C L I P S: Mayor's kill-the-messenger attitude.. Plainfield cop wants DWI test kept out of his trial.. Burney posts Dashield presentation..

PLAINFIELD

"Plainfield mayor's 'kill-the-messenger' attitude on budget review"

Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice notes torch-runners en route from Mexico CiOty to St. Patrick's Cathedral in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe will be in Plainfield today. Olddoc takes up Monday's Council meeting with two entries. PEPtalk looks into why kids drop out and how to change that. PPS News reports on the provision of more than 40 pairs of glasses to Plainfield students by LensCrafters, and a districtwide meeting of Dr. Gallon with secretaries. Assemblyman Green posts a copy of a letter from Speaker Roberts and himself asking for an extension of the COAH deadline, and a press release from the Leauge of Municipalities in response. Councilor Burney posts C.A. Dashield's budget presentation from Monday online.

Assault by Auto: "Veteran Plainfield cop wants DWI test kept out of trial in 3-car accident"
FY2009 Budget: "Council mulls additional ways to cut budget"
FOSH & Seniors: "FOSH distributes compact flourescent bulbs to Seniors" -- Through HelpLightNJ, a nonprofit.
Muhlenberg, Letter - SL: "How the governor can really help"

Emergency Room Care: "Study ranks NJ's ERs as C+"
Development: "Asbury Park's $100M project downsizes, reconfigures and will rename"
Gangs: "Anti-gang drive leads to arrest of 1,800 statewide" -- Why don't I feel better about this story?
Pre-school & Crime: "Fran Wood: Study shows preschool fights crime"

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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.
Tomorrow - 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. 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/.