C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Drive-by budgeting.. City short on Spanish-speaking staff?.. Why shouldn't the District have a parental involvement policy?.. Sports : New links..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Pondering the budget, Bernice wonders if the City is short on Spanish-speaking staff? Maria urges residents to join in petitioning the District for a parental involvement policy. Why wouldn't the District want one? Olddoc tells of UVa and its honor code. Honor? What a concept! PEPtalk calls one and all to a meeting tonight (Washington School, 6:30 - 8:30). Plainfield Sports News has a fresh new look to its front page with links to school, pro/minor, and youth league sports.

Plainfield Poet Bill Amirault: "Plainfield businessman publishes '50 State Quarter Poems'"
Obituary: "Mary Lena Bowie-Lewis" -- former Plainfield Health Center executive director.

Star-Ledger Downsizing: "Star-Ledger plans 40% cut" -- 2 days after the rest of the world, the NYTimes rushes in

Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • BUDGET CALENDAR: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

    • Mon Oct 20 | Fire Division and $1.66M error.
    • Thu Oct 23 - 7:30 PM, City Hall Library | Extra budget meeting: IT [Information Technology], Public Information, and Project Alert [Dudley House].
    • Fri Oct 31 | Citizens Budget Advisory Committee sends budget recommendations to council.
    • Fri Nov 7 | City Council sends budget changes to Council finance committee.
    • Mon Nov 10 | City Council discusses budget changes and recommendations (from CBAC) with self, and requests administration comment and implementation. CBAC presentation of recommendations to City Council.
    • Wed Nov 13 | Administration responds electronically to change recommendations.
    • Mon Nov 17 | Resolution for budget changes is finalized and brought forward.
    • Mon Nov 24 | Public hearing on FY2009 Budget.
    • Mon Dec 1 | FY2009 Budget adoption..

  • Today - October 27. 6:30 PM. 'African Heritage in the Latin Caribbean'. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Plainfield's Cultural and Heritage Commission offers a presentation by Dr. Orlando Edreira. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room, Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. FREE.

  • Tomorrow - October 28. 3 - 9 PM. FOSH Pre-Halloween Dine Out. Take a break from fixing dinner, call a few friends and put together a table. Meet new neighbors and old friends, and check out one of Plainfield's favorite dining spots -- The Queen City Diner. Brian will donate a portion of the evening's receipts to FOSH in support of its PHS Scholarships, Netherwood Station beautification and the Leland Avenue Park. Brian Schoenberger's Queen City Diner (http://www.queencitydiner.com/) is at 1324 South Avenue. Putting a group together? Give Brian a heads up at (908) 756-7900.

  • Tomorrow - October 28. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - October 31. 6 PM. Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. The Recreation Division's annual family party includes a haunted house, a costume contest, prizes, snacks and lots of fun for all. A safe and fun alternative for children ages 5 - 10. Parents MUST accompany children. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Info: (908) 753-3097.

  • Saturday - November 1. 9 AM - 2 PM (Rain or shine). Electronics Recycling. Items accepted include: Monitors, keyboards, CPUs, TVs, phones, VCRs, printers and more. (See full list, including conditions and exclusions here.) Sponsored by Union County. At Schering-Plough, Kenilworth. Pre-registration NOT required, but proof of Union County residence is. Info: (908) 654-9889.

  • Saturday - November 1. 5:30 PM Sharp bus departure. Community Basketball Trip: Nets vs. Golden State Warriors. Bus trip sponsored by the Recreation Division to the game at the Meadowlands. Bus departs City Hall parking lot at 5:30 PM sharp. Game starts at 7:30 PM, bus will return to City Hall parking lot at 11:00 PM. $40/person includes ticket, Nets giveaway and round-trip transportation. First come, first served. Contact the Recreation Division, City Hall Annex, 510 Watchung Avenue or (908) 753-3097.

