National Night Out events get under way tonight

Plainfield's 2007 annual National Night Out observance gets under way tonight with the Ward 1 Challenge event at Milt Campbell Field (see complete schedule below).

This year's co-chairs are Tiffany Wilson, assistant Union County prosecutor assigned to Plainfield's CP unit, and Linda Carter, councilor for Wards 1 and 4 at-large.

As Tiffany wrote me recently --

This year the committee wanted to get back to the roots of National Night Out without sacrificing Plainfield’s traditional Citywide Block Party at City Hall. The Ward challenges are meant to be a fun way to get people involved in the National Night Out message closer to their actual neighborhoods. We hope this will increase communication and collaboration locally. Not only are the Wards challenged to have the most participation at their neighborhood driven events and at the August 7^th main event, but they get extra points if they conduct a community service project. They are also challenged to help others in their ward begin block associations. This is just a long winded way of saying that I disagree with you that Plainfield’s celebration has moved away from resembling its “National cousin”. I believe we are actually moving back towards the National intent of increasing neighborhood communication and neighborhood watches. We hope to do this while increasing participation, community collaborations and awareness. These are all things the National movement is striving to achieve.

I hope you will find a way to participate in this year's events!

---

2007 National Night Out Events --

• Today. July 30. 6 - 9 PM. First Ward Community Day. Games, food, activities, voter registration. Bring canned good or non-perishable items for food bank. Milt Campbell Field, East 3rd Street. Info: Alex Toliver, (908) 922-6060. Rain date: Wednesday, same time & place. FREE.
  
  
• Tuesday. July 31. 6 - 8 PM. Ward 2 NNO Challenge. Planting at Netherwood Station. Painting bathrooms of the Fieldhouse at Seidler Field (North Avenue, across from Netherwood Station). Poster making at Seidler Field. Rain date: Wednesday. All Welcome. Those who register can attend the Celebration Party (see below).
  
  
• Tuesday. July 31. 8 - 10 PM. Ward 2 NNO Celebration Party. Registered participants who helped in the evening's activities are invited to a party at the YMCA, 518 Watchung Avenue.
  
  
• Thursday. August 2. 3 - 8 PM. Ward 4 NNO Challenge: Grant Avenue Block Party.
  
  
• Thursday. August 2. 3 PM. Ward 4 NNO Challenge: 'Unity in the Community' Day. Pool open. Music, games and more. Basketball game at 5 PM: Harlem's Rucker Park Players v. NYC Street Ballers. Rushmore Park, West 3rd & Rushmore Avenue. Rain date, Monday, August 6.
  
  
• Friday. August 3. Ward 3 NNO Challenge. Cleanup at Baptist/Methodist Cemeteries, Plainfield Avenue (10 AM on Friday and Saturday). Clothes drive. Block Party and Neighborhood Tour at 6 PM, starting at 130 Pemberton Avenue.
  
  
• Saturday. August 4. 11 AM - 3 PM. NNO Bike Rodeo / Youth Day. Sponsored by the Plainfield Police Division and the National Night Out Committee. At Library Park. FREE.
  
  
• Saturday. August 4. Dusk. NNO Youth Event: 'The Pursuit of Happyness' (movie). At Library Park. FREE.
  
  
• Sunday. August 5. 7 PM. Rose of Sharon NNO Community Celebration. Neighborhood March, Program, Refreshments.'Give Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party.' Rose of Sharon Church Parking Lot, 825 West 7th Street. All are invited.
  
  
• Tuesday. August 7. 6:30 PM. National Night Out Block Pary: A Going Away Party for Crime and Drugs. Music, food, community information tables. At City Hall, 515 Watchung Avenue. All are invited.

-- Dan Damon

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