Bernice: City seeks $4M in federal grants.. Maria: Down the rabbit hole of school titles and certifications..
PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Jerry Green: "The rise and fall of Jerry Green"
PSE&G Rate Hikes: "Electric, gas rates hike request generates heat"
Red Cross: "Tri-County Red Cross responds to home fire"
Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Bernice notes the city seeks $4M in federal grants. Olddoc finds video of the first Ford assembly line -- check it out. Maria continues her adventures down the rabbit hole of school personnel titles and certifications. Jerry updates us on a new NJEA staff appointment (post comments on Jerry's blog here). Bo on the 22nd takes on climate change. Piv reports on Wednesday's budget deliberations. Councilor Burney lists three areas for budget focus. Councilor Mapp lists point-by-point steps to cut the budget. Councilor Storch outlines what some other towns are doing about budget dilemmas. CBAC (budget advisory committee) looks for your questions and/or comments -- citizens are chiming in, check it out and add your voice. Plainfield Sports News covers Boys basketball scrimmage, CJAH at PHS, and finds the Kings bringing indoor football to NJ.
Also, three personal blogs by Plainfielders, each with a point of view: Rebecca Williams' Confessions of a Bathrobe Blogger, Renata Hernandez' PEPTalk: Revisited, and Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On.
Bridgewater/Raritan HS: "Columbine-type attack threatened by teen" -- Courier | Ledger |
Edison: "Fourteen vie for single BOE seat"
Monroe: "State's tallest Chanukah menorah topples, hits traffic signal"
North Plainfield: "Borough man pleads guilty to string of robberies"
South Plainfield: "Borough gets $30M to clean up Cornell Dubilier site" -- Courier | Ledger |
Ass'n of Counties: "Lobbying group probed on how tax money is spent" -- Pre-meeting | Post-meeting | -- The private group whose officials get state pensions, benefits.
Gay Marriage: "Vote in Legislature unlikely until after new year"
Pay-to-Play: "Pay-to-play thrives in NJ: Cash still flows in local races" -- Editorial, Ledger.
| BERNICE'S PLAINTALKER | MARIA'S BLOG | DOC'S POTPOURRI | PIV FOR PLAINFIELD |
| PLAINFIELD SPORTS NEWS| PLAINFIELD TREES | COUNCILOR MAPP | COUNCILOR McWILLIAMS |
| COUNCILOR STORCH | COUNCILOR BURNEY | JERRY GREEN'S PAGE | BO ON THE 22nd |
| PLAINFIELD SPORTS NEWS| PLAINFIELD TREES | COUNCILOR MAPP | COUNCILOR McWILLIAMS |
| COUNCILOR STORCH | COUNCILOR BURNEY | JERRY GREEN'S PAGE | BO ON THE 22nd |
HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES: GIVING & GETTING
- (NEW) DQ Drive for Daybreak Kids: Dairy Queen's Donna Albanese is spearheading a drive for 200 children of incarcerated parents. For its holiday party, Plainfield's Daybreak Community Center needs new or gently used toys, sports gear, clothing, shoes, books and bikes. Items may be dropped off at the Dairy Queen before 5 PM, Tuesday, December 15. Donna reports the #1 request from kids is for bikes. Bike donations may be dropped off at her house (8 Pitching Way, Scotch Plains, leave in drive if no one home), where her husband will make necessary repairs and deliver them. Info: (908) 755-5994.
- Food Donations Needed: Consider donating to your 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/.
- Sacred Heart Home School Association 'Giving Tree'. The Association has committed to help four families for the holidays. Brian Schoenberger of Queen City Diner hosted a benefit on December 7. Those who were unable to attend may still send a check (make it payable to the Sacred Heart Home School Association, and put 'Giving Tree' in the memo section). Send to: The Giving Tree, c/o Greg Rhein, 115 Muglia Place, South Plainfield, NJ 07080.
- Today through Friday - December 18. Holiday Toy Drive by Sleepy Hollow Realtors. Once again, Joe Burris, John Nash and the Sleepy Hollow Realtors team are collecting toys for area charities. Bring your donation of a new, unwrapped toy for a boy or girl BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, to Sleepy Hollow Realtors, 1304 South Avenue. Info: (908) 822-0550.
- Today through Friday - December 18. Holiday Toy Drive by King's Temple. The church seeks new, unwrapped toys to distribute to Plainfield children at the holidays. Donations may be dropped off at Harvest Radio, 120 West 7th Street, Ste 202, Monday thru Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. Info: Toya Kirkwood, (908) 757-6700 or (908) 753-5825.
- (NEW) Today through Thursday - December 24. Together AsOne Adopt-a-Family Holiday Celebration. This network of Black Entrepreneurs Who Care has adopted two families from Plainfield Action Services, for whom they are gathering gifts to make a very special Christmas. Gifts or donations via PayPal are needed. For full details, check AsOne's website here. Info: (908) 755-8220 or email staff@asoneonline.com.
- Today - December 12. 2 - 7 PM. Christmas Gift Bazaar. Holiday gifts and craft items. Door prizes and light refreshments. Proceeds benefit PHS Class of 1970 Reunion. At Mohawk Lodge #307, 1337 West Third Street (corner of Rushmore Avenue). Some vendor slots still available ($55/table) -- contact Carolyn Jenkins (732) 829-9372 or Viola Eaddy (732) 208-7167. Event is FREE.
