C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Cohen finally charged in child porn.. Noted Muslim at PHS Saturday.. Bernice: 'Kingmaker' looks at 2009.. 'Blue Xmas' services help stressed out..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:


Ex-Assemblyman Neil Cohen
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice reports that 'kingmaker' John Campbell looks forward to 2009. Maria reports some long-awaited 'city' trees have arrived. Olddoc notes there may be snow and pictures it, along with holiday wishes to all. Everyone else? Looking for their snow shovels?.


Islam: "Top Muslim speaker at PHS Saturday" -- Masjidullah Plainfield brings noted imam to speak.
Nursing Homes: "Central Jersey nursing homes evalated" -- Includes link to searchable online database.
UEZs: "Corzine signs bill to help small businesses in UEZs"

'Blue Christmas': "Special services comfort those with losses, stresses" -- List of services (including St. Peter's Lutheran, North Plainfield).
Budgets - Editorial, SL: "The penalty for overspending" -- Besides layoffs, possibilities include deferred raises, payless leaves, and more.

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


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • CANNED GOODS DRIVE: The Plainfield Youth Basketball Program is conducting its annual 'Give Back to Our Community' food drive. Canned goods and nonperishable food items collected will be donated to Plainfield-base feeding programs. You can drop off items Thursday, December 18, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, or Saturday,December 20, 9 AM - Noon at either Maxson or Hubbard school gyms. Or call Lenny Cathcart at (908) 822-7249 to make other arrangements.

  • FREE PARKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS has begun in both the Downtown and South Avenue shopping districts.

  • FY2009 BUDGET: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

  • Today - December 18. 6 PM. Plainfield United Way Community Council. The December meeting will review the holiday toy drive, health care initiatives, and the 1909 house tour. Light dinner will be served. At the UCPC Behavioral Health Care Center, 117 Roosevelt Avenue (next to the PMUA building). Info: Jeff Scheckner, (908) 353-7171 x138.

  • Today - December 18. 7 PM - 2 AM (Showtime 11 PM). Plainfield Fire Division Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive. A must-do annual event, gathering toys for distribution to social service agencies AND having fun enjoying one of the holiday's great parties. ALY-US, featuring 'Supa' singing Follow Me. DJ 'D' from 88.7FM's Soulful Saturdays. At Los Faraones club, 111 East Front Street. Admission FREE with an unwrapped toy of $10 minimum value.

  • Today - December 18. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Saturday - December 20. 2 - 6 PM. Lecture: The Path to Jannah (Paradise). Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a vice president of the Islamic Society of North America and noted speaker, will focus on some of the principles of Islam. Sponsored by Masjidullah Plainfield, located at West 4th and Grant. Proceeds benefit the mosque's continued renovations. At: PHS Cafeteria. Tickets: $25. Info: Hajji Mahdee Najeeullah, (908) 561-6797 or Hajjah Vikki Abdus-Salaam, (908) 707-1161.

  • Saturday - December 20. 3 - 11 PM. Holiday Spectacular Boutique. Vendors galore, gift baskets, wine tasting, live jazz. At: HeardOne Complex, 210 Church Street. Info: (908) 755-9770. FREE.

  • Saturday - December 20. 8 PM - Midnight. The Rhythm of Plainfield: A Dance Celebration. From salsa to Hip Hop, 50s to Reggae, Line Dancing to R&B, a night of dancing and fun. All proceeds benefit the Plainfield Area YMCA 'Strong Kids' scholarship program. Light refreshments. Guest of honor: Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs. $75/person. Tickets available at the YMCA or at the door. At the Plainfield Area YMCA, Watchung Avenue and 6th Street. Info: Addy Bonet, (908) 756-6060 x101 or abonet@plainfieldy.org.

  • Sunday - December 21. 10 AM - 6 PM. Holiday Spectacular Boutique. Vendors galore, gift baskets, wine tasting, live jazz. At: HeardOne Complex, 210 Church Street. Info: (908) 755-9770. FREE.

  • Sunday - December 21. Sundown. Hanukkah Begins.

  • Monday - December 22. 7 PM. 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.

  • Tuesday - December 23. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Wednesday - December 24. 5:30 - 6:30 PM. (Rain or shine.) Santa's Christmas Eve Visit. Once again, kids and parents will join at Leland Avenue Park for Santa's visit before he begins his journey. (Santa will arrive promptly at 5:45 PM and greet the kids and distribute candy canes for about 20 minutes.) Cider, hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Bring a non-perishable food item for the food basket to be donated to a local food pantry. Leland Avenue Park is adjacent to Cook School pond. For info or to help out, call Jen at (908) 561-9575. All are invited.

  • Thursday - December 25. Christmas Day.

  • Friday - December 26. Kwanzaa Begins.

  • Saturday - December 27. 1 - 6 PM. Kwanzaa Celebration. Celebrate the year-end festival (from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1) of family, community and culture with crafts, vendors, dance & drumming, storytelling, poetry, foods and a special Kwanzaa program. Special guests: The Cherokee Nation of New Jersey. Sponsored by the Division of Recreation. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in the Spooner Avenue lot). FREE.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY
Neil Cohen Case: "Former Assemblyman charged with having child porn"

EWR: "Newark first major hub to test satellite-based air traffic control"


STATE

Bernie Madoff Fallout --
 Affordable Housing --
 Hospital Errors Reports: "Reports are a bad news, good news story"
Medical Marijuana - Editorial, SL: "Yes to medical marijuana"
Supremes: "Court OKs 'super lawyers' tooting their own horn"

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


NATION / WORLD

Obama Transition --
 Economy: "States spread pain by squeezing cities"
GOP: "A guide to the RNC chair race"
Iraq: "Generals propose a timetable"
White House: "What will change look like in White House décor?"


OF INTEREST
Church Diversity: "Study finds churches more diverse than ever"

Discrimination: "Judge jails Georgia woman over Muslim head scarf"
Zero: "Here goes nothing" -- The idea of charging nothing to borrow money.

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

Posted by Dan at 10:29 AM