  • Tuesday - November 4. 6 AM - 8 PM. General (Presidential) Election. Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY

Newark: "Newark cops arrest CBS cameraman at anti-violence rally"


STATE

U.S. Senate Race: "Candidates have opposite positions on taxes" -- Golly! | -- The Ledger endorses Lautenberg.
2009 Corzine Run: "Internal polls show tough landscape for Corzine"

Atlantic City: "State sought control of AC when mayor went missing in Oct. 2007"
Legislature: "Voting session today on host of bills to aid economy, homeowners"
Statehouse Park: "Archaeological dig under new park surrounding State House"
UMDNJ: "Oversight didn't halt abuses at UMDNJ" -- Overcharged Medicare even while Christie was investigating.

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.
Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
Iraq: "U.S. threatens to withhold services if deal is not signed" -- Meanwhile, the Iraq government has not paid the U.S. backed militias, which could unravel the relative stability.
Israel: "Livni abandons effort to form coalition government"
Veterans: "Candidates agree the V.A. is broken"
White House Emails: "Email administrator asked consultant how to delete emails" -- Mike Connell, now McCain's IT guy.


OF INTEREST
Voting Machines: Fran Wood: "Less than confident our votes really count"

BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 11:04 AM

Sunday, October 26, 2008

A NYTimes fish tale.. Budget: Burney digs up must-read docs, Storch on Info Tech, Mapp says Mayor should step up.. Courier profiles Annie & Adrian..

PLAINFIELD


Believe it or not, the Ledger's entire Sunday edition appears to be lost in the ether -- including its endorsement of Obama, the failure of the Sierra Club to endorse either Stender or Lance, the Union County section -- including the FOSH Halloween dine-out, and the business and top stories sections. Gremlins?

The Courier advises that home delivery rates are going up November 1st. More for less.

PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Picturing a foreclosure on 6th Street by the YMCA, Bernice wonders how foreclosures will affect tax collections. You should, too. Councilor Storch continues his overview of budget issues with a discussion of information technology. Councilor Burney posts two must-read budget documents prepared by retired CFO Pete Sepelya. Candidate Adrian Mapp urges Mayor Robinson-Briggs to step up and take responsibility for the $1.66M budget error. Olddoc recalls leaving the nest, in the midst of the Depression. At PEPtalk, Renata praises divine intervention, and outlines three conflict-handling styles. Which one are you? As the leaves change gloriously, you will want to re-read Greg Palermo's post on Red oaks at Plainfield Trees.
City Council: "Come January, Council will have two new members"

Endorsements: "Courier: Obama for president" -- Ledger too, but you won't find it online.
Redevelopment & Parking: "A back seat for parking space" -- Many cities require parking structures to have 'active front-door uses'. And Plainfield?
Double-Dipping: "Young J.C. councilman makes enemies over campaign against double-dipping"

Star-Ledger: "40% decrease in Star-Ledger news room" -- Many more opted for the buyout than the Ledger will take. How would you like to now work for a company that wants to get rid of you but won't let you go?
Gannett: "Gannett halts monthly financials" -- Running from bad news?
Media: "Newspaper slump could affect investigative reporting" -- Letting scoundrels get away with everything?
Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • BUDGET CALENDAR: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

    • Mon Oct 20 | Fire Division and $1.66M error.
    • Thu Oct 23 - 7:30 PM, City Hall Library | Extra budget meeting: IT [Information Technology], Public Information, and Project Alert [Dudley House].
    • Fri Oct 31 | Citizens Budget Advisory Committee sends budget recommendations to council.
    • Fri Nov 7 | City Council sends budget changes to Council finance committee.
    • Mon Nov 10 | City Council discusses budget changes and recommendations (from CBAC) with self, and requests administration comment and implementation. CBAC presentation of recommendations to City Council.
    • Wed Nov 13 | Administration responds electronically to change recommendations.
    • Mon Nov 17 | Resolution for budget changes is finalized and brought forward.
    • Mon Nov 24 | Public hearing on FY2009 Budget.
    • Mon Dec 1 | FY2009 Budget adoption..

