Cranford Calendar
Wednesday, February 13 at 7:00 pm in the Cranford Community Center. Black baseball in America is a multifaceted narrative, including pioneers like Jackie Robinson and the rich relationships in “Blackball” during America’s era of segregation, across the nation and in New Jersey. An account by a veteran Negro Leaguer, a rendition of the baseball poem “KC at the Bat” by its author, Kevin Kane, and documentary excerpts will further participants’ understanding. Presented by Dr. Lawrence Hogan, Ph.D, professor emeritus of history at Union County College.
Celebrating our Grand Welcoming at Renzo Gracie Garwood
Join us Sunday, February 24th 8am-4pm for free classes, chair massages, card readings, giveaways & raffles sponsored by local businesses.
We recommend you reserve your spot for flight classes as space is limited using the link below.
https://tinyurl.com/youmetrapeze
Leap into the world of Peruvian history and tradition with Rosa Carahuallanqui and the PeruincaFolk Performing Arts School. Learn how Amazon, Andean, Andalusian and African cultures influenced the ancient Inca traditions of Peru in an interactive workshop for the entire community. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.
Rosa Carhuallanqui was born in Huancayo, Peru, and studied anthropology at the National University of Central Peru. After receiving her teaching degree in 1996, Rosa was hired by the Ministry of Education as part of a major pilot project to include folklore in the Peruvian educational system. She came to the United States in 1999 at the invitation of Rutgers University. She was recognized in 2005 by El Diario La Prensa of New York, the largest and oldest Spanish-language daily newspaper in the United States, as one of its Outstanding Latino Women of Year for her work in education. She is the author of the book Pastores de Altura: Magia, Ritos y Danzas (Shepherds of the Highlands, Magic, Rites and Dances).
Rosa is the founder of PeruincaFolk Performing Arts School, a New Jersey/New York-based group specializing in Peruvian traditions and cultures. Their mission is “to preserve and instill appreciation for their cultural legacy through the international language of music and dance.” Weaving together music, stories and motion, PeruincaFolk’s dances strive to transport audiences of all ages to the Andes, the coast, and the Amazon of Peru.
No registration is required for this free event. The Cranford Community Center is accessible to all.
Jerry Zaro, the New Jersey Trustee to the Gateway Development Program, will discuss and update the public about the project. NJ Transit officials invited
CRANFORD, NJ—-The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition (RVRC), a rail-advocacy group representing 1.7 million residents in four counties along NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Rail line, will sponsor a free presentation on the Gateway Project, beginning at 7:00 p.m, Tuesday, March 26th at the Cranford Community Center.
“It cannot be understated: the Gateway Project, and related work, which has been long postponed, comprise the most significant economic impact project in the nation. It is urgent to New Jersey, the northeast, and in fact the entire country, that Federal funding be secured and the project proceeds expeditiously,” said Bruce Bergen, a former Union County Freeholder who is the Chairman of the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition. “The regional economy would be dealt a catastrophic blow if one of the two existing tunnels, which have seriously deteriorated, fails or is forced to close for a substantial period of time for repairs.”
All are welcome to attend the free event. The Cranford Community Center is located at 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford, with onsite parking.
Jerry Zaro, an attorney with Sills, Cummis and Gross P.C. in Newark, serves as Chairman of the Gateway Development Corporation (GDC) and will be the featured speaker. The GDC oversees the Gateway Project, the multibillion-dollar infrastructure initiative to build new rail tunnels under the Hudson River, rehabilitate the already-existing 108-year-old tunnels (which were badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy), build a new Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River, expand New York’s Penn Station, and related projects. It would be the largest current infrastructure project in the United States.
Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp noted: “Reliable train service, including a one-seat ride to New York, is key to the continued revitalization of New Jersey’s urban centers, and the economic well-being of our residents and businesses. Funding must be secured to complete these initiatives, rebuild our roads and bridges and keep our cities moving forward.” Plainfield has two train stations on the Raritan Valley Rail line.
Peter Palmer, former Somerset County Freeholder, and current RVRC Trustee said that commuters continue to suffer from delays and cancelations from an over-burdened and antiquated train system in dire need of upgrades. Somerset County has five train stations along the Raritan Valley Rail line.
