Where Plainfield turns for news.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Mapp: Courier owes Drakeford an apology.. Olddoc: Drakeford appointment a blunder.. Maria: New historic property tax credit a plus.. Bernice: Tree Commission needs members.. Owen: Why does NJT keep Netherwood Station empty?.. Renata: A post is coming.. Jackie: Survivor: Nicaragua..


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
WBLS Investigation:  "Council seeking new attorney for look into mayor's spending"
Commuter Costs:  "Commuter costs will go up if Congress doesn't extend tax provision"
-- If you commute, this affects you.
Film:  "Plainfield filmmaker's debut feature selected for Sundance Festival"
Street Signs:  "NJ towns relieved they don't have to replace signs per new federal rules"
Trees:  "Members sought for Shade Tree Commission, which aids in tree selection"
Obituary:  "W. Lamar Bomar  Sr., MD, Howard U grad joined Muhlenberg in 1949, received Muhlenberg Award in 1997"

Cops and Budgets --

Green Brook Flood Control:  "Work on B-1 phase of project set to begin"
Hillside:  "Employees get one month reprieve in fight over layoffs"
Holiday Tree Lighting:  "New Brunswick tree lighting includes taste of city's restaurants" -- Interesting twist.
Hospitals:  "East Orange hospital's new chief hopes to expand preventative care"
North Plainfield:  "Two Plainfield men arrested in theft of spooled wire"
South Plainfield:  "Mayoral panel to unveil plans for new library"
Union County:  "Black Issues Convention gives award for program to reduce gang violence"

Gov. Christie:  "Campaign finance violation alleged by animal rights group"
-- Campaign cash for bear hunt permission?
Energy:  "Report: NJ poised to be powerhouse in offshore wind energy"
Federal Judges:  "Obama nominates two to NJ federal judgeships"
Hudson Rail Tunnel --

Information Technology:  "NJ Treasury Dept. seeks to bring legacy systems into 21st century" -- Read. Weep. Gnash teeth.
Legislature:  "Dems push jobs bills"
-- Wall Street Journal.
School Super Salaries:  "Super of the Year says pay cap factored into his retirement decision"
Turnpike Authority:  "Bond rating revised to negative on 'siphoning' of tolls to outside projects"
Unemployment Benefits:  "Hundreds of thousands of Jerseyans expected to lose benefits"
Voter Fraud:  "Eleven charged with vote fraud in Paterson council election" -- PolNJ | Ledger | NJ Newsrm |
Weatherization Program:  "'Troubled', Menendez asks for more federal oversight of program"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice notes Shade Tree Commission needs new members. Olddoc consider Drakeford appointment in WBLS matter a blunder. Maria on Historic Property Reinvestment tax credit enactment, identifying dropouts (as early as Grade 8), and things Plainfield schools must do for receiving Title I monies. Councilor Mapp thinks the Courier owes Ms. Drakeford an apology. Owen Fletcher, at Plainfield Tomorrow, wonders why NJT keeps the Netherwood Station shuttered and points to station uses elsewhere. BOE member Renata Hernandez suggests at Standing In The Gap, that a fresh post is coming. Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On, puts her 12/1 Survivor: Nicaraugua blog party post up.


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WHAT'S HAPPENING



  • HOLIDAY GIVING OPPORTUNITIES --

    • CHILDREN'S BOOKS: The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority is collecting new or gently used children's books. The books will given out at a holiday party hosted by Daybreak Community Development Corporation. Your gift will make a child's holiday a little brighter -- and help support the PMUA's mission to recycle. Books may be left in the lobby of the PMUA offices at 127 Roosevelt Avenue (corner of East 2nd Street) between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday until December 17th. For more info, see here.

    • WINTER COATS: New or clean, gently used winter coats for children, teens and young adults are needed. You might check with your dry cleaner to see if they have unclaimed coats they are disposing of. Articles may be dropped off at the Dairy Queen, 1367 South Avenue during regular store hours (preferably Sundays before 1:00 PM) through Friday, December 17th.

  • Today - December 2. 8 PM. Planning Board. The Muhlenberg developer will NOT BE PRESENT at this meeting. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Tomorrow - December 3. 6 PM. (Inclement weather date: December 10.) Holiday Tree Lighting. Musical entertainment, visit by Santa (with picture opportunity) and cocoa courtesy of the Salvation Army. City Hall steps.

  • Saturday - December 4. 9 AM - 4 PM. FUSP: Annual Holiday Craft Fair. Local crafters offering homemade foods, jewelry, pottery, knit goods, ornaments. Also available will be a variety of Fair Trade products, including coffee and chocolate. Desserts, coffee and mulled cider will be available in the Stevens Café. There will be craft demonstrations and kids' craft workshop where youngsters can make items to take home. Several craft items will also be raffled. Info at (908) 756-0750 or visit the website, www.fusp.org/. At First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Avenue. (Parking in city lot across from church.) Proceeds will benefit the Society's community outreach programs and its congregational work.

