The Sky is Falling!

Well, actually it was kitchen ceiling that fell, making an ungodly mess and disrupting our daily routines. The new owner of the building responded quickly, but we are in for another day or so of not being able to use the kitchen.

How bad was it? Ask the cat, who cowered under a skirted chair while workers ripped out a large section of the ceiling, fixed a pipe and promised to put everything right later today.

The news from the outer world was not so hot either Wednesday. The school board meeting sounded like more of the same confusion that existed before the election and the notion of a gang war in the West End was guaranteed to garner more "bad news" headlines for the city.

Amidst all the disarray, I found myself speaking on the radio on behalf of the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, which is hosting a forum tonight on the issue of gang violence. I had called the station's number mainly to verify it for someone who wanted to know how to contact WKMB, but then was asked to say a few words on air. There will be another speaker on the subject of the forum on a show that begins at 11:30 a.m. today, I am told. Harvest Radio is at 1070 AM on the dial, if you have a chance to listen.

"Project Hope: Addressing Teen Violence in Plainfield" is a community forum sponsored by a coalition of churches and community organizations. It will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the church, 724 Park Avenue, with parking in Municipal Lot 7 off Park Avenue. Terrance Davis, Security Officer for the Plainfield Public Schools will moderate. Panel members include J.M. Benjamin, Plainfield author; Larry Brown of the NJ State Gang Investigating Unit; and Yvonne Watts, Coordinator Training-Support Services for the Plainfield Public Schools.

A ray of hope is certainly something the city needs right now. If you are able, consider attending this forum.

--Bernice Paglia