Cranford Events Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Cranford Blood Drive Is Looking for Donors

July 30, 2021 by Scott Gleason

According to Cedars-Sinai, patients in hospitals all over the country need a total of 38,000 blood transfusions every single day. Type O-negative blood and Type AB plasma are compatible for all blood types. They are also the most in demand. But donation centers happily accept all blood and plasma types. To help fill in some of the shortage, the Community Center plays host to the Cranford Blood Drive next week and they need donors to sign up as soon as possible.

What: Cranford Blood Drive
Where: Cranford Community Center (220 Walnut Ave)
When: Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021, 1 pm to 7 pm
Contact: (732) 616-8736 (text only) or Schedule Appt Online

Cranford Blood Drive

One pint of blood provides the potential to save up to three lives. Any healthy person aged 17 or older may donate as long as they meet the height/weight restrictions. Sixteen-year-olds may donate as well as long as they obtain written permission from their parent or guardian and meet the height-weight restrictions.

If you feel ill for any reason on the day of donation, please stay home and rest up instead. Otherwise, you will be turned away at the site. Anyone with a cold or flu must wait at least three days after symptoms go away before they may donate blood. If you received a new piercing or tattoo anywhere on your body in the last three months, you cannot donate blood. Certain medications also eliminate you from eligibility to donate. So, please let the donation center know exactly what medications you currently take (including over-the-counter medication).

Schedule an Appointment

While the center welcomes walk-ins for the blood drive, they highly recommend scheduling an appointment instead. Fortunately, they make it very easy to do so. Simply visit the NY Blood Center’s donor portal here. Choose an available appointment time, provide the required info, and you are good to go.

Westfield National Night Out 2021

Do not forget. Next Tuesday (August 3rd), the Westfield Police host Westfield National Night Out 2021. Go to the North Side Train Lot between 6 pm and 9 pm to meet our amazing first responders. Free food, live music, and fun activities await all who visit. Save a life in the afternoon at the blood drive in Cranford. Then meet the people who save lives every day in Westfield at night. That sounds like a completely satisfying day to me.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Westfield Area Fireworks and 4th of July 2021 Celebrations

July 2, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Summertime means that there are so many outdoor activities to enjoy in Westfield right now. The New Jersey Festival Orchestra performed for a live sold-out crowd last weekend. The Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival starts up next week. And this weekend, we celebrate our nation’s independence. Here are some of the places you can see Westfield area fireworks this 4th of July weekend.

Still trying to finalize plans for this holiday weekend? There are several public July 4th celebrations to chose from this weekend, including Westfield area fireworks shows.

Westfield Area Fireworks and 4th of July Celebrations

Cranford

If you find yourself in Cranford tonight (July 2nd), they plan on an early Independence Day fireworks show at Nomahegan Park (1107 Springfield Ave). On July 4th, they host their annual Firecracker 4-Miler and Fun Run at Nomahegan Park. Find out more about the 4-Miler and how you can participate by visiting the Cranford Jaycees’ website here.

Scotch Plains

Scotch Plains celebrates the 4th on the 3rd, with a free Westfield area fireworks show at the Scotch Hills/Shady Rest Country Club. After last year’s disappointing cancelation due to COVID, this beloved event returns this year in full force. If Mother Nature decides to rain on July 3rd (which is a possibility), organizers set a rain check date of July 5th. So, keep an eye on the weather forecast this weekend.

In Westfield

There is power in words. And the words our founding fathers put forth to declare our independence from England in 1776 were powerful indeed. The Westfield Historical Society plans on celebrating Independence Day with a flag ceremony accompanied by the national anthem. Then, listen to a recording of President Kennedy’s reading of the Declaration of Independence. Following that, hear a live reading of the Bill of Rights. Finally, listen to a recitation of President Lincoln’s second inaugural address. Hear his powerful words spoken as he took office a second time, just over a month before his assassination. This is one way to truly appreciate the importance of Independence Day in the United States.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Cranford Scarecrow Stroll 2020 Brings Halloween Fun to Downtown

October 23, 2020 by Scott Gleason

It feels like we lived a decade in the last 7 or 8 months. With a global pandemic going on, many wondered what the end-of-year holidays would look like. We kick off this year’s holiday season with the Cranford Scarecrow Stroll.

Local businesses, organizations, and individuals created some magnificent works of art for this year's Cranford Scarecrow Stroll. Help choose the winner by casting your vote for your favorites. Then, enjoy a cup of free cider at the Spider Cider stand. Enter the Scarecrow Selfie Contest. And try your hand at Halloween Bingo.

Cranford Scarecrow Stroll 2020

When you visit downtown Cranford, you might run across some very interesting public displays of “scarecrow” art. These were created by local businesses and residents. Some of the entrants took the term “scarecrow” figuratively rather than literally. But that just made it more fun.

Organizers need your help to determine a winner. Visit the downtown Cranford offices at Lot 7 next to King Strength and Performance tomorrow, October 24th. Give them a food donation for Cranford Family Care and receive a special Scarecrow Stroll bag. If you find a golden pumpkin inside, you win a special prize. Then, walk around the downtown area anytime between now and November 1st to cast your vote for your favorite displays. Cranford Family Care needs cereal, hot chocolate mix, cookies, fruit cups, juice boxes, toilet paper, and paper products.

