Princeton WannaBe Blog

I'll Follow Any Man That Can ROCK A Bow Tie!
September 30, 2010

and women with POWER hairstyles!

Pictured here is THE Bob Hillier surrounded by fans of Leslie Burger, Winner of the Community Leader Award from Princeton Regional Chamber.

If you've taken a tour, you know we gush about Mr. Hillier's architecture in town and our world class library.  (Not to mention our incredible Chamber, which has landed our Company in the NY Times, Washington Post and Chicago Tribune!  I KNOW!) 

We don't just gush about Mr. Hillier because of the bow ties, he also gave $25,000 to the Library's Centennial Campaign Fund today!  I KNOW!

If you have a few hundred thousand dollars laying in a drawer somewhere, or even in a bank account ..... make the investment that will impact several lifetimes and give to the Princeton Public Library's Centennial Campaign.  Leslie runs the place .... she's the one on the far right of the photo .... you can bet she'll make sure your money goes to programming that supports our ENTIRE community! 

www.princetonlibrary.org

Congrats to Leslie Burger and all the recipients for the Chamber Business Leadership Awards!

What Is A Princeton WannaBe?
September 29, 2010

I don't have an Ivy League education,

I'm not from Princeton

AND 

I'm not a real historian .......

STILL,

 I LOVE Princeton and can't stop gushing about her.

If you love Princeton but sometimes don't feel worthy,

you're a Princeton WannaBe TOO!

True or False .... Woodrow Wilson Made the Students Choose Between Having a Car or Having a Drink?
September 29, 2010

TRUE!

Take a tour and we'll let you know whether the students voted to have automobiles on campus or hard liquor!

WHERE in Princeton did Woodrow Wilson sign women to vote?

WHEN did he try to shut down the Eating Clubs?

HOW did he use his Princeton connections to become President of the United States?

WHY do I ask so many questions?  I don't know but if you want to know the answers, take a tour with us soon!

Man, Just When I Thought I Was Coo Coo For A Cause ....
September 28, 2010

Meet Steve Kruse ....

Clearly, he likes to bike .....

What you may not know:

He likes it when you bike ....

He likes it when you promote biking ....

He likes creative ideas about biking in Princeton ....

Steve along with the gang at the Princeton-Bicycling- Sustainability-Go Green-Don't Drive So Much Committee like it when you bike in Princeton.

So does the planet ...

Did you know Princeton University figured out how to supply incoming freshmen with bikes for $15 a semester?  Did you know Steve Kruse and his gang bike before driving whenever they can?  Did you know you get a $1 off when you bike to Whole Earth? 

2011 in Princeton .... This Will Be A Fall to Remember!
September 27, 2010

This weekend was kind of a dream weekend ....

First we saw the Dinky Debates at Princeton Public Library ... for the BEST people watching in Princeton, check it out on cable.  All the presentors were clever and passionate.

Next, I saw the families of the Amazing Race contestants!  Yes, I've given them tours through Princeton and yes, I'll be asking for tickets to the Oscars when the time is right - don't laugh, Jonathan is a member of the Broadway cast of Spiderman this Fall.  If you want to hear him sing, check out my YouTube channel.

Who's this guy with mom?  THAT'S JORDAN - THE WINNER OF LAST SEASON'S AMAZING RACE!  (Mom's a stalker fan ..... kinda creepy ...)  Anyhoo, he got invited along with Mom and I to the Amazing Race premiere on campus where we got to see Connor and Jonathan react to the first episode of their Amazing Race!

Not pictured are a TON of singing Nassoons and uber fans of Jonathan and Connor.  If you saw the episode and are wondering if Jonathan and Connor are as nice as they seem .... yep, all true.  They really are that nice!

This Fall Season .... GO GREEN TEAM!

Every Sunday after (put ANY football game here) and 60 Minutes, see another reason you want Princeton University  in your backyard!    

My Mom Is In Town And Every Time She Visits ....
September 25, 2010

I can't help but find ways to make fun of her.

