C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Gangs in Plainfield.. FOSH holiday buffet tonight.. Count Bernice in as an 'old grouch'.. Olddoc: Why you should care about the Big 3..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:


Graffiti on Madison Ave. indicating MS-13, a Latino gang.
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice joins Dr. Yood in questioning the proposed Council site changes. Olddoc gives real reasons you should ponder the Big 3 bailout. PPS News says MealPayPlus, an online program to manage student food purchases, is up and running. Plainfield Sports News notes a change in the girls' basketball scrimmage schedule. The Assemblyman is developing a penchant for posting the press releases of others -- today, the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ. Hey, it beats beating your brains out writing something!


Gangs: "Gang awareness symposium at YWCA tonight"
Home Invasion: "Plainfield man sentenced to 40 years in home invasion"
Vehicular Homicide: "Plainfield man's request to withdraw plea denied"

NJT: "NJT orders 57 new buses to revamp fleet" -- Including some NYC commuter routes.
Recidivism: "Study: Intensive parole reduces recidivism" -- Duh.

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


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • 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.

  • Today - 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.

  • Today - 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. 1 - 4 PM. Holiday Bazaar. 'Healthy Living' and 'Going Green' gift baskets featuring Shaklee products. Tasty treats and lots of holiday ideas. Host: Claudia Slaten. At: 745 Ravine Road. Info: (908) 222-1778.

  • 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. 6 PM. Christmas Play: Joy In My Soul. A Christmas play presented by Rose of Sharon Community Church and In His Name Productions. At Rose of Sharon Community Church, 825 West 7th Street (near Grant). Donation: $10, Seniors/Under 15: $5.

  • 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 PM. Concert: Watoto Children's Choir. This renowned choir of Ugandan young people who have lost parents to AIDS will bring their special message of hope in the fight against AIDS/HIV in Africa. Sponsored by United Presbyterian Church and Nuevas Fronteras. At United Presbyterian Church, 525 West Front Street (parking and entrance in the rear). A freewill offering will be taken. Info: United Presbyterian Church, (908) 756-2666.

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


CENTRAL JERSEY

Elizabeth Parochial Schools: "Lesniak and former altar boy Cryan push UEZ bill that would help"
New Brunswick: "Former Housing Rehab director gets 7 years" -- $112K in bribes.
North Plainfield: "Victorian house tour Saturday"
North Plainfield: "3 arrested returning stolen bed frame" -- An Abbott & Costello routine.
Rutgers: "Rutgers fires athletic director Mulcahy" -- Ledger | Courier |
Warren Twp.: "Divorce mediator indicted for threatening girlfriend"


STATE

Affordable Housing --
 Atlantic City: "Casino revenue down again in November"
Chris Christie: "Christie: NJ has 'too much government'" -- Test-driving a campaign theme?
Film Investment: "EDA rethinks its film career" -- Investing in movies? Not any more.
NJN: "NJN Foundation ratifies Manahan for top job"
Same-Sex Marriage --
 Sheneman's Cartoon is here.
Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD

Obama Transition --
 Blagojevich Case --
 Chertoff: "Illegal workers in Chertoff home"
FDIC's Bair: "Fighting foreclosures, FDIC draws fire -- from GOP"


OF INTEREST

Donor Intent: "Princeton settles suit with family over management of endowment" -- But get the terms!
 Koshering: "Label says kosher, ethics says otherwise" -- Debate over labor conditions and kosher label.
Playing Outdoors: "Outdoor activities lose allure for today's kids" -- What's happened to 'Go outside and play!'?

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

Posted by Dan at 9:00 AM