But Wait…There’s More

Scarecrow Selfie Contest

While you wander around downtown, looking and judging each entry in the Scarecrow Stroll contest, feel free to take a selfie with the ones you love the most. Then, email the photo to dmc@cranfordnj.org, by the end of the night on October 31st. Make sure you write “Scarecrow Selfie Contest” in the subject line. Winners will be chosen from entries received. Enter as many photos as you’d like. Wear your Halloween costume and receive two entries into the contest per photo.

Spider Cider

Stop at Track 5 Coffee this Saturday, October 24th. Exchange a canned good item for a free cup of apple cider. Come in early and you might also receive a complimentary muffin and a plastic spider ring. But that offer’s only good while supplies last.

Halloween Bingo

Download your very own Bingo card here. Complete the action in a square to mark it. Once you “cover” four squares in a row, you get a “bingo”. Take a photo of your completed bingo card and email it to dmc@cranfordnj.org by Monday, October 26th. Add “Halloween Bingo” to the subject line to make it easier for organizers to identify. The winner receives a gift card to a downtown business.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Cranford Blood Drive Urgently Seeks Donors

August 14, 2020 by Scott Gleason

According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the USA needs blood. One pint of blood potentially benefits three people. Hospitals request Type O blood the most due to its universal interaction with all blood types. Even so, they accept all types of blood for donation, of course. But storage in blood banks runs low. New Jersey Blood Services urgently needs donors to attend its Cranford Blood Drive next Wednesday to help build up their reserves.

What: Cranford Blood Drive
Where: Cranford Community Center (220 Walnut Ave)
When: Wednesday, August 19th, 2020, 2 pm to 8 pm
Contact: Text Genevieve at (732) 672-5281

Cranford Blood Drive

The Cranford Blood Drive takes place from 2 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, August 19th at the Cranford Community Center. They do accept walk-ins. However, organizers prefer that donors make an appointment ahead of time to help with social distancing. To do so, either text Genevieve at (732) 672-5281 with your appointment time request. Or visit the donor portal online here to see what’s available.

Helpful Tips: Make sure you eat a healthy meal before you come in. Eat iron rich foods like spinach, beans, and meat. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and make donating blood easier. Get a good night’s sleep the night before.

All staff at the blood drive will be wearing masks. Donors must wear masks, too. Your temperature will be taken before the donation takes place. Anyone with an elevated temperature will be turned away. No Coronavirus testing will be done on-site. So, if you feel ill or have experienced COVID-19 symptoms anytime within 14 days ahead of the blood drive, please stay home or are on self-quarantine. Social distancing measures will be in place at the time of donation.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019

February 18, 2019 by Scott Gleason

Food, glorious food. Our city offers some of the best food around. In fact, MyCentralJersey.com put Cranford on its list of the five underrated foodie towns in New Jersey late last year. With Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019 set to begin next week, you have the opportunity to sample some of our city’s finest fare prepared by some of our most talented chefs.

What: Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019
Where: 15 Restaurants in Downtown Cranford
When: 5 pm to 10 pm, February 24th to March 1st

Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019

During Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019, the extremely talented chefs at 15 different restaurants in the downtown area put together pre-fixe menus for the public to enjoy. Ambeli was specifically called out by MyCentralNewJersey.com thanks to its connection with the local crowd. But you’ll love the other 14 participating restaurants just as much.

Many of the restaurants require reservations. As you can imagine, they get booked up pretty quickly during this six-day event. So, if you’d like to try out any of these places during Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019, I suggest you call and make your reservation today. Whether you’re revisiting your favorites or want to try something new, make every night “date night” during Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019.

Where to Eat During Cranford Winter Restaurant Week 2019

Ambeli (Greek) – 29 N Union Ave, (908) 272-4111
Emma’s Pizza (Pizza & Cafe) – 101 Union Ave N, (908) 497-1211
Garlic Rose Bistro (Eclectic Menu) – 28 N Ave W, (908) 276-5749
Kilkenny House (Irish) – 112 S Ave E, (908) 276-3414
Le Petit Temptation (Cajun French) – 19 Eastman St, (718) 753-5353
Little Buffalo (Beef & Wings with a Western NY Flair) – 101 N Ave W, (908) 873-7342
Marino’s (Seafood) – 34 N Ave E, (908) 276-1333
Old City Cafe (Middle Eastern & Mediterranean) – 2119 20 N Union Ave, (908) 276-2701
Pairings (Gourmet Comfort Food) – 10 Walnut Ave, (908) 276-4026
Pizzeria Bel Giardino (Pizza, Pasta & More) – 103 Miln St, (908) 272-2500
River & Rail Cantina (Mexican) – 230 S Ave E, (908) 922-4300
Romola’s Seafood & Grille (Mediterranean) – 2 S Ave, (908) 272-0045
Sonny G’s (Pizza & Italian) – 2 S Ave W, (908) 272-4141
Tablespoon Cafe (French American) – 21 N Union Ave, (908)276-1900
Thirsty Turtle (Contemporary) – 1-7 S Ave, (908) 324-4140

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes