Where Plainfield turns for news.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Burney: Dan's disinformation continues.. Bernice: PMUA moves board meetings to 6 PM.. Maria: Questions on city finances.. PSN: QCBL fall season under way.. Renata posts a brief calendar.. Dr. E=MC² sounds alarm on District governance..



UPDATE: Am told 17-year-old driver in accident on East Front between Netherwood and Leland has been declared brain dead.

PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Jefferson School:  "Principal Scot Burkholder experiences rapid rise to the top"
Muhlenberg:  "Choice of photo gives wrong impression" -- Thomas Hammond, letter, Courier.

North Plainfield:  "Canucks bench deep and talented"
OPRA:  "CountyWatchers wins another OPRA battle, Union County delays until after election" -- Subject is Union County's seniors' mailing list.
Prayer at Public Meetings:  "ACLU takes up complaint of Jewish resident over prayer at Council meetings"

Hudson River Tunnel:  "Hudson rail tunnel review raises fear for project"
Legislature:  "Senate to hold longshot family planning override vote today"
'Race to Top' Flap:  "Senate willing to use subpoenaes to get to bottom of fiasco" -- From NJ Spotlight.
Schools:  "State says district was wrong to enforce round-the-clock conduct code"
Solar Energy:  "Agency budget leaves just $3M for programs"
-- From NJ Spotlight.

Bowling:  "League bowling is big in NJ"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice spots a PMUA notice moving its board meetings up to 6 PM; and Cedar Brook Park will be jammed with fishing derby and run/walk this Saturday and H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. Choir Guinness challenge next. Maria has a list of financial questions she would like answered concerning City spending. Councilor Burney  on his 'teeth' proposal, says Dan's disinformation continues. Plainfield Sports News covers Queen City Baseball League's fall 10U and 12U openers. BOE member Renata Hernandez blogs anew at new blog Standing In The Gap shares her work promoting the HERITAGE Choir Guinness challenge and other activities with quick calendar list. Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On, posts a skate dancing flick...hmmm... BOE member Renata Hernandez' daughter Milani Hernandez is at PEPTalk: A PPS pupil's perspective, where she posts an outline of her day at PAAAS and note she and her mom go back and forth about blogging; and a teacher blogs: Dr. E=MC², now sounds the alarm bell about district issues, and here I thought eveything was okey-dokey.

Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Olddoc takes a break with family, look for him back later today, renewed for a new year. Piv on gangs: time for a truce? Jerry seems to be laying low, no post since Sept. 6. Bo on the 22nd details Gov. Christie's ethics plan. Councilor Mapp congratulates PBA Local #19 on the dedication of its memorial to fallen officers. Councilor Storch demands Jerry cease-and-desist in smearing Bridgeway. Councilor McWilliams posts 'next steps' in the fiscal oversight discussion.

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 exemplar of public service; Nat Singleton, energized by Jerry Green's misinformation, is blogging at Dumbed Down America, today introducing Assemblyman Green to both Stanley Kowalski and Ruth Brown;  and Dottie Gutenkauf's Dottie G Sez.

Besides the news on the front page of the Plainfield Public Schools website, there are four blogs concerned with the schools: Vashon Hill, president of the Leadership Project of Jefferson and Cook schools blogs at A Student's Perspective
(note blog's new name), acknowledges Jefferson School's staff.


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WHAT'S HAPPENING



  • 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.

  • Through September. 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. 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.

  • Today - September 19. 2 - 4 PM. Student Exhibit: Plainfield People & Places. View and celebrate the art created by students of Plainfield's Barack Obama Academy. Sponsored by the Historical Society of Plainfield. At the Drake House, 602 West Front Street, at the foot of Plainfield Avenue. Info: (908) 755-5831 or the Museum's website drakehousemuseum.tripod.com/.

  • Today - September 20 9 AM - 3ish PM. Farmer's Market: Stillman Farms of Robbinsville. Fresh fruits and veggies. Vacant lot between City Hall and Salvation Army, Watchung Avenue.

