Monday - November 10. 7:30 PM. City Hall Library is the venue of the City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue. Tuesday - November 11. 11 AM. Come out to the War Memorial and participate in Plainfield's observance of Veterans Dayl, Watchung Avenue and East 7th Street. Wednesday - November 12. 7 PM. The public is invited to attend the Cable TV Advisory Committee, at the City Hall Library. Thursday - November 13. 5:30 - 8:30 PM. Getting Connected: Free and Low-cost Marketing Solutions. Marketing solutions will be the focus of this workshop sponsored by the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce. The venue is the Plainfield Public Library at Park Avenue at West 8th Street. Free for members, $10 for non-members. For more Information call: (908) 315-0838 or email to plain... 11/08/2008

Plainfield, NJ market analysis for October 2008 Compared to September 2008         October:                                                              September: Active Listings = 451                                                477                                            Average LP = $ 286,081                                $ 294,736 New Listings    = 63                                                  57             Average LP = $ 247,822                                $ 266,131 Under Contract= 16                                                  17             Average LP = $ 198,737                                $ 341,018 Sold Listings    = 13                                                    16             Average SP = $ 276,338                                $ 232,997      ... 11/08/2008

Guest conductor Gary Schneiderwill lead the Plainfield Symphony in its celebration of Leonard Bernstein's 100th birthday and his music. The audience will be treated to the Overture to Candide, as well as the symphonic dances from West Side Story. An added treat will be the performance of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. The Plainfield Symphony, New Jersey's oldest community symphony, will perform at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at Watchung Avenue and East 7th Street. The concert begins at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25 for general seating and $15 for seniors and students. For more information call (908) 561-5140 or email info@plainfieldsymphony.org.   11/03/2008

Tomorrow - 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. Tomorrow - November 1. 5:30 PM Sharp bus departure. Community Basketball Trip: Nets vs. Golden State Warriors. Plainfield Recreation Division is sponsoring a bus trip 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. The cost is  $40 per person and includes a ticket, Nets giveaway and round-trip transportatio... 10/31/2008

3 PM on Sunday October 26, 2008 you will be ale to witness the artistry of five young talented performers under the age of sixteen.  Featured performers include: Sophia Barcelar - Cello, Monica Chon - Piano, Patricia Hso - piano, Dana Ramirez - Violin, Kevin Shi - Piano and Albert Wu - piano. The annual Crescent Concerts: Young Artists Showcase will take place at the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church located at Watchung Avenue and East 7th Street. Tickets: $20, $15/senior, $5/student. Info: (908) 756-2468 or www.crescentconcerts.org/.   10/25/2008

From Carnegie Melon University, LaMama in New York's Greenwich Village, off broadway and now Plainfield's United Church of Christ for Godspell's Plainfield debut in November. Godspell is a musical written by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. The basis of the play is taken from the Gospel of Matthew. The musical play is enriched with traditional hymns.   10/14/2008

Plainfield, NJ market analysis for September 2008 Compared to August 2008         September:                                                              August: Active Listings = 470                                                505                                            Average LP = $ 298,847                                $ 299,721 New Listings    = 57                                                  69             Average LP = $ 270,181                                $ 287,575 Under Contract= 18                                                  19             Average LP = $ 332,361                                $ 233,476 Sold Listings    = 14                                                    15             Average SP = $ 229,536                                $ 305,733        ... 10/11/2008

Sunday - October 19. 9 AM - 4 PM. FOSH Fall Garage Sale to benefit the provide scholarships for Plainfield High School students, classes at duCret Art School maintenance of the Leland Avenue Park and beautification of the Netherwood Train Station. Start at Leland Avenue at Watchung Avenue. Free and open to all. Rain or shine. Sunday - October 19. 9 AM - 3 PM. Annual 'HAL'  (Homeless Animal Lifeline) Yard Sale.  Provides support to homeless animals. Located at 1326 Watchung Avenue. Monday - October 20. 9:30 AM Registration. 'Last Chance 2008' Golf Outing: Benefit of the Tri-County Red Cross. 18 holes w/golf cart, full clubhouse access. Prizes and team awards. Brunch and dinner receptions, open bar cocktail hour, silent auction. $250/golfer ($100 tax deductible). To reserve your foursome,... 10/11/2008

  Tuesday - October 14. This is the last day to register to vote for the November Presidential Election. for more information contact the Union County Board of Elections at (908) 527-4121, located at 271 North Broad Street in Elizabeth, NJ. Tuesday - October 14. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session will take place at the City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue. Al are welcome. Wednesday - October 15. 7:30 PM. Cultural & Heritage Commission. will take place at the  City Hall Library. All are welcome. Wednesday - October 15. 9 PM. Third Presidential Debate. will be hosted at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Bob Schieffer, host of Face the Nation, will moderate the debate which focuses on domestic and economic policy. Thursday - October 16. 7 PM. Superintendent's Town Hall Meeting... 10/11/2008

    Last Sunday was family day at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, NJ. My wife was a part of the committee that put together the weekend long service that turned out to be a wonderful fun-filled family event.   It was a fun game of “Family Feud” Friday evening, family prayer on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., then Family Day service on Sunday.    It was a relaxed service, as we dressed alike in our yellow & blue colors, as well as inspiring as the Pastor preached about the importance of family and how important it is to have at least have one family member (my wife) on the right path that everyone else can cling to. That one person can be a lighthouse; shining the way for the rest to follow.   I love my family and everything I do is for the benefit of my family. In my career, I feel... 10/01/2008

