PACKET PICKS: Sept. 14

Fri., Sept 14
Backyard Astronomy
for teens, adults
   
Backyard Astronomy will be presented from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville. This class will acquaint participants with the celestial sphere and its coordinates, sky maps, constellations/asterisms, and the popular objects viewable from our night sky such as planets and moons, stars, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae, comets, and our Milky Way galaxy.
   Presented by David Letcher and Gene Ramsey of the Amateur Astronomers’ Association of Princeton, the class will be followed by a session of night sky observation at the adjacent AAAP observatory, weather permitting.
   This presentation will be the first installment of a four-session astronomy seminar to be continued on the following three consecutive Friday evenings (Sept. 21 and 28 and Oct. 5). AAAP will issue a certificate of attendance for anyone who participates in all four sessions. Enter the park from the entrance on Bear Tavern Road (Phillips Farm/ Group Camping Entrance) and follow the event signs to the Nature Center. Advanced registration required.
   Attendance is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. An adult must accompany all children. In the event of inclement weather, some programs might be canceled. It is always advisable to call ahead before coming out. Phone: 609-737-0609.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Jersey Jumpers
Swing Dance
   
Central Jersey Dance Society presents Jersey Jumpers Swing Dance at Suzanne Patterson Center, Monument St., Princeton, featuring a live band Slicked Up 9’s. Lesson at 7 p.m with Michael Jagger. Open dancing 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $15. Student with ID $12. Everyone welcome. No partner needed. Light refreshments included. For more information call 609-945-1883 or email [email protected] or visit www.centraljerseydance.org
Marvelous Mosses
for Families
   
Have you ever really looked carefully at moss? Come along with Teacher-Naturalist Anna Leiss to explore the microscopic world of these amazing tiny plants and learn how to incorporate them into your garden. 10-11:30 a.m., Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, Kingsford Community Room, 31 Titus Mill Road Pennington. $5 members/$8 non-members. For more: 609-737-7592.
Stony Brook
walking tour
   
Tour starts at 2 p.m. at Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road, Princeton. Free, with museum admission ($4). The Historical Society of Princeton will lead a walking tour of historic Stony Brook. Following a portion of the trail Washington took from Trenton to the Battlefield, the one hour tour will include stops at the Stony Brook Meeting House and cemetery.
   For more information, call 609-921-6748, ext. 102 or email [email protected]
Sacred Spaces:
Paintings and
Mixed Media
   
Works by Jessie Krause and Eileen Shahbender on display at Stuart’s Considine Gallery, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton. Artists Jessie Krause and Eileen Shahbender draw inspiration from the sacred spaces around them either in the “magical” energy captured by Ms. Krause or the pure beauty of light and color illuminated by Mrs. Shahbender.
   Both painters use vivid color palettes to capture the spirit of the places they paint. Whether outdoors or in some of Krause’s architectural settings, the images reflect the simplicity of the world around us.
   The public is invited to view these artists’ works from Sept. 15 through Nov. 16. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, when school is in session.
   The opening reception is Saturday, Sept. 15, from 1-3 p.m.; art chat Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.