Where Plainfield turns for news.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Meltdown hits Plainfield.. 4th shooting, Police response.. Surprise development proposal.. Connolly: Dismiss RICO suit.. Olddoc's wish for 5769..

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice notes police response to the recent wave of shootings, bragging rights for Tax Collector Glavan (though not the 97% previously cited by her boss), and a surprise development proposal. Maria wonders what will City Hall be sacrificing in the current financial crisis. Olddoc cites two dangerous days -- on Wall Street, and reading Jerry Green's page -- and notes the advent of the Jewish High Holy Days with a wish for the Plainfield community -- La shana tova. At PEPtalk, Renata reports on an outstanding 08-09 inaugural PEP meeting last night. Plainfield Sports News reports the Plainfield Vikings hosted the Raritan Bay Cougars at Seidler this weekend, and...read on. Plainfield tree guru has a new post on Red Oaks, helping you keep your reds and whites sorted (oaks, not wines!). Assemblyman Green shares with us that he has been cited 'legislator of the year' by the NJ Apartment Association.


Shooting No. 4: "4th victim in 5 days shot on his porch" -- Courier | Ledger | -- Word in the street: A Hispanic male.
Connolly Properties: "Motion filed to dismiss RICO lawsuit over rental properties"

Paperless Council Meetings: "Bloomfield going 'green' with paperless Council documents"
Gun Laws: "Court strikes down J.C. law limiting gun purchases"
Police Transfer Program: "Hillside hires four transfer police officers" -- Plainfield has participated in program.


Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING

  • VOTER REGISTRATION: The Plainfield Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity is conducting a voter registration drive on Wednesday and Thursdays from 5:00 - 8:45 PM at the Plainfield Public Library through October 9th. Members will provide voter registration forms and assistance for those not currently registered to vote. Info: Jerry Black, (908) 922-5898 or the Library's Bob Golon, (908) 757-1111 x132.

  • Today - September 30. 9 AM. 'Chamber Walk'. Members of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce will be walking in the South Avenue shopping district to meet business owners and hear about their needs and concerns.

  • Tomorrow - October 1. 7 PM. Zoning Board of Adjustment. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Tomorrow - October 1. 7:30 PM. (OPRA) Finding Out: How to Exercise Your Right to Obtain Public Records. Understand NJ's public records law and make it work for you. Speakers: Guy Baehr, Rutgers professor and former Ledger reporter; Tina Renna, chairperson, Union County Watchdog Association; and John Paff, citizen-activist. Sponsors include Rutgers Dept. of Journalism and the NJ Foundation for Open Government. At the Rutgers Student Center, Room 410. College Avenue Campus, New Brunswick. The symposium is free and open to the public and Rutgers students.

  • Thursday - October 2. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Thursday - October 2. 9 PM. Vice Presidential Candidates Debate. Biden and Palin at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Moderated by Gwen Ifill, senior correspondent on The NewsHour. The debate will cover both foreign and domestic topics.

  • Friday - October 3. 8 AM - 2 PM. First Union County Green Conference. A one-stop resource for businesses and local government officials to get the most from new 'green' products, services and funding opportunities. Workshops include: Green Grants, Alternative Energy & Conservation, LEED Certification, and Green Shared Services. At Kean University's Downs Hall. Registration: $25, includes breakfast and lunch. More information here, and registration form here (PDF).

  • Friday - October 3. 7 PM. Girl Scout Information and Recruitment Evening. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Come learn how you and your daughter can get involved in an organization that helps girls become leaders, learn about themselves, and serve their community. Children welcome. Light refreshments will be served. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Information: Call Fatima Latif at (908) 232-3236 x1218. FREE.

  • Saturday - October 4. 9 AM - 3 PM. Annual Hispanic Health Fair. Sponsored by the Coalition of Hispanic Physicians. Screenings for: Vision; Pap and breast exams; HIV; Bone density; and Hypertension. Mini-lectures in Spanish by Coalition doctors. Refreshments, music, face painting, clown. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue. All are welcome. FREE.