Here she sporting her sunglasses and reading glasses at the same time. 

She had just left the library where she saved seats for all of us to see the Dinky Debates .....(if you didn't go, you missed the perfect diversity of characters in our town.  Even if you don't care about the Dinky, it was some of the best people watching on the planet.  The debates were highly civilized and all arguments were clever, poignant and, yes, passionate.)

In this photo, mom is pondering the menu at Zorba's Brother but we both know she'll get "that Sampler thing".  (It's not even what's it's call on the menu but she gets it everytime so they know it the sampler of hummus, tabouli, etc.)

Welcome back to your second home, Mom. 

Princeton's more fun when you and Shug are in it's orbit!

(I didn't get an embarrassing shot of Shug this trip but they're here until Thursday so I'll work on something good.)

Thirteen Reasons to Check Out Our Newest Ghost Tour .....
September 24, 2010

Afraid to plan your 13 year old's birthday party?

You have TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA! (It's the fear of 13....)

We'll help you face your fear and plan the COOLEST BIRTHDAY PARTY GHOST HUNT available in the tri-state area.

(Yes, that is a photo of the forearm of your ghost tour guide's tattoo and yes, that poor girl has haunted Princeton since 1812)

This is the signature event of Princeton resident and overall great guy, Regan Burns.   Regan knows how to freak out your 'tween with just the right amount of scary stories and well-timed jokes so that everyone makes it through the night!

Party goers get locked inside Princeton Cemetery with access to EMF Meters, dowsing rods, therma-meters and night vision. 

$13 per participant with a minimum of 13 guests

Once you send date requests to info@princetontourcompany.com you can practice looking surprised at hearing, "You are the coolest parents EVER!"

Princeton Ghost Tour Face Your Fear or Paranormal Investigator tee shirts available with 2 weeks notice too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN!
September 23, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSS! 

YOU MAKE MOTORCYCLE TOURS OF PRINCETON A BLAST!

(Did you know Princeton University is offering a class on the socialogical impact of Springsteen?  TRUE!  Check it out here!  http://registrar.princeton.edu/course-offerings/course_details.xml?courseid=011130&term=1102)

FINALLY! Box Tops for Adults!
September 19, 2010

Did you know Cool Vines will donate 25 cents to McCarter Theater for every wine tag you bring in with your world class ticket?

ME EITHER!

I've decided to try to MATCH Stosh's BoxTops collection ......... all in the name of the arts, of course!

Today, in 1793, the Cornerstone for the Capital was Erected .... i have one problem with that ....
September 18, 2010

In 1783, the Continental Congress met in Princeton and received the Treaty of Paris.  The Treaty basically meant the planet agreed we were a free nation ......

Because our representatives were in Nassau Hall when we received this word, Nassau Hall is TECHNICALLY the first Capital of the United States ....

Because Elias Boudinot was the President of the Continental Congress, he was TECHNICALLY the first President of the United States ....

Because Elias was staying at Morven down the street , TECHNICALLY it was the first White House.

I know D.C. and Philly like to dominate the Revolutionary War tourism market but REAL smartypants know that the Battle of Princeton and the delivery of this treaty make Princeton the reason for the revolutionary season!

I WON THE #1 A CAPPELLA FAN OF THE PRINCETON NASSOONS! I KNOW!
September 15, 2010

YES, THIS SHOT IS BLURRY BECAUSE I WAS SHAKING LIKE A LEAF WHEN I TOOK THE PHOTO .... I'M TRULY A FAN!

Think you could have been cooler?  Give me a break ......

This is the oldest A Cappella Singing Group at Princeton University ....

They've performed at the White House ....

They've traveled the globe and entertained tycoons, ambassadors, royal family members and celebrities ....

The best part?

They can really sing ...... Whether you like  pop music, the old classics or their originals .... these boys got game.