“Our residents who rely on train service are being pushed to their limits,” said Palmer. “Further delay in making desperately-needed improvements to train service will damage regional economic development. The Rahway Rail Coalition will continue to advocate as strongly as possible on their behalf.
Bette Jane Kowalski, Chair of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and an RVRC Trustee, is promoting Union County’s efforts on the Raritan Valley Rail Coalition this year as part of the Board’s 2019 initiatives. Union County has eight stations on the Raritan Valley line, including one in Cranford, where Freeholder Kowalski resides.
“We have heard from many residents who have been personally impacted by the delays and cancellations,” said Freeholder Kowalski. “We will continue to make our voices heard for the completion of the Gateway Project and the restoration of the one-seat ride for direct service to New York.”
Hunterdon County Freeholder J. Matthew Holt, an RVRC Trustee, stated: “Both the Gateway Project and restoration of the one-seat ride on the Raritan Valley rail are crucial to the economic vitality of our region. Making these improvements would not only make the commute better, but bring economic benefits to the region—including increased home values, and increased commerce.” There are four train stations along the Raritan Valley rail line in Hunterdon County.
George Ververides, Director of County Planning for Middlesex County, and RVRC Trustee said: “Middlesex County strongly supports the completion of the Gateway Project and the restoration of the one-seat ride on the Raritan Valley Rail line. Transit delays are impacting productivity and the economy. It is also a public safety issue and major quality of life issue as well for residents who commute.”
The Gateway Project improvements are in the heart of the Northeast Corridor, the most heavily used passenger train line in the United States, which accounts for 20 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). It’s estimated that 10 percent of U.S. GDP depends on transit between New York and New Jersey alone.
The Northeast Corridor carries more than 800,000 passengers in 2,000 trains daily across eight states and Washington D.C. A 2016 Amtrak report found that implementation of the full Gateway project could generate $3.87-worth of economic benefits for every $1 spent.
The Raritan Valley Rail Coalition, which represents Union, Somerset, Middlesex and Hunterdon Counties, was created nearly two decades ago to campaign for a one-seat ride on the Raritan Valley Line, which has 23,500 passengers daily, making it NJ Transit’s third most-used rail line. While track connectivity existed into New York, Raritan Valley riders always had to get off in Newark and switch trains because their diesel engines were not allowed into the tunnels under the Hudson River.
That changed in 2014 when NJ Transit began using dual-mode locomotives that could switch from diesel to electric power, making it possible to have a direct ride into New York City. NJ Transit introduced limited, one-seat ride service during off-peak hours in January 2015, but then suspended it last year.
The Coalition, which also consists of a Mayors’ Alliance and of County and State officials, can be reached on email at [email protected], is on the web at raritanvalleyrail.com/, on Facebook at facebook.com/raritanvalleyrail/, and Twitter at twitter.com/rvrailcoalition.
Dr. Daisy Century: Wisdom of Sojourner Truth
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
Dr. Daisy Century, a historical interpreter, educator, actor, author and singer, brings to life one of the world’s most influential and accomplished women. Escaping the brutality of slavery in 1826, Isabella Baumfree took on the name Sojourner Truth and began her travels as a preacher. Believing the causes of women’s rights and abolition to be intertwined and equally important, Truth spoke publicly on suffrage, and gave her most significant speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention in 1851. Don’t miss Dr. Century’s commanding performance as an American icon.
Dr. Century performs historical interpretations of the lives of brilliant and influential women, including Harriet Tubman, Bessie Coleman and Madam C.J. Walker. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Claflin University, a Masters in Science Education from South Carolina State University and an Ed.D from Temple University. A natural teacher and talented actor, Dr. Century has inspired students in the Philadelphia School System for over twenty years with her historically accurate performances. She also writes under the name Emily Nelson, and has published two books: Belle and Ms. Emmaline’s Little Book of Wit and Wisdom.
No registration is required for this free event.
