Is Plainfield's future a Latin beat?

For weeks, banners have been proclaiming the 'Gran Festival'
in celebration of the Independence of the United States.

The contrast in attendance between Plainfield's 3rd Latino Festival Celebrating American Independence and the 88th July 4th Parade was stark.

While much of the parade route was bereft of onlookers (in contrast with previous years), the 3-day Latino Independence Day Festival was jammed on Saturday and Monday (Sunday was impacted by showers).

In the band area alone, I estimated over a thousand were standing to listen to the music. The midway was packed with others working their way in small groups from food stands to games of skill to trinkets and souvenirs to the carnival rides at the far end near Watchung Avenue.

Here is a selection of photos from the Festival, which looks to become a destination event for Plainfield in future years.

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-- Dan Damon

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Slideshow: 88th Independence Day Parade (Part 1 of 3)

Councilors Williams and Storch walked the entire parade.

From Plainfield's 88th Annual Independence Day Parade, slideshow 1 of 3.

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• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 1 of 3"
• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 2 of 3"
• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 3 of 3"

-- Dan Damon

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Slideshow: 88th Independence Day Parade (Part 2 of 3)

Freeholder Linda Carter handed out flags to one and all.

From Plainfield's 88th Annual Independence Day Parade, slideshow 2 of 3.

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• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 1 of 3"
• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 2 of 3"
• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 3 of 3"

-- Dan Damon

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Slideshow: 88th Independence Day Parade (Part 3 of 3)

Islanders dance troupe adds pizzazz to parade.

From Plainfield's 88th Annual Independence Day Parade, slideshow 3 of 3.

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• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 1 of 3"
• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 2 of 3"
• 88th Independence Day Parade:  "Slideshow 3 of 3"

-- Dan Damon

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Plainfield's Independence Day Parade: Should we stop now?

Stepping off in a patriotic vein.

Though it was not July 4th, yesterday was a perfect day for Plainfield's 88th Central Jersey Independence Day Parade.

With the spirited return of the Plainfield High School Marching Band and Cheerleaders, a lively Ecuadorian troupe as part of the SID contingent and the flamboyant Islanders dance troupe as a spectacular finale, there was some real pizzazz.

The elegance of the Stone Square Lodge's float and the always-well-themed PMUA float were joined by newcomers this year, the Plainfield Elite Soccer Club and the local Knights of Columbus chapter, which meets at St. Bernard's church.

A selection of the 160-plus pictures from the Parade.

Am having trouble posting a slide show of the pictures.

Will continue post when they are up. Bear with me.

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-- Dan Damon

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88th Independence Day Parade steps off this morning

The annual July 4th Parade gives residents a chance to express their love of country.

Plainfield's 88th Annual Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 AM today from East Front Street and Johnston Avenue.

The parade proceeds down Front Street where it passes the reviewing stand in front of the YWCA at Church Street, ending at Front Street and Park Avenue.

This year's theme is 'The City of Plainfield Honors Athletic Excellence'.

Will all of the city's youth baseball programs be represented? You'll have to be there to find out.

Grand Marshal David Williams Sr. is featured in Mark Spivey's Courier News story highlighted in yesterday's CLIPS (see here).

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• Courier:  "Fireworks, parade highlight Plainfield's July 4th celebration"

-- Dan Damon

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Canon Michael Barlowe, former Rector, at Grace Church in July

Former Rector Michael Barlowe will preach at Grace Church.

The Very Rev. Michael Barlowe, a former Rector of Grace Episcopal Church, will preach at the principal morning service on Sunday, July 10.

Canon Barlowe is an assistant to the bishop of the Episcopal diocese of California, which serves San Francisco and the Bay area, where he is responsible for area and congregational ministries.

Grace Church, Plainfield, was his first rectorate, to which he came after having served as curate at St. Paul's, Westfield. In 1991, he became Dean of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Des Moines, Iowa, where he served until going to California.

