J uly 2014 IN REVIEW
On July 24, students from Downtown Clifton’s ATC Studios performed with sabers as fair maidens awaited on the lawn of Lambert Castle on Valley Rd. in ‘Selections, Scenes, Music & Mayhem’ from Shakespeare’s plays. For more details and photos, go to atcstudios.org.
The Friends of the Clifton Library launched Musical Mondays to showcase Clifton’s musically talented youth. Pictured are Ethan DeRose-Travia, Jen Marie Chie and Tyler Fengya at the July event at the Main Library on Piaget Ave.
Clifton celebrated our nation’s Independence with an all-day picnic on July 5 in Main Memorial Park. The annual event offers low-cost entertainments, dozens of vendors and plenty of family-oriented activities. The evening concludes with a concert by the Clifton Community Band and one of the region’s largest fireworks display at dusk. The Boathouse Cafe in Third Ward Park hosted its premiere art exhibition on July 18. Cliftonite Jennifer Romanek is The Boathouse’s curator and inspired a series of creative endeavors including karaoke nights, poetry readings and open mike. The cafe opened in May. 34 January 2015 • Clifton Merchant
VFW 7165 held a ceremony on July 16 at 3 pm to lower the flag to half-staff in front of their Valley Rd. lodge to honor the memory of Jersey City Police Officer Melvin Santiago. The 23-year-old rookie officer pictured at inset was killed on July 13 by a man who moments earlier said “watch the news later. I’m going to be famous.” Lawrence Campbell then opened fire on Santiago and his partner when they arrived at the Walgreens at Communipaw Ave. and Kennedy Blvd., killing Santiago. Led by their Honor Guard, the members of 7165 said the flag will remain at half-staff until Santiago’s funeral on July 18.