at the door.
Networking breakfast
On March 16, Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Hopewell Valley Chapter will hold a Networking Breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Pennington First Aid Squad, 110 Broemel Place, Pennington. Visit the Chamber website at www.mercerchamber.org for further details and updates and to register and pay online, or call the Chamber Office at 689-9960.
Hopewell churches slate retreat
The women of the Hopewell United Methodist Church and Second Calvary Baptist Church invite all women to attend their annual retreat in Ocean City from April 8-10. The topic is "Living in the Present Moment," presented by the Rev. Gerri Fowler of Balm in Gilead Ministries. Cost is $158 per person, based on two-women/room. It includes accommodations at The Port-O-Call oceanfront resort, retreat registration and two buffet breakfasts. Single rooms also available. Contact Ellie Furlong at 466-8728 immediately for information or reservations.
RAVE Walk set
The Zonta Club of Trenton/Mercer is sponsoring its 11th annual RAVE (Rape and Violence Eradication) Walk on April 30 in Veterans Park, Hamilton. Registration is at 9:15 a.m. Kick-off is at 10 a.m. Registration fee is $10. Proceeds will benefit Womanspace and Domestic Violence Victim Response and Sexual Assault Teams. Contact Marlene Lynch, 902-4885; Linda Ordini, 947-1614; or visit www.zontatrenton.org for more details.
NAMI Connection
NAMI Connection is a support group for people who are affected by mental illness. It meets the first, second, third and fourth Monday of every month at the NAMI Center of Mercer County, 3371 Brunswick Pike, Suite 124 (adjacent to Mercer Mall) in Lawrenceville. Registration is not required. Questions? Contact Erika Reading at 799-8994 or [email protected].
Valley Chorus
The Hopewell Valley 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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Camp open houses
Rambling Pines Day Camp will host open houses on 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.