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Pope Francis's monumental visit to Washington D.C. on Thursday, September 24, 2015, where he spoke to a joint meeting of Congress urging compassion for the less fortunate and our many immigrants, while referencing iconic United States leaders such as President Abraham Lincoln and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Pope Francis stated,
"Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples," and he also said, "We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good."
I strongly agree with Pope Francis's inspiring support for the less fortunate and the many immigrants who come to our great country seeking hope, freedom and the dream of a better life.
As your family goes about their daily routines, take the opportunity to pause and observe with your children or family members the vibrant changing colors of the leaves or the crisp morning air - which is reminiscent of the Pope's vision for change and unity within our great country and the world.
Creating One Plainfield - One Future,
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Farmer's Market
On September 24, 2015, Senior residents of Plainfield Tower West were greeted by students from Shiloh Baptist Church with a bag of fresh seasonal produce from a local Hightstown farm. Seniors and residents were very happy and thankful for this initiative which was made possible by a Grotta Fund Grant. I look forward to our seniors eating healthier, as farm fresh produce will be delivered monthly.
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Gavett Place Road Closure
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City of Plainfield: Auction of Foreclosed Properties
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As many of you know, there are a number of abandoned and foreclosed properties in the City of Plainfield. As a result of past auctions, we have experienced improvements to neighborhoods with new construction and rehabilitated properties.
With Bitter-sweet emotions - bitter because of the misfortune of those who previously owned these properties; sweet because of the opportunity that awaits those who are looking forward to successfully bidding on these properties. I welcome you to the 2015 Public Real Estate Auction for the City of Plainfield. This is an opportunity for neighborhood revitalization and transformation.
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Vote for Artwork "Outside the Box"
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Vote for your top four choices for the City of Plainfield
Union County has an
initiative
named "Outside the Box," that will engage local artists and will help with
beautifying some of our utility boxes in Plainfield.
Click on the link below to vote on your choice of artwork. Deadline - Wednesday, September 30th.
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Cultural and Heritage Commission: Grant Applications Due November 16, 2015
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The Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission invites you and your organization to review the guidelines below and apply for a grant or mini-grant. The Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission is a nondiscriminatory organization, encouraging a broad base of participation among artists, organizations, and audiences. All awards are made without regard to age, race, creed, religion or national origin.
Guidelines
Who is eligible?
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The grant or mini-grant program is designed to provide financial assistance to local artists, arts organizations, cultural purveyors, art educators and others involved in the creation of art and cultural and heritage projects. Applicants must be Plainfield-based (not necessarily a resident), and the application must
demonstrate the project's
broad impact on Plainfield and Plainfield area residents. The event must take place in Plainfield, New Jersey.
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A 501(c) 3 is required for organizations.
Click Here for More Information
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Economic Development: Update
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Community Service Events
Zoning Board of Adjustment
- Granting approval to permit the conversion of an existing auditorium into four new classrooms at the Queen City Academy Chart School on West Eighth Street and Grant Avenue, thereby providing additional educational options for Plainfield's elementary school students.
- The board granted a use variance and site plan approval to permit the expansion of an existing long time family held automobile body shop at the corner of West Second and New streets to include automobile repair services, automobile towing, and automobile storage with numerous site cleanups and public right-of-way improvements.
- At their September 2, 2015 meeting, the Zoning Board of Adjustment granted relief from zone requirements to Grace Episcopal Church on Cleveland Avenue to permit the installation of a ground sign on the corner of East Seventh Street and Cleveland Avenue
Shade Tree Commission
On behalf of the Shade Tree Commission, the Planning Division submitted an application to the State of New Jersey and received a $3,000 grant to fund the cost of a new 5 year Community Forestry Management Plan. This plan provides the framework for the continued greening of Plainfield's streets through the judicious removal of diseased/inappropriate trees, pruning of selected trees, and the planting of new trees. It also protects the city from law-suits connected to trees.
Block Grant Program Public Hearing
The Department of Community Development hosted their Program Year 42: Community Development Block Grant Program Public Hearing on September 24, 2015 in the City Hall Library. Donna Morris, Project Coordinator, presented an overview of the CD Year 42 application highlighting key aspects including national objectives, performance and outcome measurements, project and CD levels of service, budget pages, etc.
Ms. Morris provided an overview of the current year's (CD Year 41) Plainfield allocation and noted that City of Plainfield applicants were awarded a total of $1,352,650 (25%) of the overall $5,382,652 Union County allocation. She explained that the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $4,016,263 to the County consortium, while other funding consisted of reprogrammed and contingency funding. The City participates in a consortium of nineteen municipalities to allocate funding for neighborhood revitalization and improvements.