  • Saturday - October 4. 10 AM - Noon. New Democrats Fall Get-Together. New Democrats for Plainfield will gather to elect its leadership team, socialize and discuss the 2009 elections, which will include Mayor, 4th Ward Council seat, Democratic City Committee, and Assembly. A continental breakfast will be served. At duCret Art School, 1038 Central Avenue (park in the rear).

  • Saturday - October 4. 11 AM - 3 PM. Millions More Multicultural Health Fair. Sponsored by the Plainfield LOC of the Millions More Movement Ministry of Health. Health screenings, dental screenings, free health information. At the Respect For Life Cetner, 407 Watchung Avenue. All are welcome. FREE.

  • Saturday - October 4. 7 PM - Midnight. Plainfield Symphony's 'Fall Festival'. With a bountiful buffet, libations galore and marvelous music, the Symphony puts the fun in fundraiser at this gala event. At the historic home of Tom & Julie Shortridge, 996 Hillside Avenue. $75/person. To order tickets, call Brenda Anderson at (908) 757-5363 or email brendamaryanderson@hotmail.com.

  • Sunday - October 5. 1 - 3 PM. FOSH: Annual Blessing of the Animals. Plainfield pets and their families and friends gather at Leland Avenue Park (the Cook School Pond) to schmooze and romp. Animals will be blessed at 2 PM. Every year finds interesting new pets -- what will it be this year? Come out and see. FREE.

  • Sunday - October 5. 1 - 3 PM. Book Signing: Union County Black Americans. Plainfield's own Ethel Washington signs her important Union County book. Also featured: Jews of Weequahic, Jews of Morris, and South Orange Revisited. At the Livingston Barnes & Noble, 112 Eisenhower Parkway. (973) 758-1317.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY


Bridgewater Commons: "Ex-trooper admits fencing stolen Rolexes"
Sandy Hook: "Court ruling helps plan to develop Ft. Hancock"
St. Peter's Hospital: "Legionnaire's disease traced to oncology department" -- Ledger | Gannett |
Suliga Civil Suit: "Suliga's widow tells court of her loss"


STATE



NJ & Market Meltdown: "Corzine expects more budget cuts"
BPU Scandal: "Jury hung in whistleblower case"
FamilyCare: "State and feds tangle in court over kids' healthcare"
Pension Reforms: "Corzine signs pension reforms into law"

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.

Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD



2008 Campaigns --
Bailout --
Iraq: "For US and Sunni allies, a turning point: takeover by Shi'a government"
Market Meltdown: "Lehman demise triggered cash crunch around globe"
U.S. Attorney Firings: "Mukasey appoints special prosecutor" -- Criminal activity.


OF INTEREST


Hard Times: "Those who remember the Depression fear its return" -- Have we lost the lessons learned?

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

Monday, September 29, 2008

Five for Monday.. Interfaith house tours.. LWV: Write-ins please.. Maria and Jerry's 'duckies'.. PEP kicks off tonight..

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice notes the tax collection rate will be reported on at Council tonight, and that the League of Women Voters is seeking write-in candidates for the general election. Maria has an amazing pic of 'Jerry's aligned duckies'! Olddoc gives comprehending Jerry's blogs yet another try. PEPtalk notes its kickoff meeting tonight: Moving the District toward educational excellence. The Assemblyman's quill is (evidently) at rest for today.


Homefirst: "Interfaith group holds house tours to raise money"

Voter Registration: "NJ Dems see unprecendented wave of voter registrations"

Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING

  • VOTER REGISTRATION: The Plainfield Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity is conducting a voter registration drive on Wednesday and Thursdays from 5:00 - 8:45 PM at the Plainfield Public Library through October 9th. Members will provide voter registration forms and assistance for those not currently registered to vote. Info: Jerry Black, (908) 922-5898 or the Library's Bob Golon, (908) 757-1111 x132.

  • Today - September 29. 6:30 - 8:30 PM. PEP: First 08-09 Meeting. Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) has its first meeting of the 2008-09 school year. Come out to share, learn and unite. Dinner and childcare provided. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). 'Time to PEP it up!'

  • Today - September 29. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue.

  • Tomorrow - September 30. 9 AM. 'Chamber Walk'. Members of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce will be walking in the South Avenue shopping district to meet business owners and hear about their needs and concerns.

