The Plainfield Public Library will conduct a photograh contest reception and awards presentation on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 1 P.M. in the Anne Louise Davis Gallery. The event will also inlcude the exhibit opening, which will feature entries from both professionals and amateurs. The entries total some 80 photographs some of which ahve been submitted by local elementary school students. The event which is made possible through the support of The Friends of the Plainfield Public Library, serves as a conduit for collecting photographs of life in the Queen City. For more in formation, contact the library at 908-757-111 ext. 136.

On October 17, 2009 at the South Orange Middle School, Brooklyn born jazz pianist Randy Weston will be featured in the Giants of Jazz 12. As this year's Jazz Master Honoree, Weston will offer up some of his beloved creations, most probably to include "Hi-Fly." his greatest hit, along with "Saucer Eyes," "Pam's Waltz," and "Little Niles."

Weston credits jazz greats such as Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Art Tatum, as well as Duke Ellington for their inspiration that fed his creative spirit. He offers special accolades for Thelonius Mon's genius. He referred to Monk as "The most original I ever heard."

For more information on the evening performance, call 973-378-7754.

Today is National Doughnut Day and while most of the day has passed, the night is young and so the celebration continues. In recognition Krispy Kreme is making doughnuts available free of charge. Dunkin Donuts is offering a free doughnut with the purchase of a beverage. So, if your looking for that after dinner treat, join in the celebration.

 Gone are the days of calling the neighbor's daughter to babysit. At least, without her having the proper credentials. Childcare on all levels is important. When education on childcare can be obtained, it should be embraced, because it only enhances the provider's knowledge. Case in point, the Red Cross Babysitting Course offered May 16, 2009, 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., in conference rooms A & B at the Somerset Medical Center.

The course is geared for youth ages 11 -15. The objective is to provide them with skill sets essential to provide safe and responsible care in the absence of parents or guardians. The training is designed to foster leadership skills, professionalism, basic care, safety, safe play and first aid. Upon completion the student will receive a certificate and an illustrated book. The class size is limited. Students should bring  lunch and a snack.

The fee is $60. Call 908-685-2814 to register.

Lorraine Hansbury's play that focuses on the experiences of a family in Chicago during the 1950s, comes to Plainfield, New Jersey.

A Raisin In The Sun is being staged for a limited engagement, with direction by award winning filmmaker Alrick Brown.

YWCA of Central New Jersey

232 East Front Street

Plainfield, NJ

Friday, May 8, 2009 at 8:00 pm

Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 2:30 pm

For more information and tickets, call 908-756-3500 ext. 115

South Orange's average residential listing price fell from $641,361 to $595,483, representing a 7.15% reduction in March 2009 over March 2008.

The variance in the number of listings for the same period was negligible, one less this year than last year's 161.

 2009 saw a surge in new listings at 44, up from 31 last year. The average price of a property listed in March 2009 was $573,302 down from the $604,823 of March 2008; representing a 5.21% drop in the average listing price for new  listings.

Fourteen listings went under contract in both years during the month of march. However, the real difference is in the average list price of the properties that went under contract, representing a 3.77% reduction over last year - from $620,064 to $596,671.

Additionally, in March 2009 properties were averaging 74 days on the market before closing, the same as March of 2008.

On the bright side the average sales price was up by 17.76% from $484,071 in 2008 to $570,056 in 2009.

March is the beginning of spring and the real estate selling season. That is why I am starting with March to develop a trend analysis for the absorption rate of residential properties in South Orange. The absorption rate is the number of weeks required to sell the current inventory based upon the present rate of sales. For March 2009, we will use the number of sales in February 2009 as a basis for going forward; that number is four for the month. That averages out to one a week. Therefore, it would take roughly 160 weeks or just over three years to sell all of the active inventory. You can begin to see how critical a role pricing plays in the marketing process, when confronted with such challenges.

County Of Union
Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program
"Tap The Lead Out" 
The County of Union has a Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program, which provides homeowners and landlords an opportunity to apply for grants to help remediate older homes and provide safe and stable dwellings for children and their families.  Grants are available up to $13,500.  The program will assist with resources necessary for detecting lead hazards and finding solutions for good health.  Union county homeowners may qualify for funds by meeting the following criteria:
-Housing unit must have been built before 1978
-Households with children six (6) years of age or younger or women who are pregnant
-Income must be 80% below the Union county Median Household table listed below.
 
Family Size                               Not to Exceed
 
          1                                     $44,800
          2                                     $51,200
          3                                     $57,600
          4                                     $64,000
          5                                     $69,100
          6                                     $74,250
          7                                     $79,350
          8                                     $84,500
 
For further information, call 908-531-4979.