Under his leadership, Grace Church determined to become a truly diverse religious community, reflecting the makeup of the Plainfield area by becoming a congregation that was both racially inclusive and also welcoming of gay and lesbian Christians.

While he was Rector, the congregation enthusiastically embraced the liturgical reforms adopted by the Episcopal Church and re-established a Boychoir which performed at special services and in concert throughout the tri-state area. The Boychoir both re-established an earlier Grace Church tradition and formed part of the outreach ministry of the parish, drawing in youngsters from the community who received not only musical training but also tutoring and recreational opportunities.

A concert by carillonneur Toru Takao on the Pittis Carillon will follow the morning service at Noon (see more here).

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GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Holy Eucharist - 10:30 AM

East 7th Street at Cleveland Avenue
Plainfield
(Parking on the street and in the public lot across from the church.)

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-- Dan Damon

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Downtown Block Party, plenty more on Saturday

Crowd at 2010 SID Downtown Block Party.

 

Plainfielders will find plenty to do on Saturday. The big event of the day will be the annual SID Downtown Block Party (11 AM - 3 PM) featuring music, food, entertainment; car. truck and bike show; and drawings for SID gift certificates. Artists include: Somers & Steel; Anthony Nelson Trio, and Bobby Syvarth. Latin groups include Grup Salvasion, Luna de Miel, Ill-Ego Flow and Caporales de San Simon. RAIN DATE: July 9. Info: (908) 756-1088.

Other activities you want to check out include (full details on the Community Calendar here) --

• 9 AM - 2 PM: Health Fair and Family Fun Fest, Rose of Sharon Church, 825 West 7th
• 10 AM - 3 PM: HIV/AIDS Testing, Plainfield Health Center, Myrtle and Rock Avenues
• 11 AM - 4 PM: SID Downtown Block Party, Front Street between Park and Watchung
• 3 PM - 5 PM: H.E.R.I.T.A.G.E. 2011 Graduation/Concert, Covenant UM Church 631 East Front

Popular activities at the Downtown Block Party include
the Rock Climb, face (and arm) painting, and FOOD!

 

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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'Shakespeare in Bloom' Saturday

Plan of Plainfield's Shakespeare Garden,
one of about a hundred worldwide.

Plainfield's Shakespeare Garden, one of a hundred or so on the entire planet, will be celebrated Saturday with a 'Shakespeare In Bloom' gala event, sponsored by the Plainfield Garden Club.

The local chapter of the national gardening organization has, among its other activities, tended the Shakespeare Garden for over 80 years, to the delight of Plainfielders and others.

In recent years, the club has also undertaken outreach efforts that include plantings in the student quadrangle at Plainfield High School.

Visitors to this year's event will find the trumpet vines are beginning to thrive around the new pergola and walkway, and that the stone retaining wall has been rebuilt by the County Parks Department, which partners with the Garden Club in maintaining the Shakespeare Garden. Visitors can also take tours of the garden, with club members explaining the plantings.

Gift items and plants will be offered for sale, and refreshments will be on hand.

Longtime PGC members Jeanne Turner, Barbara Sandford
take a break during recent preparations for Saturday's gala.

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SHAKESPEARE IN BLOOM
Presented by the Plainfield Garden Club

Saturday
June 11
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park
(Near the Randolph Road Cricket Pitch)
Parking along the park's drives;
note that the drive nearest the Garden is a one-way EXIT from the Park.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Take a Break Today: R&B By The Brook Concert

 

 

Union Couty's annual 'Rhythm and Blues by the Brook' takes place in Plainfield's Cedar Brook County Park today from Noon to 7:00 PM, rain or shine.

See the County website's schedule here, and Mark Spivey's piece in the Courier here.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM TONIGHT

City Council candidates for Ward 2  Cory Storch and Tony Rucker, as well as the candidates for the Wards 1/4 at-large seat,Vera Greaves and Dee Dameron, have been invited to participate in a candidate forum this evening, sponsored by the Friends of Sleepy Hollow (FOSH) and Hillside Area Neighborhood Watch (HANW).
 