  • Wednesday - October 1. 7 PM. Zoning Board of Adjustment. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Wednesday - October 1. 7:30 PM. (OPRA) Finding Out: How to Exercise Your Right to Obtain Public Records. Understand NJ's public records law and make it work for you. Speakers: Guy Baehr, Rutgers professor and former Ledger reporter; Tina Renna, chairperson, Union County Watchdog Association; and John Paff, citizen-activist. Sponsors include Rutgers Dept. of Journalism and the NJ Foundation for Open Government. At the Rutgers Student Center, Room 410. College Avenue Campus, New Brunswick. The symposium is free and open to the public and Rutgers students.

  • Thursday - October 2. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Thursday - October 2. 9 PM. Vice Presidential Candidates Debate. Biden and Palin at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Moderated by Gwen Ifill, senior correspondent on The NewsHour. The debate will cover both foreign and domestic topics.

  • Friday - October 3. 8 AM - 2 PM. First Union County Green Conference. A one-stop resource for businesses and local government officials to get the most from new 'green' products, services and funding opportunities. Workshops include: Green Grants, Alternative Energy & Conservation, LEED Certification, and Green Shared Services. At Kean University's Downs Hall. Registration: $25, includes breakfast and lunch. More information here, and registration form here (PDF).

  • Friday - October 3. 7 PM. Girl Scout Information and Recruitment Evening. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Come learn how you and your daughter can get involved in an organization that helps girls become leaders, learn about themselves, and serve their community. Children welcome. Light refreshments will be served. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Information: Call Fatima Latif at (908) 232-3236 x1218. FREE.

  • Saturday - October 4. 9 AM - 3 PM. Annual Hispanic Health Fair. Sponsored by the Coalition of Hispanic Physicians. Screenings for: Vision; Pap and breast exams; HIV; Bone density; and Hypertension. Mini-lectures in Spanish by Coalition doctors. Refreshments, music, face painting, clown. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue. All are welcome. FREE.

  • Saturday - October 4. 11 AM - 3 PM. Millions More Multicultural Health Fair. Sponsored by the Plainfield LOC of the Millions More Movement Ministry of Health. Health screenings, dental screenings, free health information. At the Respect For Life Cetner, 407 Watchung Avenue. All are welcome. FREE.

  • Saturday - October 4. 7 PM - Midnight. Plainfield Symphony's 'Fall Festival'. With a bountiful buffet, libations galore and marvelous music, the Symphony puts the fun in fundraiser at this gala event. At the historic home of Tom & Julie Shortridge, 996 Hillside Avenue. $75/person. To order tickets, call Brenda Anderson at (908) 757-5363 or email brendamaryanderson@hotmail.com.

  • Sunday - October 5. 1 - 3 PM. FOSH: Annual Blessing of the Animals. Plainfield pets and their families and friends gather at Leland Avenue Park (the Cook School Pond) to schmooze and romp. Animals will be blessed at 2 PM. Every year finds interesting new pets -- what will it be this year? Come out and see. FREE.

  • Sunday - October 5. 1 - 3 PM. Book Signing: Union County Black Americans. Plainfield's own Ethel Washington signs her important Union County book. Also featured: Jews of Weequahic, Jews of Morris, and South Orange Revisited. At the Livingston Barnes & Noble, 112 Eisenhower Parkway. (973) 758-1317.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY


New Brunswick: "Goldie Hawn kicks off 'Smart Talk' women's lecture series"
North Plainfield: "Man indicted for Cypress Gardens burglaries"


STATE



Ft. Dix Trial: "Terror trial tests government's conspiracy theory"
Lawmakers: "Make landlords pay for bedbugs"
Public Worker Benefits: "Corzine to sign law cutting benefits"

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.

Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD



2008 Campaigns --
Bailout --
Auto Industry: "And now, $25B to Detroit"
U.S. Attorney Firings: "Report: Prosecutor to continue investigating White House role"


OF INTEREST



Church & State: "33 pastors flout tax law with political endorsements from the pulpit"
Rosh Hashanah: "Shofar workshop teaches youngsters hallowed tradition"

Wedding Advice Battle: "Two podcasters battle it out over ownership of idea"


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

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The house where Paul lived.. Jerry gets caught rewriting history.. Undercover work dents crime.. Two obits of note..

