Cranford is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Tom Kean, Jr. As part of our “Meet Your Elected Officials” series, Cranford Radio spoke with the senator at his Westfield legislative office.
Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr.
State Senator Tom Kean, Jr.
Monthly Archives: March 2014
Cranford Clergy: Rev. Alfred E. Brown, Jr. – First Baptist Church
As we continue our series of profiles of Cranford clergy, we visit with Rev. Alfred E. Brown, Jr., pastor of the First Baptist Church at 100 High Street. Both the church and Reverend Brown have a long history in Cranford, as he shares with us in this interview.
Rev. Alfred E. Brown, Jr.
Save Our Reservation
One thing almost everyone agrees with is that flooding of the Rahway River is a major problem. The US Army Corps of Engineers will be presenting the results of their economic study of flood mitigation measures on Monday, March 31. One of the alternatives being considered is a dam in the South Mountain Reservation that would contain water along the West Branch of the Rahway River. Save Our Reservation opposes the dam and I spoke with a leader of the group and a former mayor of Maplewood, Fred Profeta, to learn more.
Fred Profeta
Grand Opening: Bento Express
It’s been a little over a month since Bento Express opened its doors at 41 North Ave. East. The grand opening is Saturday, March 22 between noon and 3 pm and the public is invited to sample their food. Richard Lo is the owner and shortly before the official ribbon-cutting he talked about his new restaurant.
Michael & Richard Lo
Cranford Business Profile: Nuts.com
They had their start on Mulberry Street in Newark in the 1920s. Today, the former Newark Nut Company is Nuts.com and located in Cranford. Don Smith spoke with Sandy Braverman, a son of the founder, to learn more about this unique Cranford business located in the business park at 125 Moen Street.
Sandy Braverman
Mulberry Street sign from Newark
Congressman Leonard Lance (R-NJ)
One of the goals of Cranford Radio is to introduce you to, and let you hear directly from, the elected officials who serve Cranford. Rep. Leonard Lance serves the 7th Congressional District, which includes Cranford. Cranford Radio had the opportunity to speak with the congressman in his Westfield district office Tuesday.
Interview with Congressman Lance
Rep. Leonard Lance
Cranford Band, Nothing Personal, Set to Debut First Album
Six current or former Cranford High School students have come together to form Nothing Personal. The band is already getting positive reviews and will be debuting their first album March 29 at The Crossroads in Garwood. Cranford Radio talked to band members Geddy Warner, Nick Durant, Luke Langone, Vienna Stivala, Oliver Berglas and Alex Codella to learn more about their music and their plans. We start off by listening to a sample of Along We Go from their debut album, To Whom It May Concern.
Interview with Nothing Personal
Vote for Nothing Personal on Warped Tours Battle of the Bands
Cranford Business Profile: Furever Friends
One of the newer businesses in downtown Cranford is Furever Friends, a dog grooming service at 25 North Avenue West. The shop is owned by Walter Acuna and his wife, Jennifer Acuna-Alfaro. Jennifer was in the midst of grooming a dog when we chatted about the business.
Jennifer Acuna-Alfaro
UCEDC: A Resource for New Jersey Small Businesses
Starting and running a small business is a challenge, fortunately there are places businesspeople can turn to for information, financing and more. The UCEDC is a Cranford-based non-profit economic development corporation that’s been helping small businesses since 1977. Cranford Radio spoke with Ellen McHenry and Erich Peter of the UCEDC to learn more about the organization and what it offers.
Ellen McHenry, Senior Director of Financial Programs
Erich Peter, Director of Training & Technical Assistance
Cranford Business Profile: Vanilla Bean Creamery
After a winter like the one we’ve been going through it seems almost everyone is looking forward to warmer temperatures. As the snow continues to melt thoughts of ice cream dance in our heads and that means visits to the Cranford Vanilla Bean Creamery. April 14 will mark the fourth anniversary the store at 22 North Avenue, West in Downtown Cranford has been owned by Ralph Kopelman. Cranford Radio’s Don Smith took advantage of slower winter patronage to sit down with Ralph and talk about the store and ice cream making.
Ralph Kopelman
Cranford Radio 