The circus, book sales, Joe Piscopo, puppies and more

Wake me when the temps climb back into the 60s, m’kay? In the meantime, let’s clean out the ol’ Google Docs … Today is the last day the circus will be in town. Forever. Yep, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is ending it’s run after 146 years this May, and for us here in Mercer County today’s shows — one at noon, one at 4 p.m. — will mark the end of the era.

And while I relish the role of cynic, I have to say I’m none too pleased in seeing the circus go belly up like a beached elephant. While I’m not exactly a circus fanatic, every time I’ve ever been — and I’m writing this Friday morning with tickets in hand for that night’s show — I end up enjoying myself. A few “ooohs,” the occasional “ahhh,” a glob of grossly overpriced cotton candy … it adds up. It’s a thing, you know? If you have kids and the circus comes to town, you go to the circus.

Sad to see it end.

***** And while the circus may have been the Greatest Show on Earth, the Bryn Mawr-Wellesley book sale happening as we speak at the Princeton Day School on Great Road is the Greatest Book Sale I’ve Ever Been To.

And yes, while you can’t get more hoity-toity sounding than “Bryn Mawr-Wellesley, Princeton Day School, Great Road,” trust me: If you like books, this is the place to be. Over 80,000 different titles to choose from. To give you an idea of what that number looks like, even the biggest Barnes & Noble bookstores carry less than 200,000 total books, not titles.

Today the sale runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tomorrow is half-price day (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Tuesday is $10 fill-a-box day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

***** Still waiting on Joe Piscopo over here. Last week in this space I wrote that he told me he would “probably” make a decision this past week as to whether he’d decide to run for governor. Well … still waiting, Joe. In the meantime, InsiderNJ.com reported Friday people in the Kim Guadagno camp reached out to Jersey Joe about the lieutenant governor position, which is laughable for two reasons. One, no way he accepts that, and two, it just goes to show you how serious a threat Piscopo is should he decide to run.

Tick-tock.

**** I’ve written before how aggravated I am about the PARCC graduation requirement in high school, and the New Jersey Assembly agrees. They voted 67-3 last week to kick this silly law to the side.

Now all that has to happen is for the Senate to vote on it.

Except, according to NJSpotlight.com, no one seems to be holding their breath on the senate acting, as state Sen. President Steve Sweeney hasn’t even posted the companion resolution in committee, according to NJSpotlight.. What gives? Who knows. But I’m also reminded of that old cliche, follow the money.

***** A bill is now sitting on Gov. Chris Christie’s desk that would ban puppy mills in New Jersey. Seems like a no-brainer. Sign it, gov. Let’s be a leader in this.

***** Lastly — and I expect to write more about this down the road — but why is Camden kicking Trenton’s butt? The latest is newly-announced plans to build a waterfront park where a prison once stood.

Where’s Trenton’s waterfront park? Where’s Trenton’s aquariums? Where’s Trenton’s outdoor amphitheater?

The end of an era.