  • Saturday - December 4. 10 AM - 3 PM. Senior Center Holiday Bazaar. Members and friends of the Plainfield Senior Center host their annual holiday bazaar, featuring handmade gift items, special crafts, hand-knitted accessories, afghans and more, one-of-a-kind jewelry, bric-a-brac, clothing and ethnic memorabilia. At the Plainfield Senior Center, 400 East Front Street. Info: (908) 753-3506.

  • Saturday - December 4. 11 AM - 1 PM. Latino Action Network Holiday Brunch. Members and friends of the Latino Action Network will gather for a delicious holiday brunch. At Panico's, 103 Church Street, New Brunswick. Tickets: $50/person. Reservations: Claribel Azcona-Barber at (908) 812-8037 or email azconabarber@aol.com.

  • Saturday - December 4. 5 - 7 PM. Opening Reception: Annual Small Paintings Exhibit. Celebrating 142 years of service to Plainfield art lovers, Swain Gallery opens this year's exhibit of small paintings by thirty artists. Also available during regular shop hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10 AM - 5 PM; Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 4 PM; Sundays, Noon - 4 PM. At Swain Galleries, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue. Info: (908) 756-1707 or visit the website at www.swaingalleries.com/.

  • Saturday - December 4. 7:30 PM. Concert: Psalms and Carols of Mystery and Majesty. Join with the Cantabile Chamber Chorale in a celebration of the season. Program includes: Bernstein Chichester Psalms; J.S. Bach Cantata BWV 140; de Victoria O Magnun Mysterium; Baumel This is the Day; Fielding Behold The Dark and Bitter Night; and Schubert Psalm 23. At Christ United Methodist Church, 485 Hoes Lane, Piscataway. Tickets: $20/at the door, $15/Seniors/Students.

  • Sunday - December 5. 11 AM - 4 PM. FUSP: Annual Holiday Craft Fair. Local crafters offering homemade foods, jewelry, pottery, knit goods, ornaments. Also available will be a variety of Fair Trade products, including coffee and chocolate. Desserts, coffee and mulled cider will be available in the Stevens Café. There will be craft demonstrations and kids' craft workshop where youngsters can make items to take home. Several craft items will also be raffled. Info at (908) 756-0750 or visit the website, www.fusp.org/. At First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Avenue. (Parking in city lot across from church.) Proceeds will benefit the Society's community outreach programs and its congregational work.

  • Sunday - December 5. 2 - 4 PM. duCret: Annual Miniature Art Show. This annual show of original art pieces by the school's students and Open House of the school is a Plainfield tradition. The duCret School, which has been preparing students for careers as fine and commercial artists for more than 80 years, is housed in an 1890s mansion that was the former site of the all-boys Wardlaw Country Day School. At duCret School of the Arts, 1038 Central Avenue. Park in rear parking lot, entrance to hall directly from lot. Info: (908) 757-7171 or visit the website at www.duCret.edu/.

  • Saturday - December 11. 10 AM - 3 PM. Gifted: A Holiday Bazaar. Featuring holiday crafts, small gifts, jewelry and homemade baked goods. Sponsored by the New  Covenant Christian Academy (proceeds will benefit the Academy). At First-Park Baptist Church Hall, Central Avenue at West 7th Street. Entry off the parking lot on Central Avenue.

  • Saturday - December 11. Noon - 3 PM. 6th Annual Horse and Wagon Rides. Bring the kids out for this ever-popular holiday event, sponsored by Plainfield merchants. Two staging areas: Downtown, West Front near McDonald's, and South Avenue, at Plainwood Square Park. Goody bags for all riders, compliments of the merchants. Santa will be available for photo opportunities with the kids (bring your own camera): Downtown, Noon to 1:15 PM, and South Avenue, 1:45 to 3:00 PM. Drawing for a giant toy-filled  Christmas Stocking at 3:30 PM at Plainwood Square Park (entry forms will be available at both staging locations). Sponsored by the Pllainfield SID. FREE.

  • Sunday - December 12. 3:30 PM. Go Change The World: A Holiday Celebration in Dance, Song and Theatre. Shiloh Baptist Church Liturgical Dance Ministries presents an unforgettable Christmas celebration, with a guest appearance by Work of Art Dance Theatre. At Shiloh Baptist Church, 515 West 4th Street. Reservations are strongly suggested. Call Sharon (732) 247-6201, Cynthia (609) 529-3778 or the church office at (908) 754-3353. No charge, but a free will offering will be taken.

  • Sunday - December 12. 5:30 PM. Concert: Yuletide By Candlelight. The Crescent Singers present their annual gift of holiday music of all ages to the community. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue. (Parking in church lot, on street, or in Swain Galleries lot). FREE.

  • Monday - December 13. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. Public may speak at end of meeting. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue. Parking and entry at rear of building.
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