Bernice: Complete posts on schools jobs revisions.. Olddoc on Dr. Gallon, solar panels.. Maria cites Renata on job certifications..
PLAINFIELD TODAY:
2008 Woodland Avenue Murder: "Killer gets life in prison" -- Courier | Ledger | -- across from South Nine.
Parking Fines: "Parking fines double in Maplewood" -- Still can't touch Plainfield's.
Real Estate: "Scutari bill would allow brokers to pay clients at closing"
Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Bernice posts complete list of links to her posts on the ongoing schools job revisions story, and notes the Council meeting was not noteworthy. Olddoc notes a walk-on resolution regarding those solar panels on phone poles, and gives his take on Dr. Gallon and the school positions mess. Maria cites Renata on job certifications. 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. Bo on the 22nd notes Congress' funding bills increase is 12%. voice.
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.
Christie Transition --
- Attorney General: "Christie chooses Essex's Paul Dow as AG" -- Tough prosecutor is a Dem.
- Analysis: "Christie looking like a Tom Kean Republican" -- Paul Mulshine.
- Lame Duck Corzine: "Despite Christie objections, Corzine nominates dozens to posts" -- Full list here (PDF) .
- Higher Education: "Christie says he hopes to raise funding in first term"
Veterans: "Young Iraq, Afghanistan veterans become face of VFW"
| 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
- 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.
- 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 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 15. 7 PM. Board of Ed Meeting. A report in Sunday's Courier on the continuing saga of staff certifications (see here) and Dr. Gallon's response (see here) are galvanizing interest in BOE matters. At the Board of Ed Administration Building (Jefferson School), 1200 Myrtle Avenue. Public welcome.
- Today - December 15. 7 PM. PMUA Board of Commissioners Meeting. Interest has peaked since a report in Sunday's Courier of excessive spending on Atlantic City conferences (see here) and a possible rate increase in 2010. At PMUA headquarters, 127 Roosevelt Avenue (corner of East 2nd Street). Info: (908) 226-2518. Public invited. These meetings are often very brief, so don't dawdle if you're going.
- Today - 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.
- Today - December 15. 7 PM. Historic Preservation Commission Meeting. The agenda includes a discussion of PSE&G's new program for installing solar panels, with reference to historic districts. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue (parking in lot at rear of building). Public invited.
- Tomorrow - 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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