- Tuesday - Dec 15 thru Sunday - Dec 20. All Day. BORDERS Gift Wrap Benefiting Plainfield Area Humane Society. Shop at Borders in Watchung Square Mall and have your book or other item gift-wrapped by volunteers from PAHS. Proceeds benefit the Rock Avenue facility.
- Thursday - December 17. 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. At Los Faraones club, 111 East Front Street. Admission FREE with an unwrapped toy of $10 minimum value.
- Saturday - December 19. 7 PM. New Dems Holiday Potluck and Canned Food Drive. Mix and mingle with new friends and old and celebrate the winter holiday season! Bring a dish to share and one or two nonperishable food items for donation to Plainfield's local feeding programs. Food, fun, music -- maybe even carolling. At the home of Adrian and Amelia Mapp, 535 West 8th Street.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
- Today - December 12. 1 - 3 PM. Plainfield Library: Publication Party & Book Signing. Got book lovers on your holiday gift list? This is the perfect place to check out more tha 20 local authors who will be offering their works for sale, and signing their latest books. Discover romance and murder in NJ. Or the history of NJ beers and minor league baseball. Explore NJ's history in photographs and writings. Info: Mary Ellen Rogan at (908) 757-1111 x132 or email me.rogan@plfdpl.info. In the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room at the Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue and 8th Street. FREE.
- Today - December 12. 2 - 7 PM. Christmas Gift Bazaar. Holiday gifts and craft items. Door prizes and light refreshments. Proceeds benefit PHS Class of 1970 Reunion. At Mohawk Lodge #307, 1337 West Third Street (corner of Rushmore Avenue). Some vendor slots still available ($55/table) -- contact Carolyn Jenkins (732) 829-9372 or Viola Eaddy (732) 208-7167. Event is FREE.
- Today - December 12. 3 - 5 PM. PHS Cheerleaders Tricky Tray Event. Holiday Tricky Tray event benefits Plainfield High School's cheerleader squad. Doors open at 3 PM, drawing is at 5 PM. 50/50 drawing. Refreshments available. At PHS Cafeteria, parking in Kenyon Avenue lot. Tickets: $5 at the door. Info: ssmith@plainfield.k12.nj.us.
- Today - December 12. 7 PM. Plainfield Symphony Holiday Pops Concert. Music Director Charles Prince leads the PSO in a medley of holiday carols as well as Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Victor Herbert's March of the Toys, and Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride. Tickets: $25 at the door; $5 off with the presentation of two non-perishable food items (which will benefit Starfish, Plainfield's food pantry). Tickets may also be purchased online at www.plainfieldsymphony.org/. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue (parking in lot on First Place or at Swain Galleries).
- Tomorrow - December 13. 5:30 PM. Concerts: Yuletide by Candlelight. Under the leadership of music director Ron Thayer, the Crescent Singers present their annual gift of holiday music of all ages to the community. 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/.
- (NOTE CHANGE) Monday - December 14. 7 and 8 PM. City Council Budget Hearing and Business Meeting. City Council will hold a budget hearing at 7 PM, considering the Department of Public Works and Urban Development, with the regular business meeting following at 8 PM. Council Chambers/Courthouse. Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Public may speak at beginning and end of meeting.
- Tuesday - December 15. 7 PM. Plainfield United Way Meeting. Interested folks getting together to plan for the 2010 Maidens In May house tour (set for May 23 -- mark your calendars), setting up committees to recruit houses, volunteers, post-tour reception and publicity/promotion. The event will be a fundraiser for the Plainfield Medical Transportation Fund. At the Plainfield Area YMCA, East 6th Street and Watchung Avenue (parking in rear). Info: Jeff Scheckner, UWGUC, (908) 353-7171 x138 or email jeff.scheckner@uwguc.org.
- Wednesday - December 16. 7 - 10 PM. City Council: Budget Session. The Council will work on amendments to the proposed FY2010 budget, received from the Administration after the state's budget deadline. On tap: The Plainfield Public Library, Municipal Clerk, Corporation Counsel, Inspections and Recreation. At the Council Chambers/Municipal Court, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Public welcome.
- Thursday - December 17. 7 - 10 PM. City Council: Capital Budget Session. The Council will consider the Capital Projects budget. At the Council Chambers/Municipal Court, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Public welcome.
- (NOTE DOUBLE MEETING) Monday - December 21. 7:30 and 8 PM. City Council Agenda Session and Public Hearing on FY2010 Budget. The agenda session will set the January 1, 2010, reorganization meeting. Public may speak at end of the agenda session meeting. At 8 PM, the Council will conduct a Public Hearing on the FY2010 introduced budget will be held at which the public may speak. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue. (Parking and entry at rear of building.)
- Tuesday - December 22 - (Final day for ticket purchase). NJ Nets Basketball Trip (Saturday - January 2). The Plainfield Youth Basketball Program hosts its annual Nets trip. See LeBron and Shaq and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last day to purchase tickets: December 22. Bus departs PHS Kenyon Avenue lot at 11:30 AM sharp (game time: 1 PM). Tickets: $25/person, includes bus and ticket to game. Info: Lenny Cathcart, (908) 305-0668.
- Saturday - December 26. 1 - 5 PM. Community Kwanzaa Celebration. This celebration of family, community and culture will feature drumming, storytelling, poetry, an Afrikan market place and a Kwanzaa lighting ceremony. Includes a 'Karamu' catered Afrikan American Feast. Sponsored by Mayor Robinson-Briggs and the Division of Recreation. Info: (908) 753-3097. FREE.
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