This is a free donation based event:
YAASSSSSS!!!!!! Warm weather is coming our way and we’re kicking off the summer! ROCK YOGA, BEER & BURGERS!!! (Non-alcoholic & veggie options included.) Rock out with Kelly in class at 6 pm and stick around as we BBQ out on the patio!
Just want to do class, no prob! Can’t make it to class? No biggie!
Pop in to hang with us down by the river! Bring yourself, bring your love, bring your family, bring your favorite brew, bring a side dish/salad/dessert for the community table! Register online for class or let us know you’re coming! Additional $10 for BBQ at the door.
In the spirit of the National Memorial Day Program, the Cranford Memorial Day Committee will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2019. Members of the Governing body of Garwood will participate in the parade and all residents are encouraged to attend.
The parade will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, New Jersey. Marching will start at 9 a.m. The parade will finish with services at approximately 10 a.m. at Memorial Park on Springfield Avenue. In case of inclement weather, services only will be held at the Community Center.
Farm Yoga Event: A Yoga Practice in the Fields at Dreyer Farms
with Gina Pachkowski
Thursday, May 30th – 6:30-8:30 pm
Join Alluem Yoga at Dreyer Farms for an evening of yoga and farm fresh food to get you grounded and back to the earth! Breathe the fresh air in a yoga class with Gina, then enjoy a taste from the delicious Dreyer Farms! There will be a light bite to eat, some sweet treats, and juice samples with Fresh Press Juice Co.!! All are welcome! Register here to save your spot!
Pay at the farm (831 Springfield Ave, Cranford) upon arrival – $25 per person – cash or check.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Oceanic Global.
Learn more at the event or visit:
www.oceanic.global/jake-price/
Bring your own mat & blanket/towel to place under your mat. We’ll be in the dirt, but don’t worry…you’ll also be receiving free soap samples from Forevergreen so you can clean yourself up later!
Yoga on the Green with Gina Pachkowski
Come support the Westfield High School Girls Ice Hockey Team!
Please join us for our third annual Yoga on the Green at Shackamaxon Country Club! All levels welcome to this course side class with Gina Caruso Pachkowski! Overlook the rolling greens under the big blue sky! Visit the Westfield High School Girls Ice Hockey team website to purchase tickets, event-related tank tops, money-saving packages, and an optional poolside dinner following Yoga. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $30, but we are encouraging everyone to buy their tickets in advance. We expect to sell out! All ages welcome. Dinner registration will be unavailable after 9 pm on May 20th. Online yoga registration will be unavailable after 9 pm on June 4th. In person registration for yoga only will still be available at the event on Wednesday. (100 Tillinghast Turn, Scotch Plains) Bring a mat!
*Rain date June 6th
Te Register, visit:
www.westfieldhighschoolgirlsicehockey.com
Visit the western frontier with RIDE, a concert of original music inspired by vocalist and guitarist Marc Berger’s lifelong love affair with the American West. RIDE captures the vastness and romance of the West while exploring its deep roots in the American psyche. Marc’s life has been about pursuing twin passions: creating and recording his American roots songs and exploring remote areas of the desert and mountain West. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library.
After signing his first publishing contract while in law school, Marc Berger fronted rock bands and performed regularly in New York City clubs like CBGB, Wetlands, and The Knitting Factory. All through this period, he’d find ways to get into the West, picking up details from fellow wilderness junkies about off the beaten path locales and filing them away for future reference. On one of these trips, he became intrigued by the cover of The Big It, a book of short stories by A.B. Guthrie he found on a revolving paperback rack in a Navajo reservation trading post. It got him thinking about using his travels to create a set of songs in the cultural tradition of writers like Guthrie and visual artists like John Ford and Frederick Remington. With co-producer Mike Ricciardi, he recorded RIDE, ten cinematic recordings reflecting his romantic connection to the American West and exploring the value of its myths to contemporary culture.
Marc’s performed at Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival and The Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals and has opened shows for Bob Dylan and other national acts. His song The Last One was a staple of Richie Havens’ concerts for years and has been quoted in the NY Times and featured on The CBS Evening News. For more information, please visit http://www.marcbergermusic.com
No registration is required for this free event. The Cranford Community Center is located at 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016, and is accessible to all. For more information about the Cranford Public Library, visit www.cranfordlibrary.org.
