Princeton Today: Communities of Light

Womanspace luminariesMercer County residents will light candles at dusk to celebrate the 13th annual  Womanspace Communities of Light night.

Thousands of candles will sparkle as Mercer County residents unite to illuminate streets, walkways, businesses, churches and community centers  as a message of hope for survivors of domestic violence & sexual assault.

Proceeds from the event enable Womanspace to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families, ensuring that no victim is ever turned away. Services include emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, victim assistance, and transitional housing.

Founded over 30 years ago, Womanspace Inc. is the only non-profit agency serving victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Mercer County.

Luminary kits are $10 and can still be purchased from several businesses in Mercer County, including McCaffrey’s, Terhune Orchards, and Great Looks for Less Hair Salon.

WEATHER

Partly sunny, high of 38.

EVENTS TODAY

Princeton Flu Clinic  – Flu shots for those with health insurance & free flu shots for all uninsured Princeton residents ages 12 and older. No out-of-pocket costs are associated with the flu vaccine if you are covered by the following insurances: Medicare-Part B, Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal, United Healthcare Insurance Co., Horizon NJ Direct, CVS Caremark, Oxford (UHC), AmeriHealth, Tricare, Aetna or Cigna. All Princeton resident not covered by insurance will be able to get a flu shot, free of charge. Information on how to obtain health insurance will be also be provided to those interested.  Monument Hall, One Monument Drive, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.

JamesMcgreeveyFormer Governor James McGreevey Visits Princeton University – Former New Jersey Governor James McGreevey will discuss redemption and transformation during two events today. McGreevey is executive director of the Jersey City Employment and Training Program, which counsels former inmates on returning to society. The documentary “Fall to Grace,” based on McGreevey’s former life, will be shown at noon in McCormick Hall, Room 101, in the Princeton University Art Museum, followed by a question-and-answer session. At 4:30 p.m. McGreevey will give a talk about “Prisoner Reentry: Breaking the Cycle,” at McCosh Hall, Room 50.

Author Robin Bernstein Discusses “Fun Home” – Author, cultural historian and Harvard University professor Robin Bernstein will give a talk “‘I’m proud to be part of the reality-based community’: How Alison Bechdel’s `Fun Home’ Uses Digital Photography and Performance to Counter the Post-Reality of George W. Bush” at noon, in Room 207, 185 Nassau St.

How New Technologies Can Transform Government – Aneesh Chopra, co-founder and executive vice president at Hunch Analytics and former U.S. chief technology officer, will discuss his new book,”Innovative State: How New Technologies Can Transform Government,” at 4:30 p.m. in Robertson Hall, Room 016, at Princeton University. A book sale and signing will follow his discussion.

Community Messiah Sing at the Princeton University Chapel – The Princeton University Chapel will present its annual community sing of Handel’s “Messiah,” with organ, strings and trumpet accompaniment, at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel. Bring a score or borrow one.

frosty snowman MontgomeryMontgomery Township Holiday Singalong – Annual tree lighting featuring the music of Pastor Tony GodLefski. He will provide music on the piano and accordion, and lead everyone in song. He will also be teaching the children (and adults) some simple festive dances. Assisting Pastor Tony will be Steve Heckel, a musician, and choir member at the Montgomery United Methodist Church on Sunset Road in Belle Mead.  7 p.m. Otto Kaufman Community Center (senior center entrance). The event will also feature a visit from Frosty the Snowman and there will be plenty of hot chocolate and cookies for everyone!! Remember to bring a camera and flashlight. The bulk of activity will be inside the center but please dress for weather for the tree lighting. 356 Skillman Rd., Skillman,

Rick BlackPoets in the Library – Featured poets Rick Black and Jill Stein read from their work followed by an open-mic session at the Princeton Public Library. Black’s poetry collection, “Star of David,” won Poetica magazine’s 2012 poetry chapbook contest. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and he has garnered several international awards for his haiku poetry. Stein’s poetry has been in Poetry Northwest, Seattle Review, West Branch, MacGuffin, Pearl, U.S. 1 Worksheets, Poets On, Nebraska Review, Rattle, and Soujourner among other publications. She has received three NJ State Council on the Arts Grants for poetry. 7:30 p.m.

COMMUTE

Road construction is scheduled to begin today on Hopewell Wertsville Road between Mountain Church Road and Featherbed Lane. The road will be closed to traffic between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays. Cars will be directed to use Featherbed Lane, Van Dyke Road and Mountain Church Road for the detour. Trucks will be advised to use Route 31/202 and Route 518. This project is expected to last approximately two weeks.