(seriously, i acted a bit nuts .... i couldn't really say anything that made sense when they handed me my swag .... all i kept thinking about was the history of the Nassoons, the fact that they own the deed to the room we were standing in, the fact that they own the deed to Blair Arch ..... the fact that the President will be holding the cup of their photo on graduation day ......i tried to make friendly small talk to make it seem like I belonged ....., "I'm going to see so and so at such and such" kind of stuff ..... y'know, stuff you say when you don't know what to say .... per usual, the guys couldn't have been nicer!)

YOU CAN FIND OUT WHY I'M SO INSANE FOR THE NASSOONS IF YOU GET A CD FROM THE PRINCETON U-STORE OR PRINCETON RECORD EXCHANGE! 

Princeton Rotary .... You NEVER Fail to Disappoint Me!
September 14, 2010

Yes, Rotarians are as diverse as the town of Princeton. 

Pictured here is a visiting guest from India - He was a high powered banker and threw it all away to become a dance therapist .....

Bollywood has already secured the rights to his story or I would have asked him to sign it over to me after the meeting!

If you haven't gone to Rotary lately, expect an eclectic crowd with a fierce commitment toward it's mission .... if you dig philanthropy and education your neighborhood Rotary might be a fit for you!

The Song I Shot the Sherriff Hit #1 Today .... Is There A Connect to Princeton? Well, You'll Just Have to See for Yourself!
September 14, 2010

(There's no connection with the song ..... even Firestone Library didn't have a collection hidden somewhere which is our normal excuse for 7 degrees .......... STILL we found SOMETHING to keep you in the know .....)

Back in the 1800's, Princeton had a sherriff named Ludlow ..... He was TOUGH on criminals! 

(And, ahead of his time when it came to crime prevention ....)

If you've taken our ghost tour, you know about what happened to Antoine Le Blanc's body in Princeton.  It was Sherriff Ludlow who authenticated the wallets made of out of his skin ....

EWWWWW!  ALL TRUE!

Ghost Tours Every Saturday Night!  

(They make awesome Birthday Parties too!)

1 comment - Last on 09/14/2010

Just When I Thought Having Three Women Serve on the Supreme Court for the First Time Was Impressive ...
September 14, 2010

It's also the second time three Princetonians have shared the bench!

Currently, Princeton University graduates Samuel Alito ' 72, Sonia Sotomayor '76, and Elena Kagan '81 are on deck. 

In  1842 the trio consisted of Smith Thompson '1788, Peter V. Daniel '1805, and James Moore Wayne '1808.

I KNOW!

(I get all this from the Mudd Library Blog .... you can follow them on facebook or get a feed for their info ..... it's really good stuff!)

Today, Only 196 Years Ago ....
September 13, 2010

Frances Scott Key wrote the poem which would eventually become the national anthem!

Did you kow Frances Scott Key was related to F. Scott Fitzgerald?  (yep .... 2nd cousin three times removed BUT IT STILL COUNTS!)

About 100 years after Frances Scott wrote the poem, F. Scott would write This Side of Paradise!  

(I know, random, but just something to get you thinking this beautiful Monday morning!)

Okay Princeton Time Travelers, On This Trip You Can Head to the Princeton Art Museum!
September 10, 2010

On this day in 1776, General George Washington asked for a volunteer for an extremely dangerous mission: to gather intelligence behind enemy lines!  Captain Nathan Hale stepped forward and and became the FIRST American spy.  He's the guy who said "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

There are only a few of these statues of Nathan in existence.  Princeton University Art Museum has one so you plan to go by there today and check it out! 

The famous Frederick MacMonnies designed the sculpture and also consulted on the Princeton Borough Monument in front of Princeton Borough Police Station! 

I KNOW!

WE'RE ONLY OFFERING GHOST TOURS THIS SATURDAY IN PRINCETON.... WHY? HERE YOU GO:
September 09, 2010

HELLO ??!!

Everyone knows this Saturday is JAZZ FEAST & the Princeton Public Library Book Festival!

