Plainfield tree politics.. Solaris accused of malfeasance.. Budget transfers?.. BOE items..

PLAINFIELD

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Plainfield Today:

• "Plainfield tree politics: Rotten to the core?"

Plainfield Plaintalker: -- Bernice expects to be home today...

• "Scenes from the International District"
• "Please question the budget transfers" -- Last night. Did anyone?
• "Reward the gardeners"

Crescent Times: "The State Audit of the Schools" -- Plus more on BOE minutes timing, software...
Doc's Potpourri: "Israel at 60"
Save Muhlenberg:

• "Keystone Cops rerun? Solaris cancels Edison appearance."
• "Muhlenberg: State looking into alleged malfeasance"
• "Ledger notice of 2nd Muhlenberg hearing"

Plainfield Trees: "Street Cherries" -- The most recent post by Plainfield's tree guru, Dr. Greg Palermo, including observations on Redbuds.

Councilors are blogging: Councilor Cory Storch(here) has a new entry on the statement he gave at the recent hearing on closing Muhlenberg; and Councilor Rashid Burney blogs (here).

Muhlenberg, Letter: Vicky Griswold: "Solaris turns deaf ear to wishes of Muhlenberg community"
McGreeveys: "Talks fizzle, so it's time for testimony"

Brownfields: "DEP shelves uniform regulations for cleanup"
Bluestone: "Bluestone Boom Brings Changes" -- The stuff of historic sidewalks (as in Plainfield) and upscale new patios.
Immigrants: "Study: immigrants assimilate well, but Mexicans lag"

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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• Saturday - May 17. Noon - 8 PM. Open Gates to Fly Enrichment School of Tutoring Open House. A new tutoring opportunity for our youth. Math, reading, language arts, financial literacy and everyday homework help. Ribbon cutting ceremonies at 2 PM. At the School, 207 East 5th Street. FREE.
  
  
• Sunday - May 18. 9 AM - 4 PM. Annual FOSH Garage Sale. Over 100 homes are participating in Plainfield's oldest, biggest and best community garage sale. Homes will be identified with balloons. You can start on Charlotte Road near Woodland, where items sold will benefit the Plainfield Symphony -- or you can just pull over wherever you see a crowd. A not-to-be-missed Plainfield event attended by thousands yearly. FREE.
  
  
• Sunday - May 18. 9 AM - 4 PM. Van Wyck Brooks Historic District Garage Sale. Start at 935 Madison Avenue, where items sold benefit the VWB Historic District. Maps available or simply drive through the District between Arlington and Plainfield Avenues, from West 8th Street to Randolph Road and look for signs and balloons. FREE.
  
  
• Sunday - May 18. 9 AM - 2 PM. 3rd Annual 'Homeless Animal Lifeline' Yard Sale. A large multi-family yard sale to benefit this animal charity. Clothing, household items, antiques and collectibles, and more. Visit the organization's website at www.halrescue.org/. Location: 1326 Watchung Avenue. FREE.
  
  
• Sunday - May 18. Noon - 8 PM. Open Gates to Fly Enrichment School of Tutoring Open House. A new tutoring opportunity for our youth. Math, reading, language arts, financial literacy and everyday homework help. At the School, 207 East 5th Street. FREE
  
  
• Sunday - May 18. 3 PM. The World Sings: Opera, classical, folk and pop, by the Crescent Singers. Presented by Crescent Concerts. At: Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, Watchung Avenue at East 7th Street. $20/adult, $15/senior, $5/student. Info (908) 756-2468.

Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY

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Affordable Housing: "Towns consider housing challenge" -- Want to be able to sell their obligations.
Kean U.: "Kean special-needs school gets a year reprieve"
Newark Schools: "Corzine to review 3 finalists"
Sharpe James: "No more charges, just jail" -- Ledger | NYTimes | -- 15 years may be sought.
South Plainfield: "Voters turn page on library proposal"


STATE

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Budget: "NJ budget shifts to black from red"
NJ Business: "Fewer bites: Jersey restaurants struggle"
'Bottle Bill': "Legislators uncap bottle bill debate"
Legislature: "Briefs: 'Clean' elections, BOE election dates, more..."
U.S. Senate Seat: "Andrews cites D.C. tax rebate in questioning Lautenberg home"

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


NATION / WORLD

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2008 Campaigns --

• Polls: "Poll: 8 of 10 say U.S. is off-track"
  
• Obama: "For Obama, the General Election Is Calling"
  
• Clinton: E.J. Dionne: "Post-Crucible Clinton"
• Superdelegates: John Farmer: "The superdelegates aren't mere rubber stamps" -- A good short history.
  
• McCain: "For McCain, distance from Bush is key"
• GOP: "GOP at risk of losing Deep South seat"

Congress: "A Liberal Wit Builds Bridges to the G.O.P." -- Bipartisanship on the horizon again?
The Economy:

• "Sagging economy cutting into plastic surgery business"
• "Many Hispanics Are Hit Hard by Economic Slump"

Port Security: "'Unrealistic' goal of scanning cargo"
Wall Street: "A Wish List for Fixing Wall Street"

BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |