5 Things You Need to Know About This Weekend

Here are five local events happening this weekend that you need to know about:

Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon – Valentine Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

The PTO of Slackwood Elementary School will hold its Valentine Pancake Breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 12, in the cafeteria of the school at 2060 Princeton Pike. Tickets will be available at the door as follows: $8 for the first child accompanied by an adult; $6 for each additional child with the same adult; and $5 for each adult. With paid admission, each child receives a Valentine picture and tickets for some of the many crafts and activities that will be offered. A flyer for the event can be downloaded here.

Saturday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Science and Inventions Fair

Lawrence Intermediate School will host its second annual Science and Inventions Fair from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the school at 66 Eggerts Crossing Rd. Projects will be organized by grade level and prizes awarded. There will also be various demonstrations and events “for the whole family to enjoy.”

Saturday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Artists Reception

Lawrenceville Main Street Artists Network will host its monthly “2nd Saturday” artists reception from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, at the art gallery at 2683 Main St. (also known as Route 206 or Lawrence Road). In honor of Valentine’s Day, and “all things romantic,” the theme of the event will be “Seeing Red.” Artists whose work will be featured included: Carine Fram, William McCarroll, Christina Peckham, Michelle Rosenthal, and Gerry Sternberg. The event is free to the public. Sparkling cider and chocolate will be served, accompanied by live music. Phone: (609) 512-1359.

Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Mercer Bucks Israel Festival

Adath Israel Congregation at 1958 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206) will host the annual Mercer Bucks Israel Festival on Sunday, Feb. 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. On hand will be music, exhibitors, college study and travel programs, teen Israel programs, Middle Eastern food demonstrations and Israeli product vendors. At 1:30pm, Deputy Consul General of Israel Raslan Abu Rukun will speak. Phone: (609) 896-4977.

Sunday, 2 p.m. – Trenton Children’s Chorus

In honor of Black History Month, the Trenton Children’s Chorus will sing at the Lawrence headquarters of the Mercer County Library 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13. Refreshments will be served. Registration is suggested. The library is located at 2751 Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1) at the corner of East Darrah Lane. Phone: (609) 989-6920.

Okay, so these aren’t taking place this weekend and their inclusion here contradicts the “5 Things” headline, but the following are important upcoming events that you should know about and pencil into your calendars. Consider this a bonus “5 Things.”

Tuesday, Feb. 15 –

Redistricting and the shift of political power from the northeast part of New Jersey to the central and southern areas will be the topic of a two-hour public forum to be held beginning at 7 p.m. on Feb. 15 at Conant Hall at Educational Testing Service at 660 Rosedale Rd. in Lawrence Township.

Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Relay for Life Kick-Off Celebration

Relay for Life of Lawrence Township will hold a “Kick-off Celebration” in the Commons at Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 23. A fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the Relay for Life is described as “a life-changing event that brings community together with the common goal of eliminating cancer. [At the relay] teams of people take turns walking around a track – with every step, we are helping save lives.” The second annual Lawrence Township Relay for Life will be held at the high school from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on May 20.

Saturday, Feb. 26 – Nature Walk

Naturalist Rick Dutko will host a walk through Drexel Woods during which he will discuss the many different types of trees and how to identify them. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26 from the Lawrence Nature Center at 481 Drexel Ave.

Sunday, Feb. 27 – Historical Presentation

Lawrence Township Historian Dennis P. Waters will give a presentation about the two trolley lines that operated in the township between 1899 and 1940. His talk, which will be accompanied by historical photographs, will take place during the annual meeting of the Lawrence Historical Society to be held at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the Commons at Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike. The meeting, which is open to the public, will also feature a birthday cake celebrating Lawrence Township’s 314th Birthday.

Monday, Feb. 28 – Magic Show

Magician John Carlson will perform from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Lawrence headquarters of the Mercer County Library at 2751 Brunswick Pike. The show, which is geared for all ages, will feature magic, ventriloquism and even a bunny. Registration, which is required, can be done by phone at (609) 882-9246.