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice spots an ad on the PPS News blog. Maria enjoys the Library Book Sale and reminds the Assemblyman that he voted to abolish the Abbott school districts. Olddoc puts up a disquisition on health care, and remarks on the flurry of posts from the Assemblyman (though the reference to 'bogs' may be a typo, it is certainly NOT a malapropisim). The Assemblyman takes credit for getting Plainfield returned to the Abbott District list, but I can attest to a slightly different reality -- it was thanks to then-Sen. Donald DiFrancesco folks, as we all witnessed at a ceremony at Hubbard MS auditorium to celebrate the fact. Check it out!
Park Florist: "Creativity flourishes at Plainfield flower shop"
Plainfield Police: "Undercover efforts make dent in certain crimes"
Jay Jefferson Cooke: "Is is time for street cams in Plainfield?"
Obituary: "Victor Liske, legendary Plainfield swim coach" -- Coached Milt Campbell among others.
Obituary: "Martha Ann Thomas, longtime Plainfield children's librarian"

Foreclosures: "Union County gets part of $64M from HUD to buy foreclosed properties"
Commuting: "The long haul: Navigating to work via NJT" -- Not all commuters are Manhattan-bound.
Polls: "Their prominent role in election campaigns" -- Two words: Money, volunteers.

Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING

  • VOTER REGISTRATION: The Plainfield Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity is conducting a voter registration drive on Wednesday and Thursdays from 5:00 - 8:45 PM at the Plainfield Public Library through October 9th. Members will provide voter registration forms and assistance for those not currently registered to vote. Info: Jerry Black, (908) 922-5898 or the Library's Bob Golon, (908) 757-1111 x132.

  • Today - September 28. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Organ Recital. Eric Plutz, University Organist at Princeton, formerly organist and music director, Church of the Epiphany, Washington, DC. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, Watchung Avenue at East 7th Street. Tickets: $20, $15/senior, $5/student. Info: (908) 756-2468 or www.crescentconcerts.org/.

  • Tomorrow - September 29. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue.

  • Tuesday - September 30. 9 AM. 'Chamber Walk'. Members of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce will be walking in the South Avenue shopping district to meet business owners and hear about their needs and concerns.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


REAL ESTATE SUNDAY


SMALL PICTURE
Closings: "Will the renters be out by the closing date?"
Evoking Previous Owners: "In a splotch, a Rohrschach test"
Selling: "Getting inventive to seduce buyers"
Sellling: "It pays to be prepared, and patient"
BIG PICTURE
Deconstruction: "This old (recyclable) house" -- Plainfield has had a recent example.
J
ersey Suburbs: "Scaling back in suburbia" -- An end to the era of McMansions?
Sales: "Raffles: Real estate's latest game of chance"
TOOLS
This Week's Sales: "NYTimes's Residential Sales Around the Region" -- Week of Sept. 28, 2008.
Ledger: "Home Finder", "Premier Estates" and "Real Estate" sections online.
Courier: "Real Estate" section online.
Trulia: "Your Personal Real Estate Google"
Mortgages: "US Mortgage Payment Index"
Buy or Rent?: "Cost Comparison Tool" -- Enter your own values to calculate which is better, buying or renting. A really neat tool!


CENTRAL JERSEY



eBay: "Middlesex County turning to eBay to auction surplus items"
Paper Mill Playhouse: "Grand revival for milestone season" -- That would be 'Oklahoma!'.
St. Peter's Hospital: "Legionnaire's Disease infects 8th patient" -- Gannett |
Zimmerli Art Museum: "Painting for the Grave" -- Face to face with Stalinist horrors.


STATE


The Auditor -- For political junkies: "Sunday, September 28, 2008"

Pro Soccer: "Red Bull Stadium under construction in Harrison"
Suicides: "Study: Rural NJ has highest suicide rate"
Wall Street Impact: "Tied to Wall Street, state feels the shock"
Wildlife Refuges: "State's wildlife refuges in crisis"

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


NATION / WORLD


2008 Campaigns --
Wall Street Bailout: "Congressional negotiators strike a bailout deal"
Subprime Crisis: "Instruments of finance -- and confusion"


OF INTEREST

Obituary: "Paul Newman, Actor, Philanthropist" -- An appreciation here and here; filmography here.

