News Archive

By Kristen Gottstein After last year’s acclaimed production of The Prom—winner of the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Outstanding Overall Production—Summit High School’s Performing Arts Department is preparing to enchant audiences once again with the inspiring and heartwarming musical Big Fish. Based on the acclaimed film by Tim Burton and the novel by Daniel Wallace, Big Fish is a fantastical, family-friendly musical that celebrates imagination, family, and the power of stories. Big Fish follows Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman whose larger-than-life stories of giants, w…

By Lily Silver Tacoria officially opened its doors last week In Summit, adding a vibrant new dining option to the local food scene and drawing enthusiastic crowds throughout its first days of operation. The Mexican restaurant has already made a strong impression on the community, with customers eager to explore the menu and welcome a new spot in town. Founded in 2016 by Rutgers University alumni, Tacoria is a New Jersey-based chain that has grown in popularity for its modern take on Mexican street food. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including tacos, burrito boxes, M…

A night of stories, performances, and presentations brought our community together while raising $1,500+ for MSK Rare Cancer Research. Thank you to everyone who supported this important cause!

From February 13 to August 23, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey (VACNJ) will showcase three exhibitions that examine various intersections of identity and representation. The exhibitions will feature artists whose work engages with themes such as material culture, Indigenous identity, queerness, and cityscapes, while questioning how narratives and visibility are controlled and reclaimed. Special attention is paid to the various processes of photography as artists demonstrate contemporary approaches to the wet plate, photogravure, and more. The opening reception for all three exhib…

We launched our local magazine and social media company in 2016 and now we are celebrating our10th Anniversary this year! Look for content we have run through the years as we publish our media in 2026! We’re so grateful for our amazing community, advertising partners, and the small businesses in Westfield + Cranford, Your stories inspire us, and your support keeps us thriving! Your Stories! Your Photos! Your Community! Onward Excelsior! Local Media NJ

The Theater Project is thrilled to announce the launch of its acting and improv classes for tweens and teens in Union and Cranford. These classes are designed to build confidence in young people and expose them to the fun and excitement of performance and working with others. With over 30 years of experience, The Theater Project continues to offer affordable programming to the community. The new classes are part of the organization’s mission of engaging young people in the performing arts and nurturing the next generation of theatergoers and artists. “Our classes provide a welcoming p…

Spring is on its way—and the sap is flowing! Reeves-Reed Arboretum invites families and nature lovers of all ages to celebrate one of the sweetest signs of the season at their annual Maple Sugaring Fest on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Ever wondered how tree sap turns into syrup for your pancakes? (Hint: it takes a LOT of sap – about 40 gallons to make just one gallon of syrup!) During this fun-filled afternoon, guests will discover how maple trees wake up from winter, why chilly nights and sunny days are perfect for sap-collecting, and how people have been making mapl…

Westfield High School’s boys hockey team rolled to an 8-0 victory over Cranford on Dec. 17, highlighted by a milestone performance from senior Andrew Lisnock on Senior Night. Lisnock (No. 28) recorded a hat trick and added two assists for five points to lead the Blue Devils. With the outburst, he surpassed the 100-point mark for his high school career, a significant achievement for the senior. Senior Troy Conover earned the win in goal as Westfield controlled play throughout. Conover and fellow goaltender Matthew Grillon combined to stop all Cranford shots, preserving the shutout. …

The Union County St. Patrick’s Day Committee and 2026 Parade Grand Marshal Kerry Schardien-Ricci have announced the dedication of this year’s parade to People with Disabilities. Schardien-Ricci of Scotch Plains, an oncology social worker and long-time volunteer and summer director of Camp Fatima of New Jersey, said, “This dedication will shine new light on the important work performed by Union County groups and other New Jersey organizations in our communities to provide opportunities and services for inclusion and accessibility.” “This year’s parade will celebrate people of all abil…