Plainfield nature photographer's exhibit opens at Library Monday

A dragonfly poses for Carl's camera.

When I was introduced to Plainfield nature photographer Carl Monopoli's work nearly a year ago (see my post here), I immediately put him in touch with the staff of the Plainfield Public Library, thinking his work would make a fabulous exhibit.

Now it has come to pass -- the exhibit opens in the Library's Anne Louise Davis Gallery on Monday, August 14 and runs through October.

Carl lives on one of Plainfield's secluded streets that dead-ends into a woodsy glade forming a boundary with a neighboring town. It also thrives with wildlife, forming the subject matter of Carl's exhibit.

From foxes to snakes, from birds to insects, Carl patiently captures them all.

These stunning photographs have been blown up to exhibit size and will be on display for the next several weeks during the Library's regular hours.

The Plainfield Public Library is at Park Avenue and West 8th Street and is an accessible facility. Parking is available in the 8th and 9th Street lots. For more information about library hours and programs, visit the library's website at www.plainfieldlibrary.info/.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Latin American Independence Fiesta bids to return

Crowds thronged to the bandstand.

Council is set to vote on a resolution (265-17) at Monday's joint agenda/business meeting on a request by Edison Garcia, owner of Faraone's nightclub, to allow a two-day Festival in celebration of Latin American Independence (September 16 and 17) in lots 8 and 8-A between Somerset Street and Watchung Avenue.

Garcia's annual Fiesta, which commenced in 2009 quickly became a smash hit after carnival rides and a petting zoo were added in the next year.

Food, music, kiddie rides and rivers of cerveza made the event enormously popular with the Hispanic community of Plainfield and surrounding towns.

Now, after a hiatus of two years, Garcia aims to reinstate the popular event.

Throngs lined up at the food vendors.

The city adjusted conditions of the permits to bring the music to an end earlier than originally in response to comments from residents that it was too loud and played too late.

The permit application with notes by the city's inspector shows that care has been taken to deal with all possible issues that migh)t arise.

I expect this resolution will pass easily and we can look forward once again to a successful Fiesta.

NOTE: This double session (agenda and business meetings combined gets under way at 7:00 PM at the Courthouse / Council Chamber, East 4th Street and Watchung Avenue. Parking available on the street and in the lot across from the police station.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Neighborhood Health Center celebrates National Health Center Week

Stethoscope gets a workout at health center event.
(Photo courtesy healthcenterweek.org)

Beginning Monday (August 14), the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation will join with health centers across the country in celebrating National Health Centers Week (see website here).

According to the national organization's website, one in every fifteen people living in the United States depends on health center services. Health centers are among the highest ranked and cost-effective health care providers in the nation.

Plainfield's Neighborhood Health Services Corporation is proud to be a part of such a fine tradition.

Activities will take place at various Plainfield sites throughout the week --

Monday, August 14
NHC-Plainfield
1700 Myrtle Avenue
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday, August 16
Plainfield YMCA
518 Watchung Avenue
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Saturday, August 19
NHC-Cardinal (PHS)
950 Park Avenue
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

At each location there will be FREE health screenings, dental screenings, nutrition information and educational demonstrations.

There will also be FREE give-aways, a Moon Walk, music, games, refreshments and door prizes.

This year's sponsors include:United Healthcare, Horizon NJ Health, Amerigroup, Wellcare, Ray's Pharmacy and Drug Mart Pharmacy.

Questions? For more information, call Denise English at (908) 753-6401 x1988 or Andrea Taylor at (908) 753-6401 x1925.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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Next! Jazz featured in FREE Thursday Concert tonight

James Gibbs III brings the Brick City Soul Collective to City Hall.

Tonight's FREE concert at City Hall features jazz, soul and R&B performances by James Gibbs III and the Brick City Soul Collective (see their website here).

The group's Facebook page (here) lists Gibbs on trumpet and flugelhorn, Cliff Kee on bass guitar, keyboardist Mike Parker, and Stan Luke on drums. Vocals are provided by Sabriyah Williams. They also have a number of singles on YouTube. (If you're curious about how the flugelhorn differs from the trumpet and cornet, see here.)

Bring a friend and a couple of chairs and enjoy a summer evening concert. The program gets under way at 7:00 PM at City Hall Plaza, Watchung Avenue and East 6th Street. Parking available in the lot behind City Hall.

Unlike last week, when the program was delayed by a shower, this Thursday is expected to be comfortably warm and dry.

The Summer Concert series continues next Thursday (August 17) with Cocomama, and concludes on August 24 with a Rhythm Revue, featuring DJ's who will play for the audience to dance by.

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  -- Dan Damon [follow]

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