C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Bernice: That sinking budget feeling.. Olddoc: 'Tiger' poll results, furniture moving adventures.. Maria: Plainfield Holiday shopping opportunities..


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Budget: "Plainfield has no choice: Consider public safety cutbacks" -- Editorial, Courier.

Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Bernice reports she got that 'sinking feeling' at the 2nd budget hearing. Olddoc recounts his adventures with deliveries (furniture), hospital costs, and results of his 'Tiger' poll. Maria has a great slide show of Plainfield holiday shopping destinations. 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.

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.

Piscataway: "Township launches 2nd annual holiday decorating contest"
South Plainfield: "Residential project sparks concerns" -- 708 units proposed for Harris Steel site.
Vote Fraud: "Essex Freeholder accused of vote fraud won't resign"

Christie Transition [full Ledger coverage here] --
  • Staff: "4 staffers named, including Bagger as chief of staff" -- PolNJ | Record | Gannett |
Gay Marriage: "Senate to take up gay marriage proposal" -- Ledger | Courier | NJNewsrm |
Lame Duck Corzine: "Corzine nominates chief of staff for judgeship"
Corruption 44 --
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WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • Today - December 4. 6 PM. Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Dress for the weather and come out for the annual tree lighting event at City Hall. Caroling, special guests, visit and pictures with Santa, 'A LIGHT MEAL' and hot chocolate provided by the Salvation Army. At City Hall, 515 Watchung Avenue (at 6th Street). FREE.

  • Today - December 4. 8 PM. Drake House Tree Lighting. Celebrate the start of the holidays in the Drake House, newly reopened after major renovations. Holiday carols, prizes and refreshments in the upstairs ballroom, where Santa will drop in with a sack of toys for the kids. Besides the large tree in the ballroom, three trees will be on display in the period rooms, and the house will be dressed in holiday finery. The Drake House is at 602 West Front Street, at the foot of Plainfield Avenue.

  • Tomorrow - December 5. Noon - 3 PM. Holiday Horse & Wagon Ride and Gift Stocking Drawing. Bring the kids out for the Plainfield SID's 5th Annual holiday kickoff event. Goody bags for all riders, compliments of merchant members. There are two staging areas: West Front Street (near McDonald's) and Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue. A giant toy-filled stocking will be given away at 3:30 PM at Plainwood Square Park (entry forms at both staging locations). FREE.

  • Tomorrow - December 5. 5 - 7 PM. Exhibit: Swain's Annual Small Paintings Exhibit and Reception. Over thirty artists represented by Swain Galleries will exhibit at this annual event their small paintings available as holiday gifts. Light refreshments will be served. Gallery hours: Tues-Fri 9:30 - 5:30. Sat 9:30 - 4:00. Sundays (until Christmas) Noon - 4 PM.

  • Sunday - December 6. 1 - 6 PM. House Tour: An Old-Fashioned Christmas. Don't miss the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District's 2009 holiday house tour, featuring seven historic homes decked out in Christmas finery. Stained glass, achitectural details and workmanship in styles from Queen Anne to Tudor to Arts & Crafts. Plus a Gingerbread Village and ornament collections. And a house-to-house Parker Game Treasure Hunt with prizes. Tickets: Advance: $20/person, available at Swain Galleries, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue or The Pillars, 922 Central Avenue. Online sales at anoldfashionedchristmas/. Day of tour: $25/person, at 935 Central Avenue. More info at the Van Wyck Brooks Historic District website here.

  • (NOTE VENUE) Monday - December 7. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. Cook School, Leland Avenue at Berkeley Avenue. Public may speak at end of meeting.

  • (NOTE VENUE) Wednesday - December 9. 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. At the old Senior Center, 305 East Front Street.

  • Saturday - 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.

  • Saturday - 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.

  • Saturday - 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).

  • Sunday - 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/.
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Posted by Dan at 9:23 AM

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