C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Renata honors Dottie Gutenkauf.. Maria: A (banana) tree grows in Plainfield.. Bernice: Library book sale starts Friday.. Jerry posts a 'thank you' from Neighborhood Health Center..

PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Apartment Building Flooding:  "Clogged roof drains flood building, cause evacuation" -- Up to 70 evacuated from The Ritz, former Connolly property.
BUF Fire:  "Suspected arson decimates day-care's playground" -- Maria reports similar incident at Evergreen School.
Car Burglaries:  "Two Plainfield men charged in string of Dunellen car burglaries"
Homicide:  "Plainfield man charged in shooting death at South Plainfield motel" -- Courier | Ledger | -- "Appears to be gang-related".
PHS Football:  "Plainfield-Paramus Catholic scrimmage"
Shooting, Stabbing:  "Shootings, stabbing mark violent weekend" -- Stabbing victim member of Hispanic gang.

High School Graduation Rate:  "Diploma rate for NJ's Black males reviewed"
North Plainfield:  "New sound system makes Krausche Field ready for action"
Police Misconduct:  "Newark has paid $1M in 19 settlements since 2008, with 31 cases pending" -- From NJ Newsrm.
South Plainfield:  "Seven-member committee studies library move"

Gov. Christie --
Legislature:  "Senate approves elimination of 40 inactive, outdated agencies"
Pension Fraud:  "Shouldn't someone in NJ be prosecuted for pension fraud? Here's a nominee" -- Slate nominates ex-state treasurer, Woodbridge mayor John McCormac.
PSE&G:  "PSE&G says gas contract lowered cost to consumers" -- From NJ Spotlight.

Bottle Bombs:  "Innocent-looking soda bottles left on lawns can be dangerous" -- Drano and tin foil make for explosive combination that can cause severe burns and worse. With YouTube video. Tip 'o the hat to Dr. Ted for the lead.

Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Bernice notes library book sale opens Friday, gets up close and personal with her preying mantises. Olddoc takes a 'caterlude' from serious blogging today with a YouTube video (must see). Maria posts accident pix from 7th & Franklin, and a home with banana trees near the street (across from CLIPS readers and old friends Jack and Sheila). Piv asks if it's time for a truce in gang violence. Councilor Mapp writes in support of Councilor Cory Storch. Jerry is thanked by the Neighborhood Health Center for speaking at a reception. Councilor Storch demands Jerry cease-and-desist in smearing Bridgeway. Councilor McWilliams posts a letter regarding the commemoration of Muhlenberg's closing; and note that two of her F.A.I.R. ordinances passed Monday night. Plainfield Sports News finds the Bergen Hawks falling to the Central Penn Pirañhas (yes, pirañhas), and Fisher Cats beating Trenton Thunder.

Don't miss these personal blogs by Plainfielders, each with a point of view: Rebecca Williams' Confessions of a Bathrobe Blogger holds Cory Storch up as an exmplar of public service; BOE member Renata Hernandez blogs anew at new blog Standing In The Gap, honors activist Dottie Gutenkauf with a post, and celebrates the constructive power of 'I';  her daughter Milani Hernandez is at PEPTalk: A PPS pupil's perspective; Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On, is back at the live feeds of Big Brother 12 -- get a load of Britney's birthday dress, hope she doesn't catch a cold; and Dottie Gutenkauf's Dottie G Sez. There are two personal blogs concerned with the Plainfield public schools: Dr. E=MC² points to involving young people in solving the gang problem (and critiques the Mayor's 'simplistic' Town Hall gambit); and Eye on Plainfield Schools.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • TRAFFIC ALERT - Today and Tomorrow. Bonnie Burn Road in Watchung to be closed 2 days starting today -- From Valley Road to Colorado Cafe; make alternate plans (story here).

  • CALL FOR ENTRIES (Deadline October 1). 5th ANNUAL LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST. 'East Side, West Side, All Around the Town' is the theme for this year's Plainfield Public Library photography contest. Professional and amateur photographers of all ages are invited to enter up to five (5) photographs of contemporary images of Plainfield. Entries will make up an exhibit which will open in October with a reception and awards presentation. All entries become a part of the Library's extensive photographic record of Plainfield life. Entry forms are available at the Library or online at the Library website (here). The contest is jointly sponsored each year by the Library and the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library. Info: (908) 757-1111 x136.

