Speaking That Connects, owned by Eileen  N. Sinett, was named Small Business of the Year at today’s breakfast held by the Plainsboro Business Partnership, part of the Princeton Regional Chamber. “Well deserved” was the often-heard kudo for the former chairman of the PBP who coaches professionals and corporate teams to enhance their communication and presentation performance and dedicates Monday nights to facilitating a Conversational ESL group at Plainsboro Public Library.

Mayor Peter Cantu spoke, and though you’ll get better detail from Vincent Xu in the next edition of West Windsor-Plainsboro News, here are some of the facts I was surprised to learn:

• More than 50 percent of the township is open space
• Plainsboro has an record-holding tax collection record– 99.6 percent, contributing to its AAA bond rating
• Child care and assisted living centers will break ground near the hospital this year, and a 300-unit senior housing development i planned.
• Forrestal Village, ever struggling, could get 395 apartments with a “unique design.”
• New retailers will be Panera, Five Guys, and a pet supply store but alas — no grocery store is imminent.
• Eight major companies have earned the state Good Neighbor award, with Sandoz the most recent.
• Gym rats rejoice, a 25,000 foot health spa is going through the approval process.

And — considering that Plainsboro ranks 5th nationally in “diversity” (translated, that means a population that is not primarily Caucasian) — it’s not surprising that the newest addition to the athletic scene will be a regulation cricket field. According to one sports reporter, cricket is the new soccer. A  “capital commitment” has been made and, meanwhile, the next nearest field seems to be in North Brunswick.