Simple Serve

Learning is a process. A project is a process -the process is the key. So the point is that it is the "do-now" that one needs to focus upon. If a project were broken down into parts, it can have a focus in each phase. It needs your attention to detail. While a person learns and gathers the information and gets to understand a point, there is a moment of taking it in, breathing in.  The mandala making monks of Tibet who came from Hubli, Karnataka had this to teach today at the Princeton Center for Yoga and Health. They are mindful of creating the beauty in the Mandala- they focus on the process. The process consists of making a draft of the Mandala, using colored sand, pouring it into the cones with holes at the ends. Then you inhale and exhale lightly, settle down by bending into a comfortable position and start tapping the sand onto the design. You orchestrate your hands to move the cone a few millimeters a second to create the pattern- and all this while c

This is a project to encourage Seniors and eligible Juniors at the High Schools to vote during election time in the Fall. The process involves the following steps that can be taken on by volunteers at the High School: 1. Bring the registration papers to their focus and help them become voters.  This process involves getting in touch with the high school authorities to take permission, publicize about the sign-up program and be ready to register the students during school hours. 2. Another aspect of this process would be to create videos to explain the mechanics of voting and the importance of it on how to do it while in the voting booth. 3. An added initiative would be- if most students are going to be in college the following year, then they will need to be made aware of the process of voting by mail. All this in an effort to boost civic participation at a young age.

There has been much said about the quality of the Cafeteria food in the public school lunches. Have you wondered why it is an issue? Have you thought there could be alternatives to what you and all your friends are eating everyday? If so, find out more. Sue Sheff writes  here  about all that is wrong with our food in the schools. The Lance Armstrong foundation supports this venture. It is a great way to find your element and balance to better health. This involves getting in touch with the school authorities, taking necessary permissions to enable the project, write proposal and seek approval. The venture can be published at the local newspaper as well. One aspect of it would be to detail the sources of food being served. Who the caterers are, how far is the location of food, what is the carbon footprint of the food being served? In addition, the nutrition value of the food can also be a case for study.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/opinion/sunday/the-art-of-distraction.html An Excerpt: "An appeal to the pseudo-certainties of science might seem finally to settle any question. But this is a moral issue rather than a scientific one; values are at stake here — not facts. It is in the irritating human realm where the interesting difficulties are, and where one might have to really think about and deal with an individual’s history, circumstances and reactions. It is the attempted standardization of a human being and of a notion of achievement that is limiting, prescriptive and bullying." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STYU-iz8bUQ&feature=player_embedded Jill Vialet and play to make progress. http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=65656 on deadlines kill creativity

 Historic Documents of Skillman Village Any towns' building plans (many more than 80 years old) need to be cataloged and properly stored.  The Township Planning Director and Engineer will work closely with a scout to undertake this important task. You could contact the following people:  Municipal Representative: Lori Savron, Planning Director email:   LSavron@twp.montgomery.nj.us or 908-359-8211 ext. 206 Under this category is to research historic cemetery at NPDC/Skillman Village The idea is to research and document the historic cemetery at the North Princeton Developmental Center (now known as Skillman Village ).  The Township has many old documents that need to be reviewed so that a compendium of those buried there – perhaps with a brief history – can be assembled.  It is critical that this history not be lost.  The Township now owns this cemetery and will care for it until a future time when it may be transferred to another entity.  The document th

Back to Tap Encourage residents to reduce the number of disposable water bottles used and thrown into the trash in Montgomery .  Ask residents to switch from bottled water to tap water, to use reusable water bottles when possible and to recycle.  Publicize the quality of tap water (Elizabethtown/NJ American Water can provide data).  Educate residents on health reusable bottles, for example, plastic BPA-free bottles, stainless steel and glass.  See www.back2tap.com for more information. Municipal Representative : Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or 908-359-8211 ext. 343 Improve Recycling in Montgomery Township Visit the Somerset County Recycling center, research businesses not recycling, work with the Montgomery Township Recycling Coordinator and Montgomery Sustainability Committee to send letters to those businesses, track success, encourage residential recycling.  Participants will learn how the NJ recycling

Heart Health Fair Organize and carry out a Heart Health fair during the month of February (Heart Month) at the Otto Kauffman Community Center .    Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Health Officer  email: Scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us  or 908-359-8211 ext. 245 Great American Smoke Out Organize and carry out an event related to the Great American Smoke Out in November for awareness of the dangers of smoking. Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Health Officer email:  Scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us  or 908-359-8211 ext. 245 Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Screenings for Fathers Organize and carry out a Father/Son baseball game in which cholesterol and blood pressure screenings are available to the fathers. Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Health Officer email: Scarey@twp.montgomery.nj.us  or (908) 359-8211 ext. 245 Blood Drive Organize and carry out a Blood Drive . Municipal Representative: Stephanie Carey, Hea

English/Spanish Bike Safety Brochure Develop a brochure on bicycle safety in Spanish and English for use at the Princeton English as a Second Language Class. Municipal Representative: Sarah Roberts, Pedestrian Committee Chair email:   kops-and-robs@comcast.net or (908) 359-4837 Pathway Distance Work with the Open Space/Pathways Committee to determine the length of all pathways in the Township.  The scout could also erect mile markers on trees or stakes. Municipal Representative: Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or 908-359-8211 ext. 343 Interpretive Signs on School Link and Canal/Boardwalk Trails Research the information that should be displayed on interpretive signs that are required by the DEP for two public trails. Township will cover expenses for the fabrication of the signs. Municipal Representative: Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or 908

at the newark museum Guidelines  for Boy Scout Eagle Award & Girl Scout Gold Award Leadership Projects in M ontgomery Township Neighborhood Pathways Outreach Create a pathway/open space education project targeted to residents that live near a particular property/pathway (i.e. Woodsedge and Yorkshire Woods residents who live near several Township-owned properties and trails).  The Open Space Committee thought it would be useful for the scouts to make the residents aware of the property, as well as serving to inform them of rules about littering and motorized vehicles.  This education to neighbors could be in the form of flyers and/or a door-to-door campaign.  The Township has materials such as maps, but the scouts could do research on what sorts of animals use the areas as habitat, benefits of open space, pathways as exercise etc. Municipal Representative: Lauren Wasilauski, Open Space Coordinator email:   LWasilauski@twp.montgomery.nj.us or

I look at what's out there to volunteer for and update the blog. The blog is like a clearinghouse for projects. The sources I get my info from are the library, the community centers, the senior centers, educational institutions and the municipal office in Montgomery. It is one thing to be a part of the community and it is another matter to belong and be social in it. The blog is about creating and talking about projects that the community and especially the youth can be involved in for community service. Many High Schools do not have community service as a requirement for credit but it is a useful way to occupy a mind, involve in helping others and more than anything else- being part of the society in which one already belongs. Here you will find many ideas for projects that can be taken up. ********************************** number of the day 582,000 on 2/15/12 That's how many young people raised their hands -not just that- but applied to serve in the community.