Gone are the days of calling the neighbor's daughter to babysit. At least, without her having the proper credentials. Childcare on all levels is important. When education on childcare can be obtained, it should be embraced, because it only enhances the provider's knowledge. Case in point, the Red Cross Babysitting Course offered October 4, 2008, 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., in conference rooms A & B at the Somerset Medical Center. The course is geared for youth ages 11 -15. The objective is to provide them with skill sets essential to provide safe and responsible care in the absence of parents or guardians. The training is designed to foster leadership skills, professionalism, basic care, safety, safe play and first aid. Upon completion the student will receive a certificate and an illust... 09/29/2008

The Healthhike Walking Program is being offered October 1, 2008 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at AMC THeatres at Bridgewater Commons Mall, as part of Somerset Medical Center's fall line up for its Lifestyle and Wellness Program. Jayme Cilente, a certified group fitness instructor will review opportunities to increase your activity level and ways for achieving obtainable goals. Tia Haggins, RD will be on hand to discuss healthy eating, portion control and how to lose weight. The program is free, as is the blood pressure and body fat screening offered at 9:30 a.m. To register for Lifestyle & Wellness programs, visit the web site somersetmedicalcenter.com/events or call 908-203-6234. 09/29/2008

  Sunday - September 28. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Organ Recital. Ventured performer, Eric Plutz, University Organist at Princeton, will conduct an organ recital 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 - September 29. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library at 515 Watchung Avenue, will be the venue for the agenda session. Tuesday - September 30. 9 AM. Chamber Walk. The South Avenue shopping district is the venue for the walk conducted by members of the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's efforts will provide an opportunity to meet and talk with local merchants. 09/27/2008

  Thursday - September 25. 7 PM. Superintendent's Town Hall Meeting. Steve Gallon III will be your host for the town hall meeting. Mr. Gallon along with other education officials will discuss the agenda for the new school year. There will be an opportunity for questions. The venue is Evergreen School, corner of Evergreen Avenue and Edgewood Terrace. Come out and support the school districts! Friday - September 26. 9 PM. First Presidential Debate. Not in Plainfield, but just as important is the Obama and McCain debate taking place at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Moderated by Jim Lehrer, anchor of The NewsHour on PBS. Te focus of the debate will be foreign policy and national security. Saturday - September 27. 9 AM - 1 PM. Tour: Architectural Treasures of Teale.  ... 09/24/2008

  Wednesday - September 17. 5:30 - 9 PM. FOSH Dine Out: Freshwaters. A wonderful opportunity to feast on sumptuous southern cuisine, while contributing to worthwhile causes. From 5:30 - 9 PM you can dine with family and friends and a portion of your bill will be donated to FOSH. Simply complete the FOSH donation form. Your contribution will support the FOSH scholarship and other community programs. To reserve your seat, kindly RSVP to fosh@foshnj. Freshwaters, 1442 South Avenue. Reservations: (908) 561-9099. Wednesday - September 17. 6 - 8 PM. Small Business Seminar: Buying a Business or Franchise. Co-sponsored by the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, this seminar will be hosted by Capital One Bank located at 1735 Morris Avenue in Union, New Jersey (part of the Lowe's shopping center).  J... 09/17/2008

The Friends of the Plainfield Library are sponsoring the Annual Wine Discovery - Saturday, September 13, 2008 to benefit the library's literacy and program needs. The venue of this year's event is the home of William Gearhart, located at 1039 Rahway Road in Plainfield. Tickets are $75/person in advance, $85 at the door. There is a scheduled tour of the home from 3:30 - 4:30 PM. Tickets for the tour (including the wine tasting) are $85/person in advance and $95 at the door. For more information call (908) 757-2305. 09/09/2008

Plainfield, NJ market analysis for August 2008 Compared to July 2008         August:                                                                   July: Active Listings = 501                                                511                                            Average LP = $ 303,274                                $ 306,176 New Listings    = 67                                                  80             Average LP = $ 294,396                                $ 312,758 Under Contract= 18                                                  22             Average LP = $ 245,342                                $ 227,386 Sold Listings    = 13                                                    15             Average SP = $ 317,769                                $ 242,584             ... 09/09/2008

The July 2007 average volume of residential listings was 434 with an average price of $342,175. The July 2008 volume was 511 with an average price of $306,176. The Change in volume was a 17.7% increase. Equally interesting was the similarities in the new listings activity. July 2007 saw 76 listings averaging $337,540 and July 2008 had 80 new listings averaging $312,758. Now we come to the numbers reflecting the sales activity. July 2007 had 20 properties go under contract averaging $308,800 versus July 2008 with 22 properties averaging $227,386. Finally, the month of July 2007 closed out with 28 homes sold averaging $305,114, while July 2008 saw 15 homes sold averaging $242,584. In summary, the market remains robust for listings. Sales on the other hand are down , as are the sales price... 09/06/2008

It is that time of year again when the longstanding tradition of celebrating the arts comes to Plainfield. For the 45th year the town will host a festival to present fine art and crafts. There will be music and food vendors, as well as dance performances. Special consideration has been given to the needs of young people in the form of a Children's Art Table with other kids activities. Come celebrate the arts on September 6, 10AM - 4PM at Library Park, located at College Place and West Eighth Streets in Plainfield- its FREE! 09/04/2008

Plainfield, NJ market analysis for July 2008 Compared to June 2008         July:                                                                   June: Active Listings = 501                                                483                                            Average LP = $ 310,620                                $ 307,588 New Listings    = 78                                                  80             Average LP = $ 319,980                                $ 306,085 Under Contract= 23                                                  13             Average LP = $ 219,952                                $ 266,415 Sold Listings    = 13                                                    11             Average SP = $ 226,106                                $ 275,727             Aver... 08/10/2008