Where Plainfield turns for news.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Horse & Wagon ride today.. Jerry Green 'saddened' by LWV forum.. Our Lady of Guadalupe events.. PEPtalk: Important parent survey online..

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice calls attention to the weeklong events getting under way in anticipation of Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day (Dec. 12). With Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day tomorrow, Olddoc ponders terrorism, vigilance and intelligence gathering. PEPtalk links to an important parent survey -- done only every 7-10 years -- the District is participating in. Check it out. The Assemblyman ponders Abbott Schools: Saddened by the LWV forum; Plainfield has 'closed the gap' in education; the new funding formula will not hurt Plainfield; a defense of Councilor Burney (who was attacking him?); and a good, old-fashioned Dan-bash. Happy Holidays.



Robbery: "Plainfield man convicted of robbing Watchung store"


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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).

  • 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 6. 10 AM - 1 PM. Holiday Bazaar. Crafts, gifts, jewelry, art, cards, decorations, books (some with author signings), cosmetics and services. Cake and pie raffle. Dessert items for sale -- by the piece or whole. (Orders taken for desserts to be delivered later.) Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund of the New Covenant Christian Academy (NCCA) -- last year the school offered 10 scholarships. At First Park Baptist Fellowship Hall, West 7th & Central (parking in the lot on Central Avenue, entry to the Fellowship Hall is directly off the lot). New Covenant Christian Academy (NCCA) is a private school housed at First Park Baptist.

  • Today - December 6. 11 AM - 1 PM. Fire Safety Fun Day. Bring the kids for a fun-filled day of Fire Safety and Prevention. Fun activities and surprises. Sponsored by Kean U. students. At Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue, Union (directly across from Kean campus). FREE.

  • Today - December 6. Noon - 3 PM. 4th Annual Holiday Horse & Wagon Ride. Catch your ride in one of two staging areas: West Front Street (near McDonald's) and Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue. Wagon rides. Hot chocolate. Goody bags (with $5 KFC gift certificates). Drawing for 'World's Largest Christmas Stocking' at 3:30 PM at Plainwood Square (entry forms at both sites, winner must be present). Special appearances by Santa and his Elf. EVERYTHING IS FREE.

  • 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. 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/.
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CENTRAL JERSEY


South Plainfield: "GOP-dominated Council plans suit against ex-boro attorney" -- That would be Asm. Diegnan, chair of the South Plainfield Dem Committee.
Suliga Widow Lawsuit: "Judge won't change verdict that put blame on Suliga's driver"


STATE



Affordable Housing: "Trenton explores extending affordable housing deadline"
Unemployment Offices: "Corzine deploys workers to centers to aid applicants" -- Red-faced, to be sure.

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.

Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD



Obama --
Bush Reflects: "In closing days, Bush reflects on his record"
Palin: "3 stylists for Palin cost campaign $165,000" -- Beyond the clothes costs.


OF INTEREST



African-American History: "Web catalog tracks African slave trade over three centuries" -- The online genealogy tool is here.
O.J.: "Simpson sentenced to 9 to 33 years" -- Transcripts: "Judge Jackie Glass" | "O.J.'s statement" |

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