Ms. Morris also provided details of the application timeline, beginning with the September 30th due date for proposals to final submission to Union County Bureau of Community Development by December 4, 2015.
The meeting was well attended.
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Administration and Finance Update
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Mayor's Wellness Walk
Breast Cancer Awareness Event
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Public Affairs and Safety Update
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The City of Plainfield and the surrounding communities have continued to experience thefts from unlocked motor vehicles. Residents are urged to PLEASE lock your vehicles during the day and over night. Please do not leave an extra set of keys or other valuables inside the vehicle.
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The HireLifeScience.com Career Fair 2015
TUESDAY - 09/29/2015
11am - 4pm
Location: 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison , NJ 08837
What to Bring: Printed invitation and copies of your resume.
Event Details: On September 29, 2015 HireLifeScience.com will be hosting their annual HireLifeScience.com Career Fair. The HireLifeScience.com Career Fair 2015 will take place at Raritan Center - New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center in Edison, NJ. There will be no recruiting agencies participating in this event, making it one of the few times candidates will meet exclusively and directly with employers from the life science industries. This means direct access to the contacts who will do the interviewing, no middle men! Candidates must possess a 4 year life science related degree and 2 years professional experience working for a Life Science related company. An invitation to attend will be sent if the minimum qualifications are met. Novo Nordisk, Covance, Johnson & Johnson and many more will be in attendance. We expect 20 or more companies.
Directions to Event: http://www.njexpocenter.com/directions/
Sponsored By: HireLifeScience.com
Event Contact: Matthew Masterson
E-mail:
[email protected]
Phone: (609) 308-2658
Website:
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Edison Health Career Fair
WEDNESDAY - 10/07/2015
10am - 2pm
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Hotel - Edison Raritan Center
50 Raritan Center Parkway
Edison , NJ 08837
What to Bring: Resume & a Smile!
Event Details: A Health Career Fair for RNs, LPNs, CNAs, CMAs, MAs, CHHAs, Direct Care, PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs and SLPs. FT * PT *Per Diem - All shifts available. Meet Face to Face with Recruiters, fill out applications and Get a Job!
Additional Information: Free Parking.
Sponsored By: Guide Publications - Jersey Job Guide
Contact Information:
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Jersey Job Club
The Jersey Job Club gives you the tools and support you need to find a job. We will help you develop new skills and build upon skills you already have. There are 23 local Job Clubs and six statewide industry-specific talent network Job Clubs throughout New Jersey.
T
o find a good job in challenging times, successful job seekers look for opportunities to get an edge. The Jersey Job Club is just such an opportunity - and the sooner you start, the sooner you'll get results.
Job Seekers - Click on Link Below for a Listing of Local Job Fairs
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Division of Parks and Recreation Continues to Serve Our Youth and Seniors
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The Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation, as part of the " Arts in the Park" initiative, is sponsoring a writing workshop and " Open Mic" event for all poets " young at heart"!
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Free Diabetes Program Offered in Spanish at El Centro Hispanoamericano in Plainfied
Are you living with diabetes or know someone who is? We invite you to attend a six-weeks Diabetes Self-Management Workshop series which will be conducted in SPANISH. Participants will learn about diabetes and its risks; the role of diet and exercise; how to deal with pain, fatigue and depression; how to effectively communicate with healthcare providers; managing medications and much more.
Join us for these free workshops at El Centro Hispanoamericano, located at 525 E. Front street in Plainfield. Workshops take place on Mondays from September 28 to November 9, 2015 (excluding October 12), from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The exact dates are: 9/28/15, 10/5/15, 10/19/15, 10/26/15, 11/2/15, and 11/9/15.
For more information or to register for these free workshops, call Silvia Hernandez at (908) 753-8730.
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Plainfield Learning Center
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How Too Many Rules at Work Keep You from Getting Things Done
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Published on Sep 21, 2015
Modern work - from waiting tables to crunching numbers to dreaming up new products - is about solving brand-new problems every day, flexibly, in brand-new ways. But as Yves Morieux shows in this insightful talk, too often, an overload of processes and sign-offs and internal metrics keeps us from doing our best. He offers a new way to think of work - as a collaboration, not a competition.
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Plainfield Education Update
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STEPPING FOR THE CURE
Breast Cancer Awareness events are planned for October 15-October 27. The "Plainfield Passionistas" and the Plainfield Public Schools, are partnering to bring to the community several events, starting Thursday, October 15, 2015, with Line Dancing at Plainfield High School, from 4-5:30pm; PINK DAY on Friday, October 23, 2015; and a Cancer Awareness and Health Fair/Walk on Tuesday, October 27 from 3:00 - 6:30 p.m. For additional information, please call Janice Woods, at 908-397-0158 or visit www.plainfieldnjk12.org.