SAVE THE DATE!!!!
Mark your calendars! We’re hitting the streets and it’s the best party of the summer!!!! Join Gina and the Alluem Street Team for this unique experience of yoga, music and community on a hot summer night! This event is FREE and open to all! No need to pre-register! Just show up that day! Practice! Sample! Shop!
Post Office Plaza (Eastman St. & Miln St.).
Road will be closing at 5:30pm – class at 6:00pm!
More details and sponsors to come!
Rain Date August 23rd.
In the Cranford Community Center on Saturday, September 7 at 2:00 pm, the Theater Project will present a staged, script-in-hand reading of Death Club, a comedy by playwright and screenwriter Stephanie Griffin. What happens when the patriarch of the Lenora family funeral parlor dies? The social life of the neighborhood elders and the future of the remaining Lenora family is thrown into disarray. The Theater Project is an acclaimed professional theater group and the winner of two NJ Tony Awards. Admission is free and all are welcome.
DEATH CLUB
A comedy by Stephanie Griffin
What happens when the patriarch of the Lenora family funeral parlor dies? The social life of the neighborhood elders and the future of the remaining Lenora family is thrown into disarray.
The play opens in the viewing room of the Lenora Funeral Parlor. Theresa is preparing the body of her father – in – law – for viewing. His death puts in motion a spiral for his son, his daughter – in – law and 2 neighborhood regulars mourners. If they sell the funeral parlor, will the mourners have to resort to Bingo?
Stephanie Griffin is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, with works performed across the metropolitan area, (including NJ Repertory, Judson Church, Hoboken Theatre Festival, Dixon Place, Gallery Players) and published by Smith & Kraus. She is a member of the Dramatist’s Guild, ICWP, Theater Project & PDC.
Monday evening Cranford is playing host to a public presentation by the Regional Plan Association on their report, “A Preventable Crisis, The Economic and Human Costs of a Hudson River Rail Tunnel Shutdown.” It starts at 6:30 and will be held in the Community Center.
The Cranford Recreation & Parks Department would like to announce that registration for Fall AND Winter programs begins on Tuesday,
September 10th, at 9:00am. Our Fall/Winter brochure, which lists all programs, will be mailed to Cranford residents and may also be viewed
on line at www.cranfordnj.org/recreation-parks or by following us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CranfordRecreationAndParks and/or
Instagram at www.instagram.com/CranfordRecreationAndParks. All programs are for Cranford residents only. We are strongly encouraging registration for all classes to be done online through Community Pass. Online registration will enable you to register 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to make payment by credit card and to receive the latest program updates as they occur through your account. You may access your existing account or create a new accounts by visiting https://register.communitypass.net/cranford. If you would like assistance to register online or have any other questions, please stop by the Recreation Department or call (908) 709-7283.
Calling all Cranford Tourologists to spend the day on a spectacular walking tour to
Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate, Sleepy Hollow, NY
A majestic paradise with sweeping river views!
Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil. His business acumen made him, in his day, the richest man in America. Now a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this extraordinary landmark has been continuously and meticulously maintained for more than 100 years.
Your Classic Tour includes the main floor of the house, art galleries, inner garden, golf room and coach barn. 2 hours 15 minutes including the shuttle bus ride. Round trip transportation, the Classic Tour and lunch included.
Fee PP $88 (Limited space available)
Day Tours are organized by Cranford Recreation Staff.
*Departure from Orange Avenue Pool Parking Lot-8:00 AM.
Notes: We recommend all Kykuit tours for ages 10 and up. They are not recommended for ages 5 and under, Strollers and backpack carriers are not permitted inside the house, but can be stored in the free lockers provided at the Kykuit Visitor Center at Philipsburg Manor. Neither the Classic Tour nor the Landmark Tour is wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the terrain. Historic Hudson Valley events are held rain or shine. All attendees must sign waiver.
______________________________
Reservations booked directly through Cranford Recreation Center online or via phone. https://register.communitypass.net/Cranford 908-709-7283