Doo-Wop: "Doo-wop lives on at Ocean Grove" -- The Emburys.

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

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Bloggers agree: Library book sale at must-do.. Dan gets post up (late).. PEP & District: Honeymoon in trouble?.. No response from Mayor on Muhlenberg?

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers -- Bernice, Maria and Dan tout today's Library Book Sale -- be there or be square! Maria also wonders about a perceived chill by the District toward PEP. Olddoc ponders the Wall Street crisis and the presidential candidate's debate. Restore Muhlenberg notes no word from Mayor Robinson-Briggs about taking over the Muhlenberg monitor process. At PEPtalk, Renata seems to hint at difficulties with (some? one?) principals over parent-related activities. At Plainfield Sports News, soccer fans rejoice at the debut of XtremBol tomorrow. Assemblyman Green reveals that we have had eight years of McCain/Palinism in Plainfield (three under Mayor Robinson-Briggs?) and it's time for a change. Keep that coherent blogging going!!


Connolly Properties: "Management company asks racketeering suit be dismissed"
Obituary: "James Robinson" -- Husband of Reaver Robinson.


Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING

  • VOTER REGISTRATION: The Plainfield Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Phi fraternity is conducting a voter registration drive on Wednesday and Thursdays from 5:00 - 8:45 PM at the Plainfield Public Library through October 9th. Members will provide voter registration forms and assistance for those not currently registered to vote. Info: Jerry Black, (908) 922-5898 or the Library's Bob Golon, (908) 757-1111 x132.

  • Today - September 27. 9:30 AM - 3 PM. Book Sale at the Library. Mystery, romance, and other things you can't keep your hands off at the Plainfield Public Library this Saturday! Always a bountiful and interesting selection, plus your purchase (at bargain prices) helps fund program activities at the Library. How could you not? At the Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. FREE.
    .
  • Today - September 27. 9 AM - 1 PM. Tour: Architectural Treasures of Teale. A 19th century New Jersey architect who specialized in churches, Oscar S. Teale was also an amateur magician and a friend of Houdini. Teale designed several central New Jersey churches, four of which (plus his own home in North Plainfield's Washington Park Historic District) will be open for the tour. These include the First Unitarian Society, the 7th Day Baptist Church, Wilson Memorial Chapel in Watchung and the German Reformed Church in North Plainfield. Lunch and talk at FUSP included. Tickets: $25/advance, $30/door. Checks may be made out to FUSP and mailed to FUSP, 724 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060.

  • Tomorrow - September 28. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Organ Recital. Eric Plutz, University Organist at Princeton, formerly organist and music director, Church of the Epiphany, Washington, DC. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, Watchung Avenue at East 7th Street. Tickets: $20, $15/senior, $5/student. Info: (908) 756-2468 or www.crescentconcerts.org/.

  • Monday - September 29. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue.

  • Tuesday - September 30. 9 AM. 'Chamber Walk'. Members of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce will be walking in the South Avenue shopping district to meet business owners and hear about their needs and concerns.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY


Perth Amboy: "Mayor Diaz, Vas tussle over control of two agencies"
St. Peter's Medical Center: "7th patient tests positive for Legionnaire's disease"
South Plainfield: "Security cams to be installed at middle, high schools"


STATE



Week's Winners & Losers: "PolitickerNJ: This week's winners & losers"

Affordable Housing: "Appeals court turns down request for overseer"
Dodge Poetry Festival: "Rhyme and reason reign at fest"
Legislature: "Rutgers prof tapped to head ethics commission"
Vietnam Memorial: "NJ Vietnam Education Center celebrates 10 years"
Wedding Photos: "Judge delays ruling in plan to repay customers of defunct wedding studio"
Tappan Zee: "NY State to replace, not repair, Tappan Zee bridge"

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.

Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD



2008 Campaigns --
Bailout Plan: "Economists say House GOP plan ineffective, costly"
Sen. Stevens Corruption Trial: "'Keep no paper trail' on Stevens' home, Veco bookkeeper told"


OF INTEREST


SmartPhones: "Behold the Google/T-Mobile G1"

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