We wouldn't miss those two events for all the tour groups from China ... You shouldn't either! 

Get to Princeton by 11am for free Jazz, face time with your children's favorite authors ..... (y'know there's free parking on campus right?  No?  Go to our Contact Us page - info is ALL there)

Stick around for our ghost tour at 8:30pm ..... it's a combo of cemetery visits, ghost hunting and spooky storytelling.  All guests get a choice of EMF Meter, Dowsing Rod, Electronic Voice Recorders, Night Vision and Therma Meters ....

Of course, on the SAME Anniversary Date When Princeton University Enrolled It's First Female Students We Would Think of Our Next SELL OUT Tour .....
September 08, 2010

Introducing our

YUM, YUM & YUMMY Tour! 

Why the title? 

This Grub Crawl focuses on three things smart women can't resist: 

Fine Chocolate,

Fine Wine

and

FINE Olympic Rowers ....

Guests will enjoy pairings of wine and fine chocolates hosted by the Olympic Rowers training at Princeton University's world class rowing facility. 

I KNOW!

We'll be announcing the time and date for our first irresistable stroll in US 1 Newspaper later this month!

(US 1 comes out on Wednesdays - FYI)

Okay Princeton Time Travelers .... On This Day in Princeton History ....
September 07, 2010

On this day in 1813, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam. The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Wilson  stamped the barrels with "U.S." for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as "Uncle Sam's." The local newspaper picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for the U.S. federal government.

Political cartoonist Thomas Nast began popularizing the image of Uncle Sam. Nast continued to evolve the image, eventually giving Sam the white beard and stars-and-stripes suit that are associated with the character today. The German-born Nast was also credited with creating the modern image of Santa Claus as well as coming up with the donkey as a symbol for the Democratic Party and the elephant as a symbol for the Republicans!

How is this related to Princeton?  The Princeton University Rare Books Collection owns several originals of Nast's creations!  I KNOW!

Rule #1 AND #2 Secrets to Networking with the Princeton Crowd ....
September 06, 2010

RULE #1:  DON'T TRY TOO HARD TO LOOK THE PART

RULE #2:  BE SEEN AT ALL THE RIGHT PLACES

 Rule #1 suggestion:  Be yourself - the Princetonians dig original types.  Trust me on that one.

Rule #2 suggestion:  GO TO THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL GAMES!  I AM NOT KIDDING YOU, I HAVE SEEN MEGA-MERGER DEALS GET STARTED AT THE FREE BOUNCE HOUSE!  (Plus, your kid gets to throw a football with Ivy Leaguers at the end of the game.  You never know WHERE they'll land and, gosh knows, you need to be planning those recommendation letters NOW!) 

What's the price of GUARANTEED, WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH RICH AND POWERFUL IVY LEAGUERS? 

$30 FOR A SEASON TICKET!  I KNOW! 

GO TO WWW.GOTOPRINCETONTIGERS.COM TO GET YOUR POWER SEAT TODAY!

True or False: Princeton Pub Crawls Can Change Your Life.
September 04, 2010

TRUE!!!!!

Princeton Pub Crawls

let you

THINK &

DRINK

AT THE SAME TIME!

This is a group of smartypants attending the Princeton University Graduate School.  It's an honor to entertain the next leaders of the world! 

If You Dig Our Tours You Should Know We Couldn't Pull It Off Without These Friends!!!
September 04, 2010

If you LOVE the Einstein, Michelle and F. Scott signs on Nassau Street, please thank the gang at Landau's! 

(They let us put the signs in their alleyway.)

If you love our ghost tours, please thank the guys at Hamilton Jewelers! 

(They let us store the equipment nearby.)

If you love our bike tours, please thank the guys at Kopp's Cycle Shop!

(They let us store our bikes there!)

Where do we meet for these networking mega-meetings?  On sidewalks and breakrooms, silly!  The best part of running a small business in downtown Princeton is the help you get along the way!  This photo was taken last Fall when Stosh negotiated a daily free apple from Landau's during his first week of school!  They offer Terhune apples during the Fall!