  • Today - August 24. 6 PM. Mayor's Anti-Violence Program. Volunteers gather at City Hall to be bused to various neighborhoods to knock on doors, hand out fliers and speak with residents about their concerns. Info: (908) 753-3310 or see here.

  • Today - August 24. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue (parking in lot at rear of building). Public invited.

  • Tomorrow - August 25. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room. 515 Watchung Avenue (parking in lot at rear of building). Public invited.

  • Thursday - August 26. 5 - 8 PM. Free Rabies Clinic. Free rabies vaccinations for pets in the parking lot behind City Hall. Dog must be on leash, cats in a carrier. Licenses also available at same time. License fees: $8.20 for spayed or neutered dogs or cats, $11.20 for dogs or cats not spayed or neutered. Payment by cash, check or money order made payable to 'City of Plainfield' (mark memo 'pet license'). Note: all licenses expire December 31, 2010 and must be renewed for 2011. Info or questions: (908) 753-3092.

  • Friday/Saturday - August 27/28. Preview Friday, 10 AM - Noon; Sale Noon on during regular hours. Annual Library Book Sale. Book sale coordinator Mary Ellen Rogan announces the Plainfield Public Library's largest book sale ever -- with over 6,000 books on all subjects. In these times of severe budget pressures, proceeds of the sale will be more important than ever  in supporting Library programs -- including Children's Services, Adult Literacy and Local History. Admission to the Preview on Friday is $5/person. From Noon on, the sale is open to the public at no charge. In the pool area on the lower level at the Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue and 8th Street.

  • Saturday - August 28. 9  AM Shotgun. 4th Annual John Shippen Youth Golf Academy Tournament. Youth aged 17 and under compete at the Scotch Hills Country Club. Required: Proper golf attire, own golf bag, tees and balls; know the rules of the game and able to play nine holes. Entry fee: $50 (includes lunch, giveaways, and door prizes). Sponsored by the John Shippen Memorial Foundation. At Scotch Hills CC, Plainfield Avenue and Jerusalem Road, Scotch Plains. Info/Reservations: Thurman Simmons (908) 322-5486 or John Perry (908) 230-6247.

  • Saturday - August 28. 10 AM. Back To School Jam. The annual free school supply giveaway. This year in memory of Shawn P. Cox. At Mt. Zion AME Church, 630 East Front Street (new church home, formerly Messiah Lutheran Church). Info: Martin Cox, mpcox2@verizon.net or (732) 433-5630. FREE.

  • Sunday - August 29. Noon. Carillon Concert & Peach Festival. Delicious peach desserts and a carillon concert on Grace Church's Pittis carillon. Guest carillonneur Wesley Arai is associate carillonist at the University of California, Berkeley. A native of Los Angeles, he holds BA and MA degrees in mathematics from Berkeley and UCLA. He has also played the carillon at the University of California, Santa Barbara on a regular basis. At Grace Episcopal Church, East 7th Street and Cleveland Avenue (parking in city lot across street). Concert is free; peach desserts for a nominal fee.

  • Tuesday - August 31. 6 PM. Mayor's Anti-Violence Program. Volunteers gather at City Hall to be bused to various neighborhoods to knock on doors, hand out fliers and speak with residents about their concerns. Info: (908) 753-3310 or see here.

  • Saturday - September 11. 7 - 11 PM. Retirement Dinner for Capt. Siddeeq El-Amin. Friends and colleagues of recently retired Plainfield Police Division Capt. Siddeeq El-Amin will gather to celebrate his retirement and honor him for his many contributions to the community, including his work with the Neighborhood Health Center board and NOBLE, the organization for Black law enforcement officers. At the Bridgewater Marriott, 700 Commons Way, Bridgewater. Tickets: $100/person. Checks payable to 'Friends of Sideeq El-Amin', c/o 315 Sumner Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07062-1734.
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Posted by Dan at 9:00 AM

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