PLAINFIELD HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING
The Plainfield Community is invited to attend Plainfield High School's HOMECOMING on Saturday, October 24, 2015. The celebration will begin with "Spirit Week" starting Monday, October 19. There will be a Pep Rally, on Thursday, at 1:30 p.m.; a Bonfire on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and the Homecoming Dance and Crowing of the King and Queen and the Court, at 7:00 p.m. HOMECOMING GAME is Saturday, October 24, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Hub Stine Sports Complex, 14 Randolph Road. Come cheer the team!! Go Cardinals!
COLLEGE FAIR FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS OCTOBER 17, 2015
Plainfield Public Schools District will be providing transportation to Plainfield High School students, who are interested in participating in the Rutgers College Fair for undocumented students, on Saturday, October 17, 2015, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fair will take place at Douglass Campus Center, 100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Translation will be provided. For additional information visit
www.plainfieldk12nj.org.
PLAINFIELD JOURNALISM STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE MEDIA EDUCATION
Plainfield High School students are participating in the Gannett Media Education program that offers students and faculty free access to newspapers online. The program provides access to local newspapers via the e-Newspaper at no cost to the school. Journalism Teacher, Sebastian Hill, is participating in the program with his class and is providing his students with up-to date, current instruction, while incorporating innovative learning strategies to improve their literacy and critical thinking skills.
PLAINFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN COLLEGE CREDITS VIA RUTGERS UPWARD BOUND PROGRAM
Plainfield Public School students can begin earning college credits, as early as the ninth grade, via the Upward Bound program offered by Rutgers University, to Plainfield Public School high school students. Students can enroll in the year-round college preparation programs, that offer them exciting ways to earn college credits, individual tutoring and advice, visits to colleges, and an opportunity to earn scholarships, grants and stipends. Students interested in the sciences may join Upward Bound Math-Science Program. Parent participation is requested at key events. To participate students must fill out an online application at access.rutgers.edu. The application deadline is December 18, 2015. Students are urged to sign up now!
Please mail or bring your application to Rutgers Upward Bound Office, Lucy Stone Hall A316, 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Plainfield High School students may bring their application to Guidance Counselor, Roberta Wilson, Room 618, in the North Building.
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION AT PLAINFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Plainfield Public School District is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at all of its schools and pre-K Early Education Centers. A district-wide celebration will take place on October 16, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The students and their parents are urged to RSVP online at
www.plainfieldnjk12.org. For a listing of all the Plainfield Public Schools' Hispanic Heritage events, please visit
www.plainfieldnjk12.org.
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Plainfield Arts and Culture
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Frontiers International - Westry Horne Cultural and Heritage Series
Presents:
Black Media: A Status Report with Radio personality, Filmmaker, and National Activist
Bob Law.
This event will take place Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 1:00 - 4:00pm at The Washington Community School
Cafetorium, 427 Darrow Ave, Plainfield, NJ. Light refreshments will be available.
This event is free and is supported by funds from the Union County HEART Grant and the
Frontiers International Plainfield Area Club. Please come out and spread the word. F
or additional information call
908-868-8704
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Plainfield Grassroots Community Development Gala
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The Plainfield Grassroots CDC provides great educational support services to the Plainfield area communities with one of the best SAT prep programs in NJ, an outstanding STEM program called "Out of The Box Club", and a summer day camp. Please help the PGCDC help the youth and families in our community. The PGCDC is a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt organization - Tonight.
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Second Street Youth Foundation Event
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Union County Update:
County WiFi Program Averages Approximately 60,000 Users a Year
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The County of Union WiFi installations at six locations in parks and government facilities are attracting more than 170 users daily - more than 60,000 a year - Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh announced today.
"In the society that we live in, communication and technology are no longer a luxury but a necessity," said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. "That's why we are proud to be able to ensure that our residents have access to the worldwide Internet while they're in our public locations."
Serving as the Chairman in 2014, Freeholder Hudak championed the initiative to make free WiFi available at multiple public spaces around Union County. "The Freeholder Board wanted to ensure free WiFi was available for our citizens in both the eastern and western ends of our County," said Freeholder Christopher Hudak. "After having the service available for a little over a year now, it is clear that our residents are enjoying it for personal, education and business uses."
The six current WiFi installations include:
- The Union County Clerk's Office at the Colleen Fraser Building at the Public Safety Complex on North Avenue in Westfield.
- Nomahegan Park playground, Cranford.
- Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.
- Warinanco (Park) Skating facility, Roselle and adjoining area. Service is available during construction.
- Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool at Rahway River Park.
- Wheeler Park Pool and Playground area, Linden.
Logging on to Union County's service is easy for WiFi-enabled devices, such as Apple I-Phones and I-pads, Android-based phones and tablets and any other capable devices. Merely find the Wi-Fi settings on your devices. Select "Union County Wi-Fi" as the connection to join. Follow on screen agreements and enjoy.
WIFI service is free. Safety features are also in place, including having the users to re-login periodically to discourage downloading or streaming of large files which may cause the performance and bandwidth to decrease for other patrons who may be logged on at the same time.
"County WiFi Program Averages Approximately 60,000 Users a Year." County of Union New Jersey. 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Sept. 2015. <http://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2015/09/21/county-wifi-program-averages-approximately-60000-users-a-year/>.
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New Jersey State Update: The Impact Of The Pope's Visit On New Jersey
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On September 15, 2015 at 9:38 AM, updated September 15, 2015 at 1:59 PM
Entire roadways, such as Route 1, the New Jersey Turnpike and others, could turn into parking lots, authorities say.
You could witness perhaps the worst traffic jam of your lives when Pope Francis comes to the New York-New-Jersey-Philadelphia area.
On Friday, Governor Christie announced a
State of Emergency in New Jersey will be in place during the Pope's visit and remains in effect through Tuesday, September 29 at 8 a.m.
Steve Shapiro, a spokesman for the DOT, said there could be an additional 50,000 additional cars on the roads when the Pope comes, and when New York Giants play the Washington Redskins at the MetLife Stadium in North Jersey on Thursday, Sept. 24.
The New York Yankees also have a home series at Yankee Stadium from Sept. 24 through the 27th. The Pope will then visit Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27.
The various authorities will be careful to manage traffic that could turn entire roadways - such as Route 1, the New Jersey Turnpike and others - into parking lots.
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Senator Cory Booker: Booker's Emergency Broadcasting Bill Passes Senate
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For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, (D-N.J.) issued the following statement after his bipartisan Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015 passed the U.S. Senate. The legislation designates public broadcasting stations as one of several nonprofits eligible for federal assistance when damaged by storms and other disasters.
"The Senate passage of this bill is an encouraging show of support for public radio and broadcast stations, which provide critical information during natural disasters and emergencies. New Jerseyans and Americans who endured Superstorm Sandy and other disasters know all too well that access to emergency information can be a matter of life or death. The passage of theEmergency Information Improvement Act will ensure that locally licensed stations are eligible for federal disaster relief funding in the event their facilities are impacted by a disaster."
Approximately 98 percent of the American population has access to a public radio or TV signal. Current federal emergency response and relief statutes are ambiguous on whether local public broadcasting stations are eligible for emergency financial assistance when damaged by storms and other disasters. This legislation designates public broadcasting stations as one of several nonprofits eligible for federal assistance when necessary to save lives and protect public property.
Sen. Booker introduced the Emergency Information Improvement Act in April with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). Cosponsors include U.S. Sens.
Cory Gardner (R-CO), John Boozman (R-AR), Pat Roberts (R-Kan), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
The bill text can be viewed here.
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"Booker's Emergency Broadcasting Bill Passes Senate." Http://www.booker.senate.gov/. 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Sept. 2015. <http://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=304>.
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President Obama: Weekly Address: It's Time for Congress To Pass a Responsible Budget
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SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 AT 6:00 AM ET BY AMANDA STONE
Summary:
The President discusses the progress we have made in our economy since the financial crisis seven years ago and the steps to build on that momentum.
In this week's address, the President discussed the significant progress we have made in our economy since the financial crisis seven years ago this week, and the steps we can take to build on that momentum and strengthen the economy for the long term. Thanks to the hard work and resilience of folks around the country, our businesses have created over 13 million jobs over the past 66 straight months, housing is bouncing back, manufacturing is growing again, and the unemployment rate is the lowest it's been in over seven years. We've come a long way from the darkest days of the financial crisis, but there is still more to be done. To keep our economy growing, we must avoid self-inflicted wounds and damaging brinksmanship: that starts with Congress passing a responsible budget before the end of the month. The President has called on Republicans in Congress to stop playing games with our economic progress and instead do its job and pass a budget that reverses the harmful cuts known as the sequester and avoids shutting down the federal government.
Stone, Amanda. "Weekly Address: It's Time for Congress To Pass a Responsible Budget." The White House. The White House, 19 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Sept. 2015. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/09/19/weekly-address-it's-time-congress-pass-responsible-budget>.
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Please have family and friends sign up to receive these important weekly updates. They can sign up by calling (908) 753-3310 and providing their email address.
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