C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Dance honoring Mayor postponed.. PHS misses AYP, must restructure.. Plainfield Pru worker indicted in fraud.. Letter: Residents can't absorb tax hike.

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
I am posting early and light today. Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers below.

Schools: "PHS misses AYP for 6th year, must restructure" -- Courier | Ledger | DOE | -- Union County here (PDF).
Insurance Fraud: "Plainfield Pru worker indicted in $94K insurance fraud"
Letter - CN: Jay D. Ahlbeck: "Plainfield residents can't absorb tax hike"

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


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • CANNED GOODS DRIVE TODAY: 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-based feeding programs. You can drop off items today from 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 20. 9 AM - 2:30 PM. Blood Drive at PHS. Sponsored by the Phi Alpha/Kappa Alpha Association, with members from PHS and SPHS. Donors will receive two free tickets to a NJ Nets ball game. At the PHS gymnasium. Info: Karen Clarke-McPherson, (908) 397-8692.

  • Today - 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.

  • Today - 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.

  • Today - December 20. This event is being rescheduled for Spring 2009. 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.

  • Tomorrow - 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.

  • Tomorrow - 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

Bank Robbery: "Man with gun robs TD Bank on Rt 22" -- Courier | Ledger | -- Washington Avenue and Rt 22.
Somerset County: "Court rejects Dems' challenge on provisional ballot count"


NATION / WORLD

Auto Bailout: "UAW surrender?"
Madoff Ponzi Scheme: "Madoff whistleblower went unheeded for years"
Minnesota Election: "Franken takes lead in dramatic recount"
Sarah Palin: "Palin Soap Opera: Levi's mom busted on drug charges" -- Drug in question? See here.
War Crimes Trials?: "Will Bush officials face trial? Few expect it." -- Cheney on waterboarding here.


OF INTEREST
Yiddish Album Covers: "Oy, Vinyl!" -- Slideshow of 1950s and 60s album covers from a new book.

Evolution: "Alfred Russel Wallace's fans gear up for Darwinian struggle" -- As 150th nears, charges of plagiarism fly.
BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 9:07 AM