Week in Review, Book Sale, Mayoral Debate and More

PPPL Wins $12.25 Million Grant

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has won a $12.25 competitive grant to develop computer codes to simulate a key component of the plasma that fuels fusion energy, the Laboratory announced on Monday. The five-year award could produce software that helps researchers design and operate facilities to create fusion as a clean and abundant source of energy for generating electricity.

UPDATE: Eno Terra Expected to Reopen Tuesday

Eno Terra is expected to reopen for lunch on Tuesday after a kitchen fire Sunday evening caused the eatery to be evacuated. Eno Terra owners Carlo and Raoul Momo said the quick actions of first responders prevented the restaurant from suffering extensive damage.  Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the kitchen and there were no injuries. 

Hospitals, churches, private schools and non-profit agencies could someday be exempt from local zoning regulations if legislation currently before the New Jersey State Assembly becomes law, officials say. It’s all because of A2586, a bill that would exempt private universities and colleges from land use law – allowing those schools to develop without zoning constraints or review by local planning boards.

There’s no shortage of readers and academics in Princeton so the hot ticket in town may have been the 2012 Friends of the Princeton Public Library Book Sale last weekend. All money raised (minus expenses) will go to the library to purchase new materials. Despite municipal funding, the library receives its entire budget to buy materials from the Friends of the Princeton Public Library, said Eve Niedergang, co-chair of this year’s sale. Last year, the sale netted a little over $30,000, she said.

The two candidates vying for Mayor of a consolidated Princeton were cordial and respectful to each other at their first and only debate on Tuesday, but clearly outlined how they differ from one another. The election is between Democrat Liz Lempert, 43, and Republican Dick Woodbridge, 68.