  • Today - October 26. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Young Artists Showcase. Five exceptionally talented young artists under the age of 16 will appear in this eagerly awaited annual event. 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/.


  • Tomorrow - October 27. 6:30 PM. 'African Heritage in the Latin Caribbean'. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Plainfield's Cultural and Heritage Commission offers a presentation by Dr. Orlando Edreira. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room, Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. FREE.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 3 - 9 PM. FOSH Pre-Halloween Dine Out. Take a break from fixing dinner, call a few friends and put together a table. Meet new neighbors and old friends, and check out one of Plainfield's favorite dining spots -- The Queen City Diner. Brian will donate a portion of the evening's receipts to FOSH in support of its PHS Scholarships, Netherwood Station beautification and the Leland Avenue Park. Brian Schoenberger's Queen City Diner (http://www.queencitydiner.com/) is at 1324 South Avenue. Putting a group together? Give Brian a heads up at (908) 756-7900.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - October 31. 6 PM. Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. The Recreation Division's annual family party includes a haunted house, a costume contest, prizes, snacks and lots of fun for all. A safe and fun alternative for children ages 5 - 10. Parents MUST accompany children. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Info: (908) 753-3097.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


REAL ESTATE SUNDAY

SMALL PICTURE
Mortgages: "Should an ARM holder convert to a fixed-rate?"
Yard Sales: "Raising needed cash, sentiment is the first thing to go" -- Signs of desperate times.
BIG PICTURE
Auctions: "The home auction, deconstructed" -- Auctions are coming to Plainfield, if you've noticed.
NJ Foreclosures: "Corzine urges U.S. to stem foreclosures in N.J."
Reverse Mortgages: "Reverse mortgages retooled" -- New laws taking effect.
TOOLS
This Week's Sales: "NYTimes's Residential Sales Around the Region" -- Week of October 26, 2008.
Ledger: "Home Finder", "Premier Estates" and "Real Estate" sections online.
Courier: "Real Estate" section online.
Trulia: "Your Personal Real Estate Google"
Mortgages: "US Mortgage Payment Index"
Buy or Rent?: "Cost Comparison Tool" -- Enter your own values to calculate which is better, buying or renting. A really neat tool!

CENTRAL JERSEY

Stender/Lance Race: "NYTimes Endorsement: Lance"

Newark Bears: "Newark Bears on verge of folding"
Newark Shootings: "Two men arrested in drive-by shootings" -- Ledger | NYTimes |
Morris County: "Dems dominate the rolls of newly registered voters"


STATE

U.S. Senate Race: "NY Times endorsement: Frank Lautenberg"

Dropout Rate: "A plan to cut high school dropout rate"

The 'Other' Bonaparte: "Digging up Joseph Bonaparte's home in exile" -- Once King of Spain and Naples, Napoleon's brother lived in exile in New Jersey.

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.
Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
OF INTEREST
Scotch Tape: "Researchers produce X-rays pulling Scotch tape off roll"

Crystal Cathedral: "Robert H. Schuler ousts his son as 'Hour of Power' preacher"

BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 10:22 AM

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Halloween costume sale today.. Film: Human face of gangs, screening today.. Bernice on budget hearing.. Olddoc finds a barn..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice writes up Thursday's [informal] budget hearing. Olddoc finds a barn in the middle of the night, and reminds us how lucky we are with today's medical procedures. At PEPtalk, Renata asks what's wrong with having a parental involvement policy, and points out Newark and Camden have district-wide parental involvement groups. So, why NOT Plainfield? Plainfield Sports News covers the Elizabeth/Plainfield track and field event.


Banks: "PNC to buy Cleveland's National City for $5.2B" -- Read carefully to see who's REALLY buying.
Gangs: "Filmmaker looks at 'human side' of gangs" -- Screening info below.

Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • BUDGET CALENDAR: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

    • Mon Oct 20 | Fire Division and $1.66M error.
    • Thu Oct 23 - 7:30 PM, City Hall Library | Extra budget meeting: IT [Information Technology], Public Information, and Project Alert [Dudley House].
    • Fri Oct 31 | Citizens Budget Advisory Committee sends budget recommendations to council.
    • Fri Nov 7 | City Council sends budget changes to Council finance committee.
    • Mon Nov 10 | City Council discusses budget changes and recommendations (from CBAC) with self, and requests administration comment and implementation. CBAC presentation of recommendations to City Council.
    • Wed Nov 13 | Administration responds electronically to change recommendations.
    • Mon Nov 17 | Resolution for budget changes is finalized and brought forward.
    • Mon Nov 24 | Public hearing on FY2009 Budget.
    • Mon Dec 1 | FY2009 Budget adoption..

  • Today - October 25. 10 AM - 3 PM. Community Scrapbooking and Memory Making Event. Bring your favorite photos and learn how to tell your story. A scrapping share-and-swap table will be available. Albums and multicultural supplies will be available for purchase. Refreshments provided. Info: Recreation Division, (908) 753-3097.

  • Today - October 25. 3 PM. Film: 'Moral Panic: The Human Face of Gangs'. Orange filmmaker Akintola Hanif's portrait of gang members, commissioned by the NJ Institute of Social Justice. At the Newark Arts Resource Center, Broad Street.

  • Tomorrow - October 26. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Young Artists Showcase. Five exceptionally talented young artists under the age of 16 will appear in this eagerly awaited annual event. 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/.

  • Monday - October 27. 6:30 PM. 'African Heritage in the Latin Caribbean'. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Plainfield's Cultural and Heritage Commission offers a presentation by Dr. Orlando Edreira. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room, Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. FREE.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 3 - 9 PM. FOSH Pre-Halloween Dine Out. Take a break from fixing dinner, call a few friends and put together a table. Meet new neighbors and old friends, and check out one of Plainfield's favorite dining spots -- The Queen City Diner. Brian will donate a portion of the evening's receipts to FOSH in support of its PHS Scholarships, Netherwood Station beautification and the Leland Avenue Park. Brian Schoenberger's Queen City Diner (http://www.queencitydiner.com/) is at 1324 South Avenue. Putting a group together? Give Brian a heads up at (908) 756-7900.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - October 31. 6 PM. Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. The Recreation Division's annual family party includes a haunted house, a costume contest, prizes, snacks and lots of fun for all. A safe and fun alternative for children ages 5 - 10. Parents MUST accompany children. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Info: (908) 753-3097.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY

Berkeley Heights: "County Manager Devanney has GOP sign in his yard" -- Lesniak's nephew. Can it be true?
Edison: "Wall Street wives get used to a new lifestyle -- less lavish"
Montclair: "As economy wilts, Presby Iris Garden falters"
North Plainfield: "Students make presentations on their Hispanic heritage"
Springfield: "Ex-fire chief faces forgery charge after exam-rigging probe"
Union County Freeholders: "'Bully pulpit' or bully-in-the-pulpit?" -- Did Freeholder electioneer at Freeholder Board meeting?


STATE

Corzine: "Corzine names DEP commissioner Lisa Jackson his new head of staff"

Corruption: "Ex-Guttenberg mayor and wife get prison for taking bribes"
Politics & Education: "Politics 101: Colleges studying the campaigns"

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.
Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
 The Economy: "States' tax receipts fell sharply in last quarter" -- Magnifying economic downturn.
Guantanamo: "Tribunals overseer under investigation" -- Said to have bullied prosecutors, misled on his conduct.
Iraq: "Iraq's prime minister will not sign troop deal"
Market Meltdown --

OF INTEREST
politadsworst
Political Ads: "The Top Ten Worst Ads of 2008" -- The dopiest, most misguided and weirdest of 2008. With nominations not attributed, would you be surprised to learn operatives picked the worst of their OWN party?.

BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 9:44 AM

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