National Night Out in Plainfield: Tuesday, August 7 at City Hall Plaza

Join your neighbors for National Night Out this coming Tuesday, August 7, at Plainfield's City Hall Plaza, 515 Watchung Avenue, starting at 6:30 pm. Partly sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the evening's festivities will include music, food, safety tips from our public safety professionals, and a giveaway of book bags and school supplies (first come, first serve). Have an event on your own block, or come to Plainfield City Hall for the festivities. I look forward to seeing you there! For more on National Night Out, click here.

Donations Needed: Book Bag Drive for National Night Out

This year, Plainfield Action Services is collecting school supplies and book bags for distribution to Plainfield's school age children on National Night Out (Tuesday, August 7). The Book Bag Drive donations are being collected in the office of Plainfield Action Services, located in the City Hall Annex at 510 Watchung Avenue (1st Floor). The deadline for donations is Wednesday, August 1st. For more information on how you can help, call Plainfield Action Services at (908) 753-3519.

Delta Academy Applications Now Available! Deadline: September 1

Applications are now available for Catching the Dreams of Tomorrow, Preparing Young Women for the 21st Century: The Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, a national mentoring program of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The program is being offered in our area by Central Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and it provides adolescent girls (ages 11-14: grades 6 - 8) with an opportunity to explore careers in STEM-related careers. In addition, the program offers leadership training, community service involvement, field trips, and character building to prepare these future leaders for success. The deadline for applications to be submitted is Saturday, September 1, 2018. Girls in Middlesex, Union, and Somerset Counties are strongly encouraged to apply for this enriching and rewarding experience. Click on this link, Delta Academy, for more info about this life-changing program! 

NOTE: CROSS-POSTED ON FREEHOLDER BLOG.

Thursday Night at Seidler Field: Academy Award-Winning "Coco!"

On Thursday, July 26, the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation will close out its summer film series with a screening of the Academy Award-winning film, Coco, at Siedler Field (300-354 Netherwood Avenue). The film begins at dusk. Bring the kids, bring a lawn chair, and bring some liquid refreshment to stay hydrated! Next up for "Thursdays in the City" is the Summer Concert Series on August 9, beginning with the Rhythm Review Dance Party at City Hall Plaza. Those of you who came out to dance last year will remember what a blast it was! See the flier below for the other concerts, all of which will take place at City Hall Plaza. For more information, call the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation at (908) 753-3097.

FREE Shakespeare This Sunday, July 22 at the Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Brook Park: "Something Shakespeare This Way Comes"

"Shakespeare Gumbo," performed by the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ's Shrew Mechanicals Troupe.

This Sunday, July 22 at 12:30 PM, Shakespeare lovers can get their final taste of "Shakespeare Gumbo" at this summer's free matinee of Shakespeare in the Park with "Something Shakespeare This Way Comes" at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Performed by the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Shrew Mechanicals Troupe, this year's Shakespeare "medley" offers audiences a true taste of the Bard, with selections from several famous works. So, head over to the Shakespeare Garden area with your lawn chair and your picnic meal, and enjoy an afternoon of Shakespeare! 

NOTE: The previous performances took place in Linden, where Freeholder Chris Hudak and I welcomed the audience to the opening performance at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade in Linden, and in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

For the bonus point, from what play does the line "Something wicked this way comes" originate? The answer is below:

Thursday Movie Night: "To Sir, With Love" at AristaCare

On Thursday, July 19, the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation will show the film classic To Sir, With Love, starring Sidney Poitier at AristaCare (Front Street at Norwood Terrace). In 1967, when the film was first released, Poitier was the leading box office attraction in Hollywood. The film begins at dusk. Bring the kids, bring a lawn chair, and bring some liquid refreshment to stay hydrated! See the flier below for all the films, which are being screened at various places around the city! For more information, call the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation at (908) 753-3097.

Recruitment: Construction Trades Pre-Apprentice Opportunity in Plainfield

On Monday, July 23 at 6:00 PM at Plainfield City Hall (515 Watchung Avenue), the Elizabeth Development Company will lead a recruitment session for those interested in learning a construction trade. This opportunity is specifically designed to increase the presence of people of color and women (of all colors) in the construction industry. According to their flier (below), they will be offering FREE CLASSES: pre-testing, training, and placement. If you are interested in this opportunity, be sure to attend this session. Light refreshments will be served. Don't miss out!

Thursday: The LEGO Ninjago Movie at Hannah Atkins Playground

This Thursday, July 12, the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation will show The LEGO Ninajo Movie at Hannah Atkins Playground (508-52 West Third Street). The film begins at dusk. Bring the kids, bring a lawn chair, and bring some liquid refreshment to stay hydrated! See the flier below for all the films, which are being screened at various places around the city! For more information, call the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation at (908) 753-3097.

Tonight at Rushmore Field! "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle"

Once again, the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation will play host to "Thursdays in the City: Movie Nights," starting this evening (Thursday, July 5). Tonight's film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, will begin at dusk at Rushmore Field (1401-1503 West Third Street). Free popcorn will be served, freshly popped, so bring a lawn chair and some liquid refreshment to stay hydrated! See the flier below for all the films, which are being screened at various places around the city. For more information, call the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation at (908) 753-3097.

Relax Today, Grind Tomorrow--Happy Fourth of July!

Enjoy the Fourth of July Festivities--the parade, and then the concert in Cedar Brook Park at 5:00 PM, followed by the fireworks display at 9:00 PM. Bring a lawn chair and plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated!

Have a relaxing holiday--today, we chill...tomorrow, we grind!

 

Free Summer Food Service Program at Three Plainfield Sites: Hannah Atkins Playground, Rushmore Playground, & Seidler Field

The Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation kicked off the Summer Food Service Program this past week, providing free summer meals to children (18 and under) at three sites: Hannah Atkins Playground, Rushmore Playground, and Seidler Field. This federal program, administered in New Jersey by the Department of Agriculture, serves nutritious meals at sites located in low-income areas, where, according to the USDA, "... at least half of the children come from families with incomes at or below 85 percent of the Federal poverty level." The local program is coordinated by Ashley Davis. The summer meals (Snack at 3:00 PM and Dinner at 6:00 PM) are served on Monday through Friday. Last year, over 50,000 meals were served in our parks--the hope is to exceed that outstanding number this year.
 
The program, in partnership with the Plainfield Public School District, will run through August 17. For more information, contact the Division of Parks and Recreation at (908) 753-3097. Help spread the word to ensure that all children in Plainfield have healthy, nutritious food during these hot summer days!