Where Plainfield turns for news.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Olddoc on PMUA rates; Why Plainfield needs an appointed school board.. Bernice on boards and commissions: the living, the dead and the undead.. Maria: Edutopia on school-home communications.. PSN finds Cardinal boys enter zone of unknowns with first basketball scrimmage..


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
PMUA:  "Plainfield utilities authority under fire for rate hike proposal"
Crescent Concerts:  "Crescent Concerts gearing up for annual free holiday performance"
Holiday Boutique:  "Plainfield Health Center hosts holiday boutique"
Holiday Event:  "Shiloh Baptist Church prepping for holiday arts event"
School Burglary:  "Two teens arrested fleeing Maxson with computers"

Fanwood:  "Downtown development continues despite recession" -- Friedrich building, former Burgdorff's, now gone.
Literacy Volunteers:  "LVA of Union County recruiting new tutors" -- Headquartered at Plainfield Public Library.
Prosecutor-to-Rabbi:  "Middlesex County prosecutor to become rabbi of Newark's last synagogue"

Christie 'Tool Kit':  "No deal struck between Dem, Christie on property tax 'tool kit'"
Catholic Church:  "Archdioces of Newark denounces Ledger report on abuse cases"
Contact Voltage:  "BPU orders utilities to assess contact voltage threat"
-- From NJ Spotlight.
Governors Schools:  "Only two of the highly competitive month-long schools to run this summer" -- From NJ Spotlight.
NJEA:  "Teachers union to unveil reformed proposals on tenure, failing schools"
Pay-to-Play --

Shared Services:  "Civil service decisive in thwarting shared services" | "Mayors urge changes"

Weight Control:  "Boxing legend's daughter supports gastric banding" -- From 325 to 150s.

RECENT POSTS: Bernice reviews board and commission: the living, the dead and the undead. Olddoc has thoughts on the proposed PMUA rate increase and board vacancies, and answers Maria on why he favors an appointed school board. Maria offers Edutopia's home-to-school connection guide to advance the Plainfield conversation. Dr. E=MC² has a new post, Education 101, about respecting the student (dated has been corrected to 12/06). Plainfield Sports News finds Cardinal boys enter zone of unknowns with first basketball scrimmage; GoFightLive TV goes live tonight; Express roll over Thunder.


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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 Sundays before 1:00 PM through Friday, December 17th. For more info, see here.

  • Friday - December 10. 7:30 PM. 15th Annual Drake House Tree Lighting. Over the years, the annual tree lighting has become one of the Drake House's prime outreach events, drawing in a large number of families from the neighborhood. This year will feature caroling, a surprise visit by Santa with a gift for every child, and refreshments. There will be drawings for raffle winners and the special Gingerbread House which will be awarded to a lucky family. There will be three theme-decorated trees in the museum's period rooms as well as in the Ballroom. At the Drake House, 602 West Front Street (at the foot of Plainfield Avenue). Info: (908) 755-5831 or visit the website at www.drakehousemuseum.org/.

  • 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.

  • Tuesday - December 14. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Wednesday - December 15. 5:30 - 7:30 PM. Red Cross Holiday Happy Hour. Holiday opportunity to meet with Red Cross staff, donors, volunteers and supporters for a friendly drink and some complimentary holiday hors d'oeuvres courtesy of Frank Pascale of Cafe Vivace. Cash bar. Please RSVP here so they can be sure to have enough on hand. At Cafe Vivace, 1370 South Avenue (parking in rear).

  • Thursday - December 16. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Monday - December 20. 8 PM. City Council Business Meeting. City Council Chambers/Courthouse. Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Public may speak on agenda items at beginning of meeting, on any item at end of meeting.

  • Wednesday - December 22. 7:30 PM. Project Hope / Youth  Council Christmas Party. A Christmas party for the members and families of the Youth Council Teen Center hosted by FUSP. At First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Avenue. (Parking in city lot across from church.)

  • Wednesday - December 22. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Thursday - December 23. 7 PM. Cable TV Advisory Board. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Saturday - December 25. Noon - 3 PM. Annual Community Christmas Dinner.  The First Unitarian Society of Plainfield continues its honored holiday tradition of a free home-cooked Christmas dinner for the hungry and lonely of the Plainfield community. (Note: They are accepting donations of new or clean gently used winter hats, scarves or gloves to be given away to the dinner guests.) Info: Cass at (732) 574-0059. At First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Avenue. (Parking in city lot across from church.)

  • Tuesday - December 28. 6 PM. PMUA: Rate Hike Hearing. The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority will consider a 61% rate hike for the 'shared services' portion of its services. At PMUA Headquarters, 127 Roosevelt Avenue (corner of East 2nd Street).

  • Thursday - December 30. 3 - 7 PM. Kwanzaa Celebration. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot).
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