C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Friday, October 24, 2008

'Crayola' documents at budget hearing.. Solaris bond approved.. Home tour tomorrow.. Letters to Chase Banks: 'Payback time'..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice urges us to get in touch with our 'inner New Englander' and take up mending (shades of my mother's darning egg'), and ponders homelessness and living in cars. Maria wonders how 'green' Plainfield's school system is. Olddoc asks 'Does the city have a serious buyer for Muhlenberg?' and posts more of his memoir and a pic of the Grant Avenue station sent in by a reader. At PEPtalk, Renata takes up the 'art of dialoguing'.

Solaris: "$170M bond approved to restructure debt; add beds at JFK"

Chase Bank Letters: "Threatening letters: 'It's payback time'" -- Still no mention of Plainfield. If a tree falls and the papers don't hear it, did it happen?
Homes Tour: "Citywide tour will take place tomorrow" -- A homeowner, reading this piece, remarked 'This is a press release, not a news story'.

Foreclosures: "NJ foreclosures rise, putting state 8th in nation"
Immigrants: "Report: AG should enter into discussions on local police and immigration status"
Illegal Immigrants: "In its final weeks, Bush administration plans crackdown on 140,000 businesses"

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WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • BUDGET CALENDAR: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

    • Mon Oct 20 | Fire Division and $1.66M error.
    • Thu Oct 23 - 7:30 PM, City Hall Library | Extra budget meeting: IT [Information Technology], Public Information, and Project Alert [Dudley House].
    • Fri Oct 31 | Citizens Budget Advisory Committee sends budget recommendations to council.
    • Fri Nov 7 | City Council sends budget changes to Council finance committee.
    • Mon Nov 10 | City Council discusses budget changes and recommendations (from CBAC) with self, and requests administration comment and implementation. CBAC presentation of recommendations to City Council.
    • Wed Nov 13 | Administration responds electronically to change recommendations.
    • Mon Nov 17 | Resolution for budget changes is finalized and brought forward.
    • Mon Nov 24 | Public hearing on FY2009 Budget.
    • Mon Dec 1 | FY2009 Budget adoption..

  • Today - October 24. 6:30 - 8:30PM. Chamber of Commerce Networking Event. The Chamber's monthly after-work networking event. Bring your business cards and your 30-second elevator speech and enjoy light refreshments mingling with other members and guests. You'll be surprised at the connections you make. At: Coldwell Banker Park Avenue Realtors, 1015 Park Avenue. FREE to members, $10 for guests. Those who join or renew at the event will receive a special bonus. Information: call the Chamber Office at (908) 753-2296 or email at plainfield.chamber@gmail.com.

  • Today - 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.

  • Tomrrow - 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/.

  • Monday - October 27. 6:30 PM. 'African Heritage in the Latin Caribbean'. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Plainfield's Cultural and Heritage Commission offers a presentation by Dr. Orlando Edreira. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room, Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. FREE.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 3 - 9 PM. FOSH Pre-Halloween Dine Out. Take a break from fixing dinner, call a few friends and put together a table. Meet new neighbors and old friends, and check out one of Plainfield's favorite dining spots -- The Queen City Diner. Brian will donate a portion of the evening's receipts to FOSH in support of its PHS Scholarships, Netherwood Station beautification and the Leland Avenue Park. Brian Schoenberger's Queen City Diner (http://www.queencitydiner.com/) is at 1324 South Avenue. Putting a group together? Give Brian a heads up at (908) 756-7900.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - October 31. 6 PM. Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. The Recreation Division's annual family party includes a haunted house, a costume contest, prizes, snacks and lots of fun for all. A safe and fun alternative for children ages 5 - 10. Parents MUST accompany children. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Info: (908) 753-3097.
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CENTRAL JERSEY

Perth Amboy: "Vas voices confidence in face of FBI investigation" -- | Gannett | Ledger |
Pru Arena: "Newark asks state to put taxes on ice"
Vauxhall: "Whole Foods brings its wares to Vauxhall" -- While the mayor can't get even a Pathmark to Plainfield.


STATE

Corzine Relief Package: "Legislators act to help businesses, homeowners"

Bryant Trial: "Witness: Dean not rewarded for hiring Bryant"
Corruption: "Bergen Freeholders subpoenaed" -- Record | PolitickerNJ | -- Centering on website contract?
Dem Slush Fund: "Schluter: DeCroce should have reported Codey"
Educators: "Measures gain to limit payouts to educators" -- And curtail diploma mill abuses.
Health Insurance: "Cost to families outpaces earnings increases"
Public Colleges: "Reform effort would reduce tuition aid"
Valley Bankcorp: "Valley's earnings thrown for a loss"

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


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
 The Economy: "Greenspan takes some blame for economic meltdown" -- But not enough.
Environment: "EPA weakens new lead rule after White House pressure"
NY Times Co.: "S&P downgrades New York Times to junk status" -- The New. York. Times. -- for God's sake!


OF INTEREST

Debt Collectors: "Get a clue...about dealing with debt collectors"
Donor Intent: "Retired judge gets Princeton case over use of endowment"
Geriatrics: "More elderly, fewer doctors; Boomers face the brunt"
ROTC: "ROTC offers a fighting chance to become an officer" -- Many Afghan, Iraq vets pursue officer status. Remind me to tell you someday why I didn't get into the Air Force OCS program.
BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 11:35 AM