Plainfield's National Night Out: Tuesday, August 2 at City Hall Plaza

As the Chair of the City Council's Recreation Committee, I am truly looking forward to this year's National Night Out, scheduled for this coming Tuesday, August 2nd, beginning at 6:30 pm. For the second year in a row, participating city council members will caravan throughout the city with police personnel, stopping and chatting with residents, block associations, and neighborhood watch groups. The city hall events will begin at 6:30 pm, with the presentation of Community Service Awards to some of our senior citizens. There will be a Kids Zone, safety demonstrations from the Plainfield Fire Division and the Police Division, a car show, live music, and food. Limited quantities of school bags and school supplies will also be given out. As we work to keep our city safe, we can also have fun. I hope to see you there!

Best,

Rebecca

Tonight! Plainfield Outdoor Movie Nights: Disney's "Inside Out" at Seidler Field

This is just a final reminder that tonight's Plainfield Outdoor Movie Nights film is Disney's Inside Out, at Seidler Field (341 Garfield Avenue) at 8:30 pm--dusk, for best viewing.*  Today will be an extremely warm day, but the temperature should be cooled down to about 80 degrees by the time the film begins. Bring your chair, some extra snacks, maybe a little bug spray, and enjoy being outdoors. The sound system and screen are awesome. The image below has the remainder of the schedule of films, which are being screened at a variety of locations throughout the Plainfield community.

*NOTE: Rain Dates are set for the Friday immediately following the original movie night--i.e., the rain date for this Thursday's screening would be Friday, July 22.

Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" at Cedar Brook Park Sunday, July 24

"Malvolio" from Twelfth Night. Photo by Next Stage Ensemble.

This Sunday, July 24, enjoy a treat! Union County’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour of Twelfth Night,* performed by Next Stage Ensemble, arrives in Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Sunday, July 24 at 2 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park is sponsored by by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. I love Twelfth Night--it is very funny, and appealing to all ages. I saw a fantastic production about 8 years ago down in Staunton, VA at the American Shakespeare Center. Click here for more information about Shakespeare in the Park. Bring your snacks and lawn chairs, and come out to enjoy one of Shakespeare's most entertaining comedies!

*Note--this is an abridged version.

American Crucible

History is now/American crucible/May we not perish.

The image above appeared in the August 1, 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly. It is an illustration of the burning of the Colored Orphans Asylum on Fifth Avenue, during the New York City Draft Riots, which occurred from July 13-16, and which remain the bloodiest and deadliest riots in American history. 

Click on the link below for a brief history: Virtual New York - The Draft Riots