The United Way Community Council of Plainfield will be hosting its second annual Maidens in May  Plainfield House Tour on Sunday, May 23rd, from 2-5pm, a reception follows the tour at The Tree Lawn Estate from 3-6pm. The tour promises to feature  some of Plainfield's architectural gems and noteworthy historical homes. An added bonus includes access to the gardens of some of the properties included in the tour.Proceeds from the Second Annual Maidens in May House Tour will benefit the Plainfield Medical Transportation Fund. The Plainfield Red Cross and Plainfield EMS will be beneficiaries of the fund's allocations in 2010.For more information about the Second Annual Maidens in May Plainfield House Tour, contact Tenisha Malcolm, Creative Media & Communications Associate at tenisha.malcolm@... 04/28/2010

We are fast approaching the day of the big sale. Upwards of 100 homes in Plainfield, New Jersey will be participating in the towns largest garage sale collective. Each participant will host their own garage sale as part of the Friends of Sleepy Hollow Garage Sale. The infamous Friends of Sleepy Hollow Garage Sale is taking place on May 22 & 23, 2010 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (rain or shine). The deadline for application submission is April 30, 2010. For more information, contact Kathleen at 908-668-1595.       04/28/2010

A benefit for Haiti relief will be underway this Saturday, March 27th at 7:00 PM. The evening features a reception, fine art exhibit featuring the works of Darlene Foster, Ivan Lo and Jeremy Langdon. Additionally, there will be performances by the Good News Community Gospel Choir under the direction of Mark Miller. The venue for this event is Grace Episcopal Church located at East 7th Street and Cleveland Avenue. The benefit's proceeds will be shared between the Clinton and Bush Haiti Fund, as well as the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund's Haiti relief effort. Parking in public lot across street. Info: (908) 756-1520 or visit www.graceplainfield.org/.                                                                                  03/22/2010

The Plainfield city architecture runs the gamut from ranches and cape cods to Victorians and classic colonials. A Plainfield house, regardless of architecture is representative of  a high quality housing stock.  Located at the southern end of Union county, Plainfield, New Jersey was originally settled by the Quakers in 1684 and incorporated in 1869. Within the six square miles of  Plainfield are numerous 18th century buildings, many of them private residences. The presence of many stately homes helped to give way to the creation of the nickname "The Queen City".    After the Victorian wave, Plainfield houses took on a much different style. The early 1900s saw an influx of classic colonials, side and center hall alike. The featured home of this article is a classic center hall colonial n... 02/02/2010

Welcome to traditional Plainfield living! This classic center hall Colonial awaits your personal touches and furnishings. This spacious home has beautiful hardwood floors throughout- even in the full attic! Relax in the huge living room by the beautiful brick fireplace with built-in shelving. This lovely home boasts four large bedrooms, large living and dining rooms and a sizable kitchen. Great for entertaining! There are two additional rooms in the attic. This is truly not a home to be missed! Classic Center Hall Colonial [4 Bedrooms, 1½ Baths]1170-1178 Stillford AvePlainfield, Union County, NJ $325,000 COMPLETE INFO UPDATED DAILYCurrent Listings Info Luxury New Homes Custom Build A New Home Land & Building LotsNew Jersey EstatesAll New Jersey HomesReal Estate Listings BlogsReal Estate... 01/23/2010

Dec. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Sales of existing U.S. homes rose more than forecast in November, to the highest level since February 2007, a sign housing is gaining strength along with the broader economy entering 2010. Purchases increased 7.4 percent to a 6.54 million annual rate from a revised 6.09 million pace the prior month, the National Association of Realtors said today in Washington. The median sales price declined 4.3 percent from the same month a year earlier, the smallest decrease since November 2007.   Lower interest rates, cheaper homes and a homebuyer tax credit have resuscitated a housing market that contributed to the worst economic slump since the 1930s. A sustained recovery in housing and the economy depends on a resumption of payroll growth after employers cut 7.2 million job... 12/22/2009

