By Bradley Koltz
It’s amazing how you can live in a community for years, and still learn new things about places you regularly patronize. I had that experience a few weeks ago.
My wife and I both have pretty demanding careers and at least once or twice a week it takes a real effort to both be at home to eat dinner with our teenagers, never mind cook dinner.
Pizza or subs are great for the kids, but I gain three pounds just thinking about a hoagie. We were recently eating in one of our favorite spots, Main Street Bistro at the Princeton Shopping Center, and got to discussing how great it would be if they did take out. We’d be able to put a tasty meal on the table that also featured a side dish with actual vegetables, and choose from a selection that satisfied the kids and us.
So we asked the waitress about take out, and low and behold, we learned that they do indeed offer take out. I know this is a small thing in the grand scheme of the universe, but for us it’s become a wonderful game changer.
Check out their menu online at http://www.mainstreetprinceton.com/bistro/index.html.
Kids. Camps. Action!
Packet Media Group has been hosting the region’s largest and best camp expo for 14 years, and we’re doing it again on Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Westin Hotel at Forrestal Village, just off Route 1. The event is free and it’s fun.
If you have kids and are looking for fun and/or educational activities for them, this is the place to be. We have dozens of booths with schools, camps (local and sleep away) and many other family oriented organizations.
There are demonstrations, a DJ, balloons, clowns, and lots to see and do for the kids, too. The first 500 attendees get a free tote bag filled with goodies.
Avoid the line at the entrance by going to our website, www.centraljersey.com/camps and signup for free VIP pre-registration.
Pop-Up Valentine
On Feb. 4, twine. in Hopewell is holding a Pop-Up Valentine’s class for ages 9 and up. They’ll create a pop-up card and envelope and a little something extra too. It’s from 11:00 12:30 and costs $20. Pre-registration is required, so call 609-466-2425 or stop by 10 E. Broad St., Hopewell.
Congratulations
James E. Kirkpatrick has been named senior vice-president, chief lending officer at Roma Bank in Robbinsville.
”Jim brings extensive commercial lending and credit experience and expertise to our organization, having held operational, tactical and strategic positions as both an executive officer and a consultant to our industry,” said bank President and CEO Peter Inverso. “I am pleased to have him join our senior management team.”
Water, Water
WSW Delivery offers direct-to-your door water delivery for residences and businesses throughout the Princeton area. They offer a choice of Poland Spring or Deer Park water, and plans start as low as $13.98 per delivery period. Rent or purchase the cooler of your preference from three available styles or provide your own. For more info, go to www.wswdelivery.com or call 1-800-624-0081.
Free and spine tingling
Evans Chiropractic in Bordentown is offering free services for one day only. Doctors there will be donating their services to all new clients on Feb. 20. You’ll need to call for an appointment at 609-298-4299, or visit www.drsevans.net to learn more.
Taste of Pennington
Brandywine Senior Living at Pennington (formerly Stony Brook Assisted Living) located at 143 West Franklin Ave., is hosting the fourth annual “A Taste of Pennington” on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 6:30 8:30 p.m.
Guests can enjoy a taste of menu favorites from Pennington area top chefs. Participating restaurants include: Avanti Ristorante Italiano, Chez Alice Catering Company, Cugino’s Italian Specialties, Dos Gringo’s Southwestern Grill, Emily’s Café & Catering, Pennington Quality Market, Pennington Bagel, Wildflower’s Restaurant and Villa Francesco’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria.
This back-by-popular-demand event is a wonderful way to try neighboring restaurants you may have never tried or enjoy local favorites.
Brandywine Senior Living at Pennington will collect donations ($5 minimum) at the door for the Hopewell Valley Senior Foundation. There’s also a raffle for an iPad. This event is by RSVP only. Please respond to Carolyn before Feb. 4 by calling (609) 730-9922.
Village Bakery open 7 days
Village Bakery on Gordon Avenue in Lawrenceville specializes in artisan breads as well as pastries, custom cakes, cookies and Small World Coffee is now open 7 days a week Monday from 7 a.m. to noon; Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. They also offer catering. Visit or call 609-896-0036 to find out what their customers have known for 40 years.
At Morven
Princeton native Lonni Sue Johnson, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The New York Times, contracted encephalitis in 2007 and suffered severe amnesia as well as a complete loss of artistic productivity. This fascinating show explores the artistic evolution of her work from her pre-professional career through her astounding “recovery art.” The exhibit will run from Jan. 26 through June 3. Call Morven at 609-924-8144 for hours and directions.
Avoid falls
I’ve been hearing about far too many falls taken by friends, coworkers and others lately, so it really caught my attention when I heard that Grout Geeks might have a solution to help avoid these. They specialize in recognizing and remedying potential slip and fall hazards in homes, restaurants, hotels, motels, hospitals, malls, schools and other public and private facilities. They’re local, and have been around since 1998. Get a free estimate by calling them at 732-521-3809 or visiting online at www.groutgeek.com.
Happy 50th
Ace Window Cleaning services is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. They specialize in residential window cleaning, and they’re gearing up for this season, training new employees and ready to go. They can be reached at (800) 773-4403.
A way to lose fat
Learn about CoolSculpting at a seminar presented by the Princeton Center for Plastic Surgery and Medispa at the Hyatt Regency Princeton at the Carnegie Center in Princeton on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (registration starts at 6 p.m.). Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres as you learn about CoolSculpting, a new non-surgical treatment designed to remove fat. Admission is free but space is limited, so RSVP at 609-921-7161.
Rare stencils
Not one but two framed, rare, stenciled, hand colored early 19th century original Pochoir prints, signed by Giovanni Meschini, are now available at Peartree Creations at 876 Route 518 and Vreeland Drive in Skillman. Call 609-924-6252 for more information.
Coming soon
IMPACT Training will be opening soon in Larken Associates’ Hillsborough Business Center at 126 Stryker Lane at the intersection with Raider Blvd. The owners are Hillarie and Michael Scannelli and they’ll be offering personal training, group training, sports training, nutrition and sports nutrition. Find out more online at www.impacttraining-jersey.com.
Jazz up 2012
Jazzercise of East Windsor is offering the opportunity for folks who haven’t attended in the past six months to get back in the groove with a coupon which offers a free intro class and 50 percent off the joining fee. The offer stands through Jan 31. Look for the coupon in the Cranbury Marketplace or visit them online at www.jazzplainsboro-windsors.com. They are located 104 Windsor Center Drive in East Windsor. Call 609-809-3252 to learn more.
Full Snow Moon Dance Party
Celebrate the Full Snow Moon with music by local favorite DJ Aggreschen, and your host Miss Carla, as Karla’s Restaurant in New Hope hosts another Full Moon Dance Party on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 9 p.m. Enjoy dinner featuring American Fusion cuisine from 5:30-10:00 p.m. prepared by head chef Francisco “Poncho” Barrios. There’s no cover charge. Make your reservations by calling 215-862-2612.
Summer already?
Monmouth County Park System’s summer camp/swim activity directory will be available on March 16. Registrations begin March 25. For additional information, contact them at monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-842-4000.
If you’re a local business doing something new, interesting, good for the community, or just want to let our readers know about a new product or service, please contact General Manager Brad Koltz at [email protected].
