Where Plainfield turns for news.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Dan frets over McCain's mobs.. Maria on Gallon's first 100 days.. PEPtalk posts Gallon email.. Wall Street crisis hits NJ developers..

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Maria launches a series on Dr. Gallon's first 100 days. At PEPtalk, Renata posts Dr. Gallon's response to her email (her comments are in blue). Plainfield Sports News celebrates PHS over Shabazz, and the Wolves vs. the Spartans at Seidler Field. Those interested in the vexed question of the 'pocket park' on West Front Street may want to check out Councilor Burney's inventory of Plainfield's open spaces. Olddoc and Bernice are taking a break, as is the Assemblyman, evidently. Nothing wrong with that -- Sunday used to be a day of rest.
The Courier has an editorial on the Robinson-Briggs bodyguards, not online yet. Will post when/if it comes up.

POP Rally: "Plainfield rallies to stop violence" -- Gallery of photos here.

Development: "Wall Street woes stall Jersey development" -- No woes for Plainfield?

Citizen Activism: "Opponents of redevelopment turn to YouTube"
Conflict of Interest: "Council connections to developer prompt opinion"
Personal Finance: "Rational thinking is a haven from panic" | "The frugal teen, ready or not"
Suburbs: "Birth of the 'burbs: Levittown (Willingboro) at 50"

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 --

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

  • Today - October 12. 9 AM - 3 PM. Yard Sale. Furniture, china, bric-a-brac, art, etc. Remainder of contents of Coriell Mansion. At 803 Stelle Avenue at Central Avenue.

  • Today - October 12. 7 PM. Matthew Shepard Commemoration. Remembering Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was brutally murdered in Wyoming exactly ten years ago. Actor Lou Liberatore will read selections from The Laramie Project with Ocean HS students. Asw Mary Pat Angelini, Thomas Howard of the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Fr. Bob Kaeding of Center House. In Asbury Park, 5th Avenue at the ocean front. Sponsored by Ocean Grove United and GSE. All are welcome.

  • Tuesday - October 14. Last day to REGISTER to vote for the November General (Presidential) Election. Information: Union County Board of Elections, 271 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208. (908) 527-4121.

  • Tuesday - October 14. 7 PM. Stender/Lance Debate. One-hour debate, live, Channel 12 News.

  • Tuesday - October 14. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue.

  • Wednesday - October 15. 7:30 PM. Cultural & Heritage Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Wednesday - October 15. 9 PM. Third Presidential Debate. Obama and McCain at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Moderated by Bob Schieffer, host of Face the Nation. This debate will focus on domestic and economic policy.

  • Thursday - October 16. 7 PM. Superintendent's Town Hall Meeting. The Superintendent and other district leaders will share the exciting programs and activities planned for the new school year, and engage the community in a dialog. (See agenda here.) Hosted by Superintendent Steve Gallon III. At Clinton School, West 4th Street and Clinton Avenue. All are welcome!

  • Thursday - October 16. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Saturday - 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.

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


REAL ESTATE SUNDAY


SMALL PICTURE
Décor-Speak: "As housing slows, what happens to 'décor-speak'?"
Mortgages: "When an ARM makes sense"
Selling: "When FSBOing doesn't work, call for help"
Stone Harbor: "Fine White Sand and Summer Cottages"
BIG PICTURE
What Triggered the Crisis?: "Private sector mortgages, not Fannie or Freddie" -- Contrary to talk radio, Fannie & Freddie do not make loans at all -- they underwrite them.
Credit Unions: "Loan troubles spread to credit unions"
TOOLS
This Week's Sales: "NYTimes's Residential Sales Around the Region" -- Week of Ocotber 12, 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



Stender/Lance Race: "7th CD contenders call for backup" -- Clinton, Romney to pitch in.
East Orange: "Targeted policing, Comstat technology credited for crime rate drop"

Newark: "New plans for police chief: Director of Public Safety" -- Completing the game of musical chairs?


STATE


Bryant Trial: "Bryant trial lifts curtain on Trenton practices"
The Economy: "Jersey families feeling the economic pinch"
Energy Plan: "Goals high in plan seen as key for state"
Guns: "Shop owner wins over law limiting sales"
Public Housing: "J.C. prepares to demolish, replace Montgomery Gardens"
Voter Registration: "State makes amends with offer through personal letter"

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


NATION / WORLD


2008 Campaigns --
The American Future: "A power that may not stay so super"
Market Meltdown: "White House revising rescue plan" -- Does anyone know what they're doing?


OF INTEREST

Campaign Halloween Masks: "Sarah Palin" -- Chicago Tribune; 1st of 4masks. Print, cut out and wear.

Same-Sex Marriage: "Gay marriage ruled legal in Connecticut"

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