Electricians don't traditionally learn how to manufacture composites and boat builders don't typically climb 200-foot towers while on the job, but for some of the 38 students in a new program to train workers for Maine's burgeoning wind power industry, that's just part of the curriculum.   The program, launched this month by Larkin Enterprises, an electrical contractor and worker placement company in Lincoln, gives the students - the majority of whom are electricians - initial training for jobs in an industry that promises great things, but one many concede is still young and undeveloped. It is one of several training initiatives under way in Maine to develop a wind energy work force, which some fear will outpace available jobs. But that's not the thinking at Larkin, where Mike Ireland ... 12/15/2009

 This classic center hall Colonial awaits your personal touches and furnishings. This spacious home has beautiful hardwood floors throughout- even in the full attic! Relax in the huge living room by the beautiful brick fireplace with built-in shelving. This lovely home boasts four large bedrooms, large living and dining rooms and a sizable kitchen. Great for entertaining! There are two additional rooms in the attic. This is truly not a home to be missed!                                  CALL MICHELLE GILMORE FOR APPOINTMENT    201-960-5510 (CELL)                                                      CLICK ON PICTURE FOR COMPLETE INFO Classic Center Hall Colonial [4 Bedrooms, 1½ Baths]1170-1178 Stillford AvePlainfield, Union County, NJ $325,000   COMPLETE INFO UPDATED DAILYCurrent Listing... 12/07/2009

[Note: To follow is an excerpt of a radio show interview conducted by Peter L. Mosca, host of Income Property Investment Talk dot com, with Michael Anderson, CCIM, founder and co-owner of RealSource who is filling in for Nate Hanks who is the co-owner at RealSource; Bob Turner, Owner, Southern Properties, LLC, and Mindy Williams, President, RentandRetain.com, will explore proven practical ways to hold on to your valuable customer base, win repeat business and maximize assets. To listen to the show archive or download an MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/102809.]   Mosca: Customer retention provides the competitive advantage necessary to survive in any market. There is no doubt that with the weakened economy it has shifted concerns from staffing and acquiring new customers ... 11/26/2009

We live in information overload. There are more distractions coming at you from all directions, and at all times, than at any other time in the history of humanity. This is a message that is more important for you right now than ever before. Unplug your life! Here's how: First things first, you need a daily quiet time. Let me explain. Once of the richest men in the world at the time of his death in 1942 was George Andre of Nyon, Switzerland. He was a grain merchant that had started from humble beginnings as a small grocery store owner and became one of the world's largest grain traders. He lived in an opulent chalet in the Swiss Alps and his daily routine included locking himself into a room, sitting in a chair with his cup of coffee and staring out the window at the mountains for exact... 11/23/2009

Take time and do your homework. If you are rushed you won't be able to properly assess the marketplace to ensure that the needs of your business are met when you're signing a lease. If you have a lease renewal coming up, give yourself lots of time to renegotiate. Then if you can't come to agreeable terms or decide it's time to move to a different space, you have plenty of time to get everything in order for the transition.   Business leases are not like dwelling rentals. Business leases are totally different from personal dwelling rentals. In a personal dwelling rental, costs are usually restricted to a set monthly price plus specified expenses such as heat and water. The landlord could take responsibility for repair expenses. With business leases, there may be many other costs above th... 11/18/2009

Several states have sponsored laboratory and field studies looking at the feasibility of using RAS in HMA pavement. States such as Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, Minnesota and Texas have performed laboratory studies. Many other laboratory studies may be found on the Technical Reports and Articles pages. Field studies also have been conducted in which portions of highways or trailways have been paved with asphalt containing recycled shingles and have been monitored over time. Pennsylvania , North Carolina and Minnesota have conducted such trials. Benefits shown from these studies include:     Increased stiffness of the asphalt Decreased cracking No effect on moisture sensitivity Decreased susceptibility to rutting Decreased optimum content of virgin asphalt cement. Because of the benefi... 11/14/2009