  • Today - September 20. 6:30 - 8:30 PM. 'Zumbathon' at the YMCA. Check out the wildly popular fitness technique that involves coordinated calisthenics performed to up-tempo Latin music. This Zumbathon will introduce folks to the exciting exercise phenomenon. Refreshments, giveaways and a drawing for a month's free YMCA membership. The YMCA currently offers three Zumbathon classes at different times, making it easy to fit into busy schedules. The Zumbathon is free to YMCA members, $10 for guests. At the Plainfield Area YMCA, 518 Watchung Avenue (corner of East 6th Street; parking in the rear). Info: (908) 756-6060 or see the Courier story here.

  • Today - September 20. 8 PM. Van Wyck Brooks HD Meeting. At 976 Kenyon Avenue.

  • Tomorrow - September 21. 8 PM. Board of Ed Business Meeting. At the PHS Auditorium, Park and Stelle Avenues. Agendas are online at www.plainfieldnjk12.org/. Public welcome.

  • Wednesday - September 22. 8 AM. Market Research for Small Business Workshop. Keeping abreast of what your competition is up to, and the external factors affecting your business can be challenging. This free workshop will take up how market research can help you grow your business and how to do it on a meager budget. Sponsored by UCEDC and the Union Twp. Chamber of Commerce. At UCEDC, Liberty Hall Corporate Center, 1085 Morris Avenue, 5th Floor, Union. To register, call (908) 688-2777 or email info@unionchamber.com. FREE.

  • Wednesday - September 22. 7 PM. United Way Community Council Meeting. The Plainfield community council meets to discuss the kickoff of the Fall campaign, plan for the annual Maidens In May house tour and explore other initiatives. At the Plainfield Area YMCA, 518 Watchung Avenue (corner of East 6th Street; parking in the rear). Info: Jeff Scheckner, (908) 353-7171 x138 or jeff.scheckner@uwguc.org.

  • Wednesday - September 22. 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 - September 24. 9 AM - 3ish PM. Farmer's Market: Stillman Farms of Robbinsville. Fresh fruits and veggies. Vacant lot between City Hall and Salvation Army, Watchung Avenue.

  • Saturday - September 25. 9 AM - 1 PM. Annual Fall Fishing Derby. The annual fishing event, with a prize for Biggest Fish. The Lake will be stocked with Channel Catfish and Small Mouth Bass. Sponsored by the Division of Recreation. At Cedar Brook Park Lake. Info: (908) 753-3097. RAIN DATE: October 2.

  • Saturday - September 25. 9 AM. Plainfield Y-to-Y Bike Ride. This motorcycle fun ride sponsored by the Plainfield YMCA will help send local kids to summer camp. The ride departs the Plainfield Y for YMCA Camp Mason in Hardwick, where participants will share a (provided) lunch. Registration: $25/biker, $15/passenger. Proceeds benefit the Plainfield YMCA Summer Day Camp scholarships. Info: (908) 756-6060 or email pnelson@plainfieldy.org. RAIN DATE: October 9.s

  • Saturday - September 25. 10 AM. Dedication of Joe Black Baseball Field at Hub Stine. Join with Board of Ed, city officials and members of Joe Black's family for the dedication of the baseball field at the Hub Stine complex in memory of Black, the first African American to pitch in a World Series game. At the Hub Stine Complex, Randolph Road, across from Muhlenberg. More info on the District's website here. FREE.

  • Saturday - September 25. 7 PM. Plainfield Symphony 91st Season Kickoff: Master Class with Jamie Bernstein. This is going to be a real treat -- Lenny Bernstein's daughter Jamie will lead this interactive lecture/performance looking at how three American composers borrowed (and stole?) from others both to pay homage to them and to show off their own uniqueness. Composers Lenny Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Charles Ives are the subjects. Don't miss this unique opportunity. Tickets: $45 reserved seating, $25 general admission. Info: (908) 561-5140 or  www.plainfieldsymphony.org/ (tickets can be purchased online). At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue (parking in lot on First Place or at Swain Galleries).

    Martinis & More, Symphony After-Party. Attendees are invited at 9:00 PM to the after-party at the home of Craig Bowman and John Stewart, where Jamie Bernstein will be a special guest. Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and desserts. $50/person, payable at the door. At 308 West 8th Street (parking at Higgins Home for Funerals, 8th & Madison).
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