7:00 PM, at the Cook School Auditorium.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Follow the Yellow Brick Road to PHS

 

The students of PAAAS are presenting three performances of the Wiz at Plainfield High School.

The performance is open to the general public, with tickets priced at $10/adults and $5/students.

This production is directed by the school's drama teacher, Othell J.Miller, and is based on the updated version of the Wizard of Oz classic done by Williams F. Brown and Charlie Smalls.

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THE WIZ
Presented by the students of PAAAS

Wednesday | June 1 | 10:00 AM
Thursday | June 2 | 7:30 PM
Friday | June 3 | 7:30 PM

PHS Auditorium
950 Park Avenue

Tickets:  $10/Adult, $5/Students
Box Office open prior to performances.
Info: (908) 731-4200 x5512

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Event Saturday in support of a Youth Resource Center

From the group's website.

Plainfield High School's auditorium will be the venue Saturday afternoon for an event in support of a Youth Resource Center for the community.

Sponsors of the event are Giving Initiatives and Alternatives, Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit (more here), and Plainfield Against Killing (see more here).

According to the Plainfield Against Killing website, planning for the event got under way this past December at the urging of Abdul Karriem Muhammad (known to many as longtime community activist Linward Cathcart), and includes the following objectives --

1) To increase security in the City of Plainfield by coordinating  and urging business owners in troubled areas to pool resources to hire police officers to patrol during late hours. 

2) To form additional security teams made up of residents who would be responsible for patrolling their own areas.

3) To gain control of or partner with a facility to operate a Community Resource Center that would cater to some of the social needs of the community including counseling services, food for the needy,  job training and job placement.

4) To form a Counsel of Elders that would act to resolve issues that affect the community.

5) To have black history courses incorporated into the elementary schools as a regular part of the curriculum.

6) To remain NON-POLITICAL and to perform our tasks for the community because of genuine concern and responsibility.

7) To establish a "no questions asked" gun turn in program with incentives for those turning in guns.

More than fifty participants have been invited to give brief (3-5 minutes each) remarks, and many are already confirmed, including Karriem Muhammad, City Council President Annie McWilliams, and Board of Ed President Renata Hernandez, as well as Gloria Taylor (widow of the late mayor Rick Taylor), activist Roland Muhammad, POP founder Larry Hamm, and many others. Lenny Cathcart, youth advocate and former Board of Ed member, will emcee the afternoon's event. Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs is listed as invited, though not yet confirmed.

After a break from 3:00 to 3:30 PM to visit vendor booths, participants will be treated to a closing segment featuring more than twenty local groups and individual artists.

The website says the event is being organized 'to express our concerns over the violence and to provide solutions to some of the problems'.

While it looks like great care was taken to involve broad segments of the community, there are some omissions that strike me as non-inclusive:

• Latino outreach seems severely limited given the number of individuals and groups active in the community;
  
  
• No mention is made of one of our great community activists, former Council member Joann Hollis; and
  
  
• Only one of the city's two thriving youth baseball leagues is mentioned.

That said, the event should be a good start to rally support for the group's long-rage goal of a Youth Resource Center.

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COMMUNITY DAY
In Support Of A
Youth Resource Center

Saturday, May 28
1:00 PM

PHS Auditorium
950 Park Avenue

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• Websites --
• "Giving Initiatives and Alternatives"
• "Plainfield Against Killing"

-- Dan Damon [follow]

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'Maidens in May' house tour today

The 1892 Norman Revival Grace Episcopal Church is part of tour.

Six gracious Plainfield homes will be showcased Sunday in the United Way of Greater Union County's third annual 'Maidens In May' house tour and the annual FOSH Garage Sale will wind up (9 AM -- 4 PM, Fernwood Avenue is a good place to start).

Besides homes of historic and architectural significance, the tour includes the Drake House Museum, managed for the city by the Historical Society of Plainfield and Grace Episcopal Church, which is on the national registry of landmarked properties.

As with previous years, the event's proceeds will be used to aid medical transportation for the Plainfield area, including both the Plainfield Rescue Squad and the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation.