If ONLY My Mother Had Been a STAGE MOM !! I Would Be on the World Stage Rather than the Sidewalks of Princeton!
September 02, 2010

For all you PRINCETON MOMS out there who want to OFFER YOUR CHILD A SURE FIRE WAY to GET DISCOVERED here's your chance:

McCarter Theatre welcomes all children, ages 5 to 13, to sign ups for A Christmas Carol auditions on Wednesday, September 15 from 3pm to 6pm.  Sign-ups will be held in the McCarter Theatre Lobby, located at 91 University Place in Princeton (www.mccarter.org).

DID YOU KNOW THE NEW YORK TIMES REVIEWS THIS PRODUCTION EACH YEAR?

DID YOU KNOW THEY LIST IT AS A "MUST SEE"?

Get more information on audition rules (and request my mom get cast as Scrooge this year), by emailing casting@mccarter.org. 

1 comment - Last on 09/03/2010

Two Contestants on the Amazing Race Graduated in 2010! I Know Them!
September 02, 2010

Connor Diamond Yauman AND Jonathan are competing in the AMAZING RACE this Fall.  Connor was PU '10 Class President and Jonathan is a Broadway star.  (From L to R; Connor is first to my right and Jonathan is all the way to the right.)

This is the secret room where the Nassoons rehearse their songs ...... it's the oldest all male acapella group in the world ...... I KNOW!

September 26th, tune into the AMAZING RACE and see these two AMAZING young men. 

Take a tour this Fall and we'll show you Connor & Jonathan's dorm room buildings!

We'll show ALL the Princeton Greats' dorm buildings too!:  

Sotomayer, Michelle, Rumsfeld, James Baker, James Madison, Woodrow Wilson, JFK (okay, the building got moved but we'll show you the general idea), Carl Icahn, Eliot Spitzer, Eugene O'Neill, F. Scott, Thornton Wilder, Jimmy Stewart, Bill Frist and MORE!

It's Lawn Parties At Princeton! The Final Resting Place of the Last Train Robbery in America!
May 04, 2013

SPOILER ALERT! The REAL Don Draper went to Princeton University!
April 07, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REESE WITHERSPOON! (you know she has a connection to Princeton, right?)
March 22, 2013

OFFICIAL PHOTOS FROM PI DAY PRINCETON ARE IN!
March 12, 2013

Another Reason My Touring Customers Should Stay Overnight in Princeton!
March 04, 2013

4rth Annual Pi Day Princeton Predicted to Move the Earth!
March 02, 2013

THIS JUST IN! THIS JUST IN!
January 11, 2013

COMING SOON TO PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY!
January 10, 2013

Need to Make Rent in Princeton? Become a Friend to the Princeton University Art Museum! (what???? Trust me on this one!)
December 24, 2012

We Admit It ..... Our Holidaty Trolley Tours Are Really Awesome!
October 19, 2012

THIS JUST IN! THIS JUST IN! BE IN PRINCETON OCTOBER 15TH AT 6PM!
October 04, 2012

SERIOUSLY? CAN PRINCETON DELIGHT ME EVEN MORE! YES, THEY CAN!
October 04, 2012

Move Over Superman and Spiderman .... There's a NEW Super Hero in Town!
October 03, 2012

DON'T MISS THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT! (really, i mean it!)
September 25, 2012

Today, Only FOREVER Ago ......
September 18, 2012

If Only My Mother Had Been A Stage Mother ....
September 01, 2012

We're Giving FREE TOURS on FRIDAY EVENINGS BECUASE WE'RE IN LOVE WITH A PRINCETON MAN .... ....
August 30, 2012

THIS is Why I ADORE This Town!
August 24, 2012

Today, Only FOREVER AGO .....
August 10, 2012

LOOK HERE TO SEE HOW I DEFEATED SUSAN FRANCIA - A TWO TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST!
August 05, 2012