C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Hot: Powell endorses Obama.. FOSH sale, Drake House event today.. Tour of foreclosed properties offered.. Bernice: Budget explanation a stretch..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice finds the administration's explanation of the budget shortfall a bit of a stretch. Councilor Storch points out it will now be the Council's problem to clean up the Mayor's [budget] mess. Olddoc has three good ones (I'm partial to the peaceable Amish). Plainfield Sports News reports on the Mariners vs. the Wolves.
Real Estate Tour: "Realtors, Chamber, City sponsor tour of foreclosed properties"

Councilor Burney has a long 'Speaking Out' piece on GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin in today's Courier, not online as of this posting. Will put up when it comes up.

Three Doctors Foundation: "At Plainfield mentoring day, 3 doctors share their stories" -- Good news, and in the NYTimes yet.
Sports Bars: "Five for high fives and cheers, too" -- Five NJ sports bars reviewed.
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.

  • Today - 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.

  • Today - 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.

  • Today - Four Centuries in a Weekend. Last day today. 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 today from Noon - 5 PM. The Nathaniel Drake House is at 602 West Front Street, at the foot of Plainfield 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.

  • Thursday - October 23. 7 - 9 PM. Civil Unions, Marriage & Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples. Challenges facing same-sex couples mean customized estate planning is needed to ensure surviving loved ones are protected. Moderated by Christopher Bellis of Lamdba Legal, the panel will include financial advisors and an attorney. Light refreshments. Sponsored by Lambda Legal. At: Cent' Anni Restaurant, 5 Highland Place, Maplewood. Free, but reservations are required. RSVP to Matt Allen at Lambda Legal at mallen@lambdalegal.org or (212) 809-8585, x254.

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


REAL ESTATE SUNDAY

SMALL PICTURE
Architecture: "Honors for restored NJ Wright house"
Mortgages: "Prepay a mortgage? It depends."
Ponzi Schemes: "NJ Affordable Homes: Classic Ponzi ripoff"
Shared Driveways: "Trying to repair a shared driveway"
BIG PICTURE
Foreclosures:
TOOLS
This Week's Sales: "NYTimes's Residential Sales Around the Region" -- Week of October 19, 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

Far Hills Race: "As horses race, food and drink flow"
George St. Playhouse: "Review: The Toxic Avenger"
HS Football Brawl: "Colonia, Perth Amboy teams, fans end up in brawl"
Newark: "Women vie to sustain voice on Council" -- Six women face ten men in runoff for Rone seat.
Piscataway: "Race pits experience vs. frugality"
Somerville: "Small businesses feel presidential campaigns neglect them"
Union County: "All-Democratic Roselle council backs redistricting proposal for Freeholders"


STATE

Dem Slush Fund: "When the influential called, top lawmakers listened" -- Folder simply marked 'Norcross grants'.

Presidential Race --
 Wayne Bryant Trial: "Court to decide if he can use campaign funds for defense"
Business: "Community banks stay snug, like the fabled ant"
Energy Proposals: "Liquefied natural gas proposals pushed on Corzine"
Rutgers: "Lure of big-time sports propels Rutgers"

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


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
 The Economy: "Can the President tame a business cycle?" -- Eyepopping interactive chart, from Truman to W.
Homeownership: "Cisneros reflects on the good, bad and ugly of his efforts"


OF INTEREST
Feeding a Family: "Clipping coupons to put food on the table" -- Saving big bucks.
Parenting: "When kids take to athletic fields, parents fret on sidelines"

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

Posted by Dan at 10:32 AM