The after-tour reception is slated for Grace Episcopal Church's award-winning garden (indoors in the Parish Hall in case of rain), with food, desserts and beverages being donated by several local businesses, include Blackberry's, Giovanna's, Café Vivace, 4th Street Barbecue, 2 Fish And 5 Loaves, Bonefish Grill, Rita's, Dairy Queen, Ferraro's Pizza, Queen City Diner, Imperial Deli and Scotchwood Diner.

Tickets are available before the tour at $25/person; day of tour tickets will be $30/person.

Grace Church's bell tower, which houses the 47-bell Pittis Carillon,
was restored in 2001.

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MAIDENS IN MAY HOUSE TOUR

Sponsored by the United Way of Greater Union County
in support of medical transportation for Plainfield area residents

Sunday, May 22
2 - 5 PM

Day of Tour Tickets (starting at 11 AM): $30/person

Grace Episcopal Church, East 7th & Cleveland Avenue
and at 937 Hillside Avenue

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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'Maidens in May' house tour tomorrow

The 1892 Norman Revival Grace Episcopal Church is part of tour.

Six gracious Plainfield homes will be showcased Sunday in the United Way of Greater Union County's third annual 'Maidens In May' house tour.

Besides homes of historic and architectural significance, the tour includes the Drake House Museum, managed for the city by the Historical Society of Plainfield and Grace Episcopal Church, which is on the national registry of landmarked properties.

As with previous years, the event's proceeds will be used to aid medical transportation for the Plainfield area, including both the Plainfield Rescue Squad and the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation.

The after-tour reception is slated for Grace Episcopal Church's award-winning garden (indoors in the Parish Hall in case of rain), with food, desserts and beverages being donated by several local businesses, include Blackberry's, Giovanna's, Café Vivace, 4th Street Barbecue, 2 Fish And 5 Loaves, Bonefish Grill, Rita's, Dairy Queen, Ferraro's Pizza, Queen City Diner, Imperial Deli and Scotchwood Diner.

Tickets are available before the tour at $25/person; day of tour tickets will be $30/person.

Grace Church's bell tower, which houses the 47-bell Pittis Carillon,
was restored in 2001.

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MAIDENS IN MAY HOUSE TOUR

Sponsored by the United Way of Greater Union County
in support of medical transportation for Plainfield area residents

Sunday, May 22
2 - 5 PM

-- Tickets --

ADVANCE: $25/person

Available at --
Pillars Bed & Breakfast, 922 Central Avenue
Swain Galleries, 703 Watchung Avenue
Plainfield Music Store, 120 North Avenue
Café Vivace, 1370  South Avenue
Two River Community Bank, 328 South Avenue, Fanwood

Day of Tour (starting at 11 AM): $30/person

Grace Episcopal Church, East 7th & Cleveland Avenue
and at 937 Hillside Avenue

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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FOSH garage sale, house tour, other events make for big weekend

Stuff! Stuff you must have!

Plainfield's annual monster event is upon us -- the annual FOSH (Friend of Sleepy Hollow) Yard Sale is this weekend, Saturday AND Sunday. (The 'Maidens In May' house tour is Sunday -- see separate post.)

The FOSH event draws thousands of eager bargain-hunters to Plainfield each year. The sale is from 9 AM - 4 PM both days, offering some of the best 'stuff' in New Jersey. The best place to start is along Watchung Avenue -- just look for balloons. Maps of participating homes are available at each location.

In addition, a number of other yard sale opportunities with SPECIAL EMPHASES --

• Saturday - May 21 (Rain date: Sunday). 9 AM - 3 PM. Yard Sale Benefiting Animal Support Groups. This is the 5th annual multi-household yard sale to benefit a variety of groups and organizations supporting animals. Clothing, kitchen/household, antiques/collectibles, books, furniture and more. At 1326 Watchung Avenue.
  
