C L I P S: Another Homicide.. Plainfield taxes compared.. Charter Schools draw concern.. Burney on budget delays..

PLAINFIELD

Comcast email servers apparently had problems Saturday, which seem to be persisting. Sorry... Dan

PLAINFIELD TODAY:

"Plainfield: Union County Property Taxes Compared" -- 2008 taxes, town-by-town ranking.

Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice notes the audit is on tap for Tuesday's BOE. Olddoc remembers Pearl Harbor, 67 years ago today. Councilor Burney totes up factors weighing against adopting a budget before Dec. 31 -- and proposes a change for next year. Councilor-elect Mapp reports on a fact he learned about tax-exemptions at the League convention in A.C.

Charter Schools: "Newest charter school drawing interest -- and concern"
Homicide: "Plainfield man dead after stabbing" -- Quick! Identify a parking lot on Watchung Avenue.
Tsunami Track Club: "Club gets back on track in Plainfield"

PSE&G Legislation: "Bill to recover costs more quickly pits consumers against utility" -- Pay attention here!
Trails Grants: "Competition rises for trails grants" -- As in Plainfield's Green Brook bike trail plan.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

Highway Alert: Route 78 and GSP lane shifts this weekend allowing construction to begin for new flyovers for expanded interchange (see details here).
Holiday Toy Drive for the Red Cross: Once again, Joe Burris, John Nash and the Sleepy Hollow Realtors team are collecting toys for the Plainfield Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bring your donation of a new, unwrapped toy for a boy or girl BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, to Sleepy Hollow Realtors, 1304 South Avenue. Info: (908) 822-0550.
Food Donations Needed: Consider donating to your a local religious organization's feeding program or food pantry, or give to the COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NJ: Accepts dry, refrigerated or frozen food. Distributes food to charities throughout the state. Location: 31 Evans Terminal Road, Hillside, N.J. Info: (908) 355-3663; or visit njfoodbank.org/.
FY2009 BUDGET: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.
Monday - December 8. 6:30 PM. YWCA: Holiday Open House and Hanging of the Greens. Celebrate the new leadership, new energy and new vision for the Plainfield area's YWCA. Welcoming the return of the performing arts to the YW's historic theatre, as well as performances by the award-winning Soumas HERITAGE Gospel Choir, the YW's very own M.PoWer dancers and the cast of Annie Jr. Tricky Tray, refreshments. At the Central Jersey YWCA, East Front and Church Streets. Info: (908) 756-3500.
Monday - December 8. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue.
Monday - December 8. 8 PM. Van Wyck Brooks HD Monthly Meeting. Continuing to plan for the annual 12th Night Dinner (January 10, 2009) and an update on the Abbott Manor Nursing Home situation. Meeting at 977 Madison Avenue.
Thursday - December 11. 7 - 10 PM. Gang Awareness Symposium. Join with the Boys and Girls Club and YWCA young people and parents to learn of street gangs in Plainfield. Guest speakers, entertainment and special awards to honor some of Plainfield's youth. Featuring: The Street Warriors of Newark. Free child care and light refreshments. Underwritten by PNC Bank. At the YWCA, East Front and Church Streets. Info: Karen Hall at Boys & Girls Club, (908) 822-8672 x108 or khall@bgcuc.org.
Thursday - December 11. 6:30 - 11 PM. FOSH Holiday Party. Join friends and neighbors in a holiday celebration, with music, at Freshwaters. $30/guest includes choice of two entrees, house salad, side dishes, beverage and dessert. BYOB. Please RSVP by Dec. 6 to Kathleen at (908) 668-1595 or by email to fosh@foshnj.com.
Saturday - December 13. 10 AM - 6 PM. 'Operation Safe Streets' Gun Exchange. A no-questions-asked gun turn-in program. Turn in a working firearm and get a choice of $50 gift card. Sponsored by the Plainfield Fire Division, FMBA #7 and FOA #207. At Fire Division Headquarters, West 4th Street and Central Avenue. Info: (908) 753-3484.
Saturday - December 13. 10 AM. Charter School Informational. An opportunity for parents of children entering grade 6 or 7 in September 2009 to learn of and apply for the Pressman Charter School, Plainfield's newest. The school will emphasize high academics using music as an integral part of its curriculum approach. At the Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. Info: (973) 635-6944 or visit the school's website here.
Saturday - December 13. 11 AM. Grand Opening: State Farm Insurance. State Farm agent Deseral Mashel Neal invites all to the Grand Opening of her new State Farm agency. Light refreshments will be served. Her offices are located in the new County Office Building, 200 West Second Street, Suite 102. Info: (908) 757-3415 or email deseral72@yahoo.com.
Saturday - December 13. 3 - 6 PM. Holiday Afternoon Tea. A holiday tea hosted by the YMCA's Board of Directors and CEO Addy Bonet. Enjoy champagne, spiced cider and teas from around the world. In support of the 'Strong Kids' campaign to create scholarships for Plainfield Area YMCA programs. At The Pillars B&B, 922 Central Avenue. Please RSVP by Dec. 8 to (908) 756-6060 x101 or abonet@plainfieldy.org.
Saturday - December 13. 8 PM. Concert: 'From Soup to Nuts', a Holiday Feast. Many Plainfielders have enjoyed the holiday concerts of the NJ Gay Men's Chorus, a statewide choral group headquartered in Princeton. Donations of non-perishable food items brought to the concert will benefit a local food bank. This year's concert is at the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook, 409 Mountain Avenue. Tickets: $20/advance, $15/students & seniors, $25/at the door. Info: (609) 396-7774 or visit www.njgmc.org.
Sunday - December 14. 5:30 PM. Crescent Concerts: Yuletide by Candlelight. The Crescent Singers present their annual offering of holiday music and carols. 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/.