C L I P S: Wagon Rides, concerts today.. Police promotions.. Buy house tour ticket today or face full price..

PLAINFIELD

Plainfield Today: (Click HERE to read the posts serially, otherwise take your pick below. There are more stories up than posted below, and more go up during the day. -- Dan)

Plain Talker: "Police Promotions Evoke Warm Support"
Crescent Times: "Friends of Crescent Church"
Plainfield Trees: "Norway Maple" -- A new posting in this ongoing series.
Van Wyck Brooks HD: "Christmas Tour - 2007" -- It's THIS Sunday, get your tickets ahead of time at Swain's.

Drugs: "Drug dealer convicted for 13th time"
Raritan Valley Line: "Rail service study moving along" -- Extending service to Philipsburg.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Reminders:

Van Wyck Brooks HD's 'Old-Fashioned Christmas' House Tour -- Advance ticket info here.

Today - December 8. Noon - 3 PM. Holiday Horse and Wagon Rides. The SID's 3rd Annual Horse and Wagon Ride gets even bigger. Two staging areas: West Front Street, near McDonald's and Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue. Treats for the kids, coupons and drawings for prizes -- including two TVs and an 8-foot stuffed stocking -- as well as hot cocoa for all and a visit by Santa (at Plainwood Square Park). Info: Visit the SID website or call (908) 756-1088. FREE.
Today - December 8. 7 PM. Heritage for the Holidays Concert. Heritage Youth Chorus -- winners of Mcdonald's GospelFest contest -- present a concert of holiday favorites, with the theme 'Help for the Homeless'. At Shiloh Baptist Church, West 4th and New Streets. Canned good donations welcome and will benefit area food pantries. Tickets: $25/adult, $15/Seniors, $10/Children. Info: (908) 222-1722.
Today - December 8. 8 PM. Holiday Choral Concert: Our Family Celebration. A concert by the NJ Gay Men's Chorus. Attendees are invited to bring a donation of canned goods, which will be donated to a local food bank. $25 at the door. Discounts in advance -- see their website here or call (609) 396-7774 At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue.
Tomorrow - December 9. 2-7 PM. Van Wyck Brooks District 2007 House Tour: An Old-Fashioned Christmas. $20 in advance at Swain Galleries, East 7th and Watchung or $25 day of tour at 935 Central Avenue, tour starting point.
Tomorrow - December 9. 7 PM. Mark Miller in Concert at Wilson Memorial. Mark Miller, minister of music at Covenant UM Church in Plainfield, will preside on the Wilson Memorial Church's organ for a recital you won't want to miss. Wilson Church is just off the Watchung Circle on Hillcrest Road and has generous parking. Refreshments follow the recital. A free-will offering will be taken.
Monday - December 10. 7 PM. YWCA's Annual Hanging Of The Greens. In its 100th year, the YWCA continues the tradition of a festive reception, the singing of holiday favorites, the hanging of the greens decorating its rotunda, and the opportunity to be an 'angel' and contribute to its preschool and after-school programs. At the YWCA of Central NJ, East Front and Church Streets. All are invited.
Monday - December 10. 8 PM. Van Wyck Brooks Historic District Monthly Meeting. At The Pillars B&B, 922 Central Avenue.
Wednesday - December 12. 7:30 - 9 PM. New Horizons College Club. Helping high school students prepare for college. See Club website here. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue.
Thursday - December 13. 3:30 PM. Christmas Story-time and Crafts. Kids learn about this important time of the year with interesting stories and some fun craft projects. In the Young People's Room. Plainfield Public Library, 8th Street at Park Avenue. FREE.
Thursday - December 13. 4 - 8 PM. Treasures of the Earth II. An exciting array of fine diamonds, gemstones and jewelry. Portion of sale proceeds will benefit the Plainfield Public Library. Refreshments by Sandy Spector Caterers. Suburban Jewelers, 126 East Front Street. Info: (908) 756-1774.
Friday - December 14. 8 AM - Noon. Abbott v. Burke: A Conversation with Former Governors. Join former governors Brendan Byrne, James Florio, Donald DiFrancesco and James McGreevey offer insights and suggestions. Panel discussion followed by Q&A. Continental breakfast. At the Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton. Online registration and directions here. The public is invited.
Friday - December 14. 7 PM. Sleepy Hollow Realtors Holiday Party & Toy Drive. Join Joe Burris, John Nash and the SHR crew at Cafe Vivace for some holiday fun and help brighten the holidays for area children. Gift of an unwrapped toy for a boy or girl will benefit the holiday outreach of the Plainfield Area Red Cross. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, cash bar. Cafe Vivace, 1370 South Avenue at Plainwood Square Park.

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CENTRAL JERSEY

Ferguson Congressional Seat: "Scherer considers run for 7th District"
Bound Brook: "Bound Brook seeks to hike garbage fees"
Elizabeth: "House fire injures residents, firefighter"
Film: "'American Gangster': Schools divided on drug lord's message"
Somerset County: "Freeholders could vote on dissolving park commission this month"
South Plainfield: "Panel to study truck-traffic problems" | "Parents worry about traffic"

STATE

Corzine Staff: "Corzine communications director leaving"
Rutgers Football: "Resisting Michigan, Schiano Is Staying Put" -- Ledger | NY Times |
Schools: "New Jersey Suburbs Fear a Drop in Special Education Aid"
State Police: "Monitoring of Police Should End, Corzine Says" -- Ledger | NY Times |
Waterfront Commission: "Authorities Investigate a Watchdog of the Docks"

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.
Margulies' Cartoon is here.

NATION / WORLD

CIA Tapes --

The Tapes: "C.I.A. Was Urged to Keep Interrogation Videotapes"
Questions: "Inquiry Sought On CIA Tapes" -- NY Times | WashPost |
Bush: Dan Froomkin: "Bush and the Torture Tapes"

The Economy: "Slowing Job Growth Seen as Ominous Sign for Economy"
Iraq: "List of U.S. Allies Shrinks Steadily in Iraq" -- Ah yes, the 'coalition of the willing'. Find out who has 3, 2 and a single soldier deployed in Iraq.

OF INTEREST