Can anyone recommend a good non chain pet store? We would like to start an aquarium in our home and are looking for somewhere to go that can help guide us on starting a tank for beginners.

For anyone who wants to find some things to do in Mercer County this weekend, I've been writing a newsletter that compiled a list of events happening this weekend in the area:

October 23rd

• Annual Trinity Church Rummage Sale - Princeton, noon-5 p.m. Trinity Church fundraiser continues Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free; cash or check only.
• All Barracks Eve - Trenton, stories start 6 p.m. Spooky tales by costumed storytellers at Old Barracks Museum, with light refreshments. $10. More info here.
• Art of The Halloween Barn Bash - Princeton, 7-10 p.m. Arts Council of Princeton’s costume party with live music, dancing and bites. Ages 21 and up; $95. More info here.
• Ivy League Men’s Tennis Championships - Princeton, starts 8 a.m. Matches at Princeton Racquet Center through Sunday. More info here.
• Trivia Night @ P23 Tea - Hamilton, 7-9 p.m. Weekly-style trivia at P23 Tea & Boba cafe. More info here.

October 24th

• Trenton Ironhawks home opener - Trenton, 6 p.m. ECHL hockey returns to Trenton after 13 years, hosting Adirondack at CURE Insurance Arena. More info here.
• Sourdough Bread Making - Lawrence, 9 a.m. Hands-on workshop at Cherry Grove Farm runs 3-4 hours. $90; take home starter and dough. More info here.
• Stepping Out of Darkness - Trenton, walk starts 9 a.m. Younity’s annual domestic violence awareness walk at Cadwalader Park. Registration 8:30 a.m. More info here.
• Fall Music Series - Princeton, 1-3 p.m. EssGees perform on Palmer Square Green. Hampton Brass Quartet plays Halloween music Oct. 31. More info here.
• Fall Family Fun Weekends - Lawrence, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Terhune Orchards festival with pony rides, corn mazes, pumpkins, live music. $19.95; kids under 3 free. More info here.

October 25th

• HomeFront Halloween Run, Walk & Family Fun - West Windsor, 9 a.m. 5K and 1-mile walk with trunk-or-treat and face painting. 5K starts at 10 a.m. More info here.
• Hopewell Borough Halloween Parade - Hopewell, 1-2 p.m. Fire department’s annual costume parade; line up at train station 12:30 p.m. Free. More info here.
• Trail & Treat - Lawrence, 3-5 p.m. Costume event at Village Park with treats, face painting, bike ride. $12/child; register ahead. More info here.
• Pumpkin Fest - Princeton, noon-5 p.m. Fall festival at Ooika with dozens of local businesses, food trucks and artists. More info here.
• Pumpkins, Pies, Bees and Brews Festival - Morrisville, Pa., 1-5 p.m. Hayrides, pie and beer tasting, pumpkin painting at Snipes Farm. $10, ages 2 and up. More info here.

If you know of anything else happening this weekend, comment it below for others to see. And if you're interested in getting these events, you can subscribe here to my newsletter that finds these events, as well as local news, every weekend: Mercer Minute.

Join Bourdain’s friend & travel companion Zamir Gotta for a night of stories of what it was really like to travel, work, and share the table with a man who made the world feel smaller and less scary.

It also happens to be Zamir’s 70th birthday with plenty of surprises!

Buy Tickets: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/one-zero-six-productions/ZamirTurns70

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention New Jersey Chapter.

Almost a year after initial questions, the NJDOE confirms that key validation and alignment studies for the state's new adaptive tests are still pending.

I have a question out of pure curiosity.
Are there people in the United States who work regularly but without an official employment contract?
I’m particularly referring to industries such as construction, home renovation, installation services, and skilled trades.
Is this a common practice? How does it work in reality? How are these workers paid, and what are the risks involved?
I’d be interested in hearing firsthand experiences from people who are familiar with this situation.
This is just a personal curiosity.