C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Budget hanky-panky?.. FOSH garage sale Sunday.. Police activity spikes in '08.. Drake House in Four Centuries event..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice on the proposed budget's $1.7M deficit. Olddoc warns we should be concerned about the fiscal health of the city. PEPtalk alerts all to its upcoming 10/27 meeting. Plainfield Sports News sets us up for the NJ Wolves vs. the Brooklyn Mariners at Seidler. Assemblyman Green posts what looks to be the official press release on Corzine's economic package presented yesterday (there is no attribution), including Green's bill A2517.

FY2009 Budget: "Activity spike focus of police presentation to Council"

Eminent Domain: "Judge voids section of Union's redevelopment plan, saying area 'not blighted'"
Voting Machines: "Voting machines critics press for release of report" -- In court this AM.

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


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES: The following street patterns changed 10/9/2008 as a result of ongoing NJT overpass work on the Raritan Valley line --

    • CLOSED: Central Avenue [Northbound/Southbound].
    • OPEN:
      • Southbound: Madison Avenue, New Street.
      • Northbound: Liberty Street.
      • All underpasses East of Madison and West of Liberty.

  • Four Centuries in a Weekend. Tomorrow and Sunday. Four Centuries in a Weekend Historic Tour. Plainfield's Nathaniel Drake House joins with 24 other historic sites countywide for this annual tour. In the midst of its $1.2M restoration, the city-owned museum will be open Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM and Sunday from Noon - 5 PM. The Nathaniel Drake House is at 602 West Front Street, at the foot of Plainfield Avenue.

  • Tomorrow - October 18. 8 AM - 2 PM. Household Special Waste Collection. Items accepted include: Batteries, tires (limit 8/household), propane tanks, paints & varnishes, aerosol cans, and more. (See full list, including conditions and exclusions here.) Sponsored by Union County. At Union County College, Springfield Avenue, Cranford. Pre-registration NOT required, but proof of Union County residence is. Info: (908) 654-9889.

  • Tomorrow - October 18. 9 AM. HERITAGE Show Choir Auditions. Plainfield's famed HERITAGE Show Choir, winner of the 2006 and 2008 McDonald's GospelFest is holding OPEN AUDITIONS this Saturday. Children from age 7 to 17 are eligible. Location: Bethel Presbyterian Church, 300 East 5th Street (corner of Roosevelt Avenu). Info: (908) 222-1722.

  • Sunday - October 19. 9 AM - 4 PM. FOSH Fall Garage Sale. By popular demand, Plainfield's oldest, biggest and best community garage sale is being offered in a Fall setting. Participating homes will be identified with balloons. Woodland, Watchung or Leland Avenues are good places to start as you work your way around -- or you can just pull over wherever you see a crowd. A not-to-be-missed Plainfield event attended by thousands yearly. FOSH is a nonprofit grassroots community organization. Among the activities it supports are scholarships to a graduating PHS senior, scholarships for classes at duCret Art School, maintenance of Leland Avenue Park and beautification of the Netherwood Train Station. Rain or shine. FREE.

  • Sunday - October 19. 9 AM - 3 PM. Annual 'HAL' Yard Sale. 'HAL' -- the Homeless Animal Lifeline -- does exactly what its name implies: helps homeless animals. Come on out for this annual multi-household yard sale to benefit HAL. Furniture, housewares, collectibles and more. At: 1326 Watchung Avenue.

  • Monday - October 20. 9:30 AM Registration. 'Last Chance 2008' Golf Outing: Benefit of the Tri-County Red Cross. 18 holes w/golf cart, full clubhouse access. Prizes and team awards. Brunch and dinner receptions, open bar cocktail hour, silent auction. $250/golfer ($100 tax deductible). To reserve your foursome, call Corinna Krauskopf at (908) 756-6414 or visit www.tricountyredcross.org/lastchance.

  • Monday - October 20. 8 PM. City Council Business Meeting. City Council Chambers/Courthouse. Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street.

  • Wednesday - October 22. 7 - 8:30 PM. League of Women Voters Candidate Forum. Candidates for City Council seats in the November general election will participate the forum, a League tradition dating back more than 80 years. Resident Brenda Gilbert is running a write-in campaign for the Ward 3 seat. Candidates on the ballot are: Annie McWilliams (citywide at-large), Adrian Mapp (Ward 3) and William Reid (Ward 1). All are Demcorats. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room of the Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. Info: (908) 756-9682. All are welcome.

  • Wednesday - October 22. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - October 24. 7 PM. In Concert: Jim Scott, Songs of Peace and the Environment. An acoustic guitarist acclaimed for his work with the Paul Winter Consort, proceeds of the concert will provide compact flourescent bulbs to be distributed through the church's food pantry. Sponsor and venue: First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Avenue. Tickets: $15/ adults, $5/12 and under. Free childcare available. Info: (732) 287-5181.

  • Saturday - October 25. 10 AM - 3 PM. Community Scrapbooking and Memory Making Event. Bring your favorite photos and learn how to tell your story. A scrapping share-and-swap table will be available. Albums and multicultural supplies will be available for purchase. Refreshments provided. Info: Recreation Division, (908) 753-3097.

  • Sunday - October 26. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Young Artists Showcase. Five exceptionally talented young artists under the age of 16 will appear in this eagerly awaited annual event. 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/.
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CENTRAL JERSEY

Stender/Lance Race: "Stender takes on Ledger' Mulshine over column on mailer" -- Mulshine column here.

Lead Contamination: "New EPA regulations put Middlesex County on the spot"
Metal Theft: "Copper wire stolen from Berkeley Heights cell tower"
Mortgage Fraud: "Hillside victims of mortgage fraud face foreclosure"
Single-sex Classes: "Hillsborough mulls single-sex classes for district"
South Plainfield: "Democratic Council's purchase of tainted land assailed"


STATE

Corzine's Economic Plan --
 Amtrak: "Bush signs Lautenberg's bill to boost funding"
Bryant Trial: "Pension chief reverses himself, says Bryant didn't break law"
Ft. Dix Terror Trial: "Jury seated, trial nears"
Social Security: "Seniors: Increase won't cover increased costs"
Vaccinations: "Hundreds protest new vaccination rules" -- Ledger | Gannett |
Waterloo Village: "In bitter end, antiques to be auctioned next week"
Workers' Comp: "Lawmakers consider advocate to help workers"

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


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
OF INTEREST
Safes: "With economy in tank, people bank on safes"
'Religulous' Filming: "Pastor said he had archdiocesan approval" -- He said, he said boosts ticket sales?
BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 11:10 AM