The Plainfield Public Library will conduct a photograh contest reception and awards presentation on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 1 P.M. in the Anne Louise Davis Gallery. The event will also inlcude the exhibit opening, which will feature entries from both professionals and amateurs. The entries total some 80 photographs some of which ahve been submitted by local elementary school students. The event which is made possible through the support of The Friends of the Plainfield Public Library, serves as a conduit for collecting photographs of life in the Queen City. For more in formation, contact the library at 908-757-111 ext. 136.         11/07/2009

Lorraine Hansbury's play that focuses on the experiences of a family in Chicago during the 1950s, comes to Plainfield, New Jersey.   A Raisin In The Sun is being staged for a limited engagement, with direction by award winning filmmaker Alrick Brown. YWCA of Central New Jersey 232 East Front Street Plainfield, NJ Friday, May 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm For more information and tickets, call 908-756-3500 ext. 115       05/03/2009

The United Church of Christ is hosting a Financial Fitness Workshop to be conducted by Shelly Boyd, an accredited financial counselor with Novadebt. Novadebt is a Garden State non-profit consumer credit counseling organization. On Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 7 PM, Ms. Boyd will provide an overview of options available to those facing financial challenges.  The workshop is free and open to all; the church is located at 220 West Seventh St., in Plainfield, New Jersey.     04/15/2009

Plainfield, NJ market analysis for February 2009 Compared to January 2009         February:                                                           January: Active Listings = 385                                             394             Average LP = $ 262,598                             $ 267,960 New Listings    = 53                                               68             Average LP = $ 283,570                             $ 265,735 Under Contract= 20                                               9             Average LP = $ 198,858                             $ 219,197  Sold Listings    = 12                                                14             Average SP = $ 187,610                             $ 197,810             Average DOM = 105                                   10... 03/19/2009

On Thursday, February 29, 2009 you are invited to attend A New Era of Rights and Responsibilities:Civil Unions, Marriage & Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples, in Plainfield, New Jersey. Challenges facing same sex couples necesitate customized estate planning to ensure that surviving loved ones are protected. The symposium will consist of a panel of professionals to include: Parinaz Cole, Financial Advisor - Merrill Lynch Jim Cole, Financial Advisor - Merrill Lynch William Singer, Attorney - Singer & Fedun, LLC Christopher Bellis, Deputy Director of Development - Lambda Legal  The symposium will run from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at United Church of Christ in Planfield located at 220 West seventh Street, Plainfield, New jersey 07060. While there is no charge, reservations are required. Light re... 01/27/2009

Come join us at the United Church of Christ as we kick off a month long celebration of Black History during the month of February. This Sunday, February 1, 2009, we will be joined by Union County quilter Janice Jamison, who will share the history of quilting and its importance in African American culture. Service starts at 10:30 am and we are located at 220 West Seventh Street in Plainfield, NJ 07060.           01/27/2009

Plainfield, NJ market analysis for November 2008 Compared to October 2008         November:                                                              October: Active Listings =  428                                              462                                            Average LP = $ 281,312                                 $ 282,657 New Listings    = 52                                                 65             Average LP = $ 261,700                                 $ 248,466 Under Contract= 22                                                 18             Average LP = $ 196,280                                 $ 197,350 Sold Listings    = 23                                                 16             Average SP = $ 205,513                                $ 256,588          ... 01/04/2009

The number of listings for August 2007 was 445 with an average price of $336,766  & August 2008 was 510  with an average price of $296,757. More properties were available for sale this year. However, prices were down by 12%. New residential listings during the month were 81 with an average of $315,290 for July 2007 and July 2008 was 69 residential listings averaging $283,960. Fewer properties came on the market this August and prices were down by 10%. Now we come to the numbers reflecting the sales activity. August 2007 had 14 properties go under contract averaging $$287,907 versus August 2008 with 19 properties aveaging $241,376. prices are down this year by 16.16%. Finally, the month of August 2007 closed out with 17 homes sold averaging $300,863  , while August 2008 saw 15 homes sold... 11/08/2008