Princeton Today: Sand Mandala

Sand Mandala PrincetonThe sand mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition involving the creation and destruction of mandalas made from colored sand. They are unique to Tibetan Buddhism and are believed to effect purification and healing. Monks begin construction of the sand mandala by consecrating the site with sacred chants and music. Next, they make a detailed drawing from memory. Over a number of days, they fill in the design with millions of grains of colored sand. At its completion, the mandala is consecrated. The monks then enact the impermanent nature of existence by sweeping up the colored grains and dispersing them in flowing water.

Monks from the Sera Monastery in India are building a sand mandala this week near the entrance of East Pyne Hall at Princeton University. You can watch them at work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 24.

WEATHER

Scattered showers and a high of 68.

EVENTS

Princeton Flu Shot Clinic and Health Fair – Flu shots and other immunizations are available. Vaccines for pneumonia, pertussis, or shingles are also available. There may be additional costs associated with the additional vaccines. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for seniors, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m for everyone. Suzanne Paterson Center, 1 Monument Drive, Princeton. Appointments are required. To make an appointment call (609) 924-7108. Flu shots are free with a Medicare part B card, and many other insurances. You do not have to be a Princeton resident. Stay for the health fair full of free screenings and  information. Or if you don’t need a flu shot, come just for the fair. This year’s screenings will include balance, hearing, vision, blood pressure and more. The health fair is co-sponsored by Princeton HealthCare System and individual practitioners. There will also be a drop-in make-up clinic, with flu vaccine only, on Wed., October 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Monument Hall for any age.

Got Teens? Rethinking The Talk With Your Teen – A candid conversation led by nationally recognized health and sexuality experts Logan Levkoff, Ph.D. and Jennifer Wider, MD., for their discussion of their new book “Got Teens.”.  As children are coming of age in the days of Instagram, twerking, and HPV vaccines, the traditional health-ed class is no longer sufficient.  The discussion will feature topics such as 5 Things You Need To Speak with Your Tween/Teen about Now and reframing “The Talk”.  Recently featured on Good Morning America and CNN, Dr. Levkoff and Dr. Wider will provide valuable informative and entertaining conversation. Sponsored by Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County, Adath Israel Congregation, Congregation Beth Chaim, Corner House, HiTOPS, The Jewish Center and Trinity Counseling Services. The luncheon will take place at Greenacres Country Club in Lawrenceville beginning with hors d’oeuvres at 11:30 AM, followed by lunch with speakers and Q & A session at noon. Admission $40 per person.

How to Write a Hoax Poem – Poet Kevin Young will present the lecture “How to Write a Hoax Poem” at 4:30 p.m. in the Stewart Theater at Princeton University, 185 Nassau St. Free and open to the public.

Screening of the French Film “Va, vis et deviens” – Rockefeller College and the Department of French and Italian at Princeton University will screen “Va, vis et deviens (Live and Become)” as part of a French film series at 7 p.m. in the Rockefeller College Theater. The 2005 film explores the difficulty of being a minority within a minority. Screenings are in French with English subtitles. Free.

Islam, Jihad and the Question of Modern Violence – Shaykh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, a faculty member at Zaytuna College in California, will speak on “Islam, Jihad and the Question of Modern Violence” at 7 p.m.in Robertson Hall, Bowl 1, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University. The talk is sponsored by the Muslim Life Program in the Office of Religious Life. Free.

Kyle Abraham Performs Pavement – Based on John Singleton’s 1991 film “Boyz N the Hood” and the writings of W.E.B.DuBois, Pavement uses dance to probe violence, paying comedic homage to the backward jeans and high top fade era in Hip-Hop while reflecting on the growth and loss of Pittsburgh’s historically black neighborhoods. 7:30 p.m., McCarter Theatre, Berlind. 91 University Place.

COMMUTE

Update, 7:58 a.m. – County Route 601 is closed between East Mountain Rd & Dutchtown Harlingen Rd (Rt 604) for due to an accident.

Route 518 between Canal Road and Carroll Place is down to one lane, with alternating traffic weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The speed limit in the construction area has been reduced to 35 miles per hour. Starting Nov. 10, the road will be closed with a detour in place. Starting Nov. 24, the road will be closed with a detour weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The work is part of a long-term project that will be completed by the end of 2015. Delays should be expected. Motorists should exercise extra caution in the area and follow posted detours during times of closure.

In Princeton, Hunter Road has been between Lafayette and Westcott due to a water main break. There has been no update from the town on whether the road has been reopened. Police said Friday it would be closed until further notice.

Blackwell Road between Federal City Road and Cold Soil Road will remain closed to through traffic 24 hours a day until the repaving project is completed.