  
• Saturday - May 21. 9 AM - 3 PM. Annual Grace Episcopal Church Yard Sale. This year's sale is in memory of longtime enthusiast/coordinator John Eklund,  who recently passed away. Bargains galore, including kid's clothes, kitchen wares, furniture and decorative accessories, electronics, toys, jewelry and books, CDs and DVDs. At Grace Episcopal Church, corner of East 7th Street and Cleveland Avenue (parking in public lot across from church).
  
  
• Saturday - May 21. 9 AM - 4 PM. [Plainfield Symphony] FOSH Garage Sale. All sales at this location benefit the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra, which begins its 92nd season in September. At 900 Charlotte Road (corner of Watchung Avenue). Saturday only.
  
  
• Saturday - May 21. 9 AM - 4 PM. [Plainfield Garden Club] FOSH Garage Sale. Sales at this location will benefit programs of the Plainfield Garden Club, which maintains the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Brook Park as well as other gardening and outreach activities in the community. At 1734 Sleepy Hollow Lane. Saturday only.

You won't want to miss these opportunities!

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Art Auction for PAHS tonight

 

 An art auction benefiting the Plainfield Area Humane Society is being held this evening at the Watchung Firemen's Exempt Club.

Featuring art in all media and all price ranges, the event will help fund initiatives at the Rock Avenue shelter.

Wine, cheese, coffee and dessert will be served. Major credit cards are accepted.

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ART AUCTION
in support of
Plainfield Area Humane Society

Today | 7 - 10 PM
Tickets: $25/person

Watchung Exempt Firemen's Club
31 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung

All are welcome!

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Monday last day for food donations via postal workers

Stamp Out Hunger coordinator Nancy Piwowar
holds note put in food donation bag by postal patron.

For nearly twenty years, Plainfield's letter carriers have teamed up with Campbell's Soup to 'help stamp out hunger', collecting donations of food and delivering them to StarFish, Plainfield's local food pantry.

The event always happens on the second Saturday of May, but this year Plainfield postal workers are making another roundup of donated items on Monday (tomorrow), after many residents called Nancy Piwowar, one of the organizers of the Plainfield effort, to say they had further donations.

StarFish is looking for donations of canned goods of all kinds as well as nonperishable foods such pasta, cereal, etc.

Put your items out near your mailbox in a plastic bag and your letter carrier will make a last pickup tomorrow. Maybe you better do it now, while you're thinking about.

The good folks at StarFish thank you!

City Council candidate Dee Dameron pitches in to help StarFish crew.

...as does Councilor Cory Storch.

The StarFish crew. Front row (left to right), Lynda Stanbach, Edna Shanok, Kelly Cianciola;
Rear (left to right), Harry Mayer, Steven Danyo, Hugh Woodruff.
The program has been serving Plainfield residents for three decades.

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• Website:  "Stamp Out Hunger"

-- Dan Damon [follow]

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Free Plainwood Square concerts kick off Thursday

Crowds thronged Ray, Goodman & Brown performance
in 2010 Plainwood Square Concerts series.

 

Ray, Goodman & Brown will headline the first free Plainwood Square concert of the 2011 season Thursday evening at the neighborhood's beloved location.

Ray, Goodman & Brown (formerly The Moments), is a world-class group with a true 'Love on a Two-Way Street' relationship with Plainfield audiences. The even will be hosted by radio personality Vaughn Harper and includes a special performance by students of the Central Jersey Arts Charter School.

Bring your chairs, your family and your friends. Restaurants in the area will be open for your dining pleasure before, during and after the concert. Netherwood Heights Neighbors will continue their friendly practice of gathering for drinks on the terrace at Cafe Vivace.

 

Thanks to Pat Fields, who puts together the Plainwood Square series.

Sponsored by the Plainfield SID, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Plainfield Cultural & Heritage Commission, and local businesses: Burger King, Dairy Queen, KFC, McDonald's, Wendy's, Coury's Auto Body and PNC Bank.

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Free Plainwood Square Concert
Thursday, May 12

(Rain date: May 19)

6 PM Sharp
At Plainwood Square Park
FREE.

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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