Blinded By The Light?
Is the sun interfering with your screen time? Does glare force you to change rooms during the workday? Protect your interior and regain your focus with custom solar shades. From classic manual pulls to state-of-the-art automated systems, our shades offer seamless UV protection without sacrificing your view. As a family-owned local business for 40 years, we handle everything from complimentary in-home estimates to professional installation.
SOLAR SHADES | ROMAN SHADES | WOVEN SHADES
The Scenic Route
Hello Scotch Plains-Fanwood!
Road Trip! Can you think of any better way to explore? Exploration doesn’t always mean hopping on a plane or checking destinations off a bucket list. Sometimes it’s much simpler — and closer to home. A road trip can take you across the country - or to a nearby town you’ve wanted to check out. Piling into the car with no real destination, just a favorite playlist and the windows cracked open. Imagine "Rosalita" blasting from the speakers inviting you to take the scenic route instead of the highway. Pulling over for homemade ice cream at a roadside stand you’ve passed a hundred times but never stopped to try. Wandering through a downtown bookstore, discovering a hidden hiking trail, or finally trying that little restaurant everyone keeps talking about.
Some of our favorite memories aren’t carefully planned vacations. It's the spontaneous drives. The “let’s just see where this road goes” moments. The long road trips filled with gas station snacks, coffee refills, questionable singalongs, and conversations that somehow only happen when you’re on the road together.
Exploration has a way of slowing us down enough to notice things we might otherwise miss — the beauty and history of our own communities, the stories behind local businesses, the people who make a town feel like home.
In this issue, we celebrate that spirit of discovery. Maybe it inspires you to plan a weekend getaway. Maybe it encourages you to become a tourist in your own town. Or maybe it simply reminds you to say yes the next time someone asks, “Want to go for a drive?”
Because sometimes the best adventures aren’t about how far you travel. They’re about being open to what you’ll find along the way.
Cheers!
TERRY AZAD & VERONICA KAUTZ, PUBLISHERS
July 2026
PUBLISHER
Veronica Kautz | veronica.kautz@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Terry Azad | terry.azad@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Craig Smith
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Terry Azad, Tahra Wright
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Photos by Craig Smith
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell
city scene
1: Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr welcomes 1874 Coffee Company - Fanwood's newest addition on South Ave. 2: Father Mike of IHM RC Church receives Good Scout Award from community leader Steve Goldberg. 3: Bob and Joanne Gurske have volunteered a combined 70-years to Scotch Plains Rescue Squad. 4: Residents and furry friends alike enjoy the FSP YMCA's Healthy Kid's Day event on April 5: Local families had a blast at the FSP YMCA's Healthy Kid's Day Event on April 6: Prom season kicks off with St. Joe's Junior Prom 7: The beautiful women of AKA Sorority raise awareness during the Mental Health Awareness Fair.
A Season to Explore What's Next
At Ross & Calandrillo, we help individuals and families move forward with confidence through every season of life. Because the future feels different when you know you're not alone. We’re Here for You When It Matters Most.
Summer invites us to explore, reconnect, and imagine what’s ahead. For some families, that means new adventures. For others, it means navigating difficult transitions with clarity and support.
a
and business owner Adam
services.
an evening of bowling
is a champion for the special needs community. 11: Everyone's favorite Blackdrop barista and local photographer takes a break to edit her photography portfolio. 12: The Bianchinos (Out Run Your Fork) host Special Needs Expo with Westfield Mayor Jeremy Berman 13: The EDP and Clean Committees present Mayor Losardo and Councilmember Stamler with a grant. 14: Can Wilma be ANY cuter???
8: RWJ Barnabas Health supports local residents with
wealth of mental health
9: Local BNI members enjoy
at Garwood Lanes in Garwood. 10: Local resident
Sackett
Not Just A Summer Fling
MORE THAN A PLACE. A PURPOSE.
A Summer That Builds More Than Memories.
Summer is a season of possibility—and at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Y, it’s also a time for growth, connection, and discovery.
Through Y summer camp, kids experience more than fun activities. They build friendships, gain confidence, try new things, and grow in a safe, supportive environment guided by caring counselors. Camp gives children the chance to explore their interests, be themselves, and create memories that last beyond summer.
As a nonprofit committed to inclusion and community, the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA helps ensure every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and belong at camp. Because when kids thrive, communities do too.
“The Y gives my child a summer full of fun, care, and smiles.”
Explore how the Y supports children and families through summer camp and beyond.
business monthly
Kim Berrios Lin Shines in Leading Role in "America"
Local resident and actor-producer Kim Berrios Lin, known for her recurring role in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, steps into the spotlight this festival season! Berrios Lin delivers a powerful performance in "America" - a short film that confronts the realities of schools in America. The film, directed by Laura New, premiered at the Sunscreen Film Festival on May 3rd and will screen at the Jersey Shore Film Festival on June 4th.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood Supports Mental Health Awareness Month
We all know someone that struggles with their mental health. To show support, communities across America recognized Mental Health Awareness month with a variety of events throughout May. Under the leadership of former Mayor, Al Smith, Scotch Plains-Fanwood showed up in droves to fundraise at the wellness fair and walk. Volunteers from the local Interact Club gathered to "Paint the Town Green" with over 75 businesses participating.
My Potential Growth & Development Opens in Scotch Plains
Lauren Marica MS, OTR/L and Marissa Cossolini MS, OTR/L, CAS opened the doors to My Potential located at 1801 E Second Street in Scotch Plains in April. A pediatric therapy clinic offering ABA, OT, speech therapy, PT, and developmental foundations for children 2-6 years old, My Potential is a place "where every child's light finds a way to shine". Visit www.mypotentialkids.com to schedule a free consultation or for more info on this great addition to our community.
Photography by Farbod Azad
250 YEARS OF HISTORYRIGHT AT HOME
EXPLORE THE RICH HISTORY OF THE SCOTCH PLAINS FANWOOD COMMUNITY
This month, Scotch Plains–Fanwood joins communities across the United States in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Our towns hold some of the richest Revolutionary-era history in Union County — but how many of us truly know the stories behind it?
Personally, I didn’t fully appreciate our community’s role in securing America’s independence until my high school son came home from a volunteer event with the SPFHS History Club. Inspired by what he learned, I began exploring the remarkable history right here in our own backyard.
ARTICLE
BY
TERRY AZAD
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
So, in honor of Revolution 250, I offer this abbreviated look at some of Scotch Plains–Fanwood’s historic highlights — and invite you to explore on your own from here.
Shady Rest Country Club
Scotch Plains’ history dates back more than 300 years to its settlement in 1684. Long before European settlers arrived, the area was inhabited by the Raritan tribe of the Lenni Lenape. European exploration began with Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524, followed by Dutch settlers in 1609. By the 1680s, Scottish immigrants led by George Scot established settlements here, giving rise to the name “Scot’s Plains.”
In those early years, Scot’s Plains was part of West Fields (later Westfield). In 1877, the community separated and became Fanwood Township. Then, in 1895, a one-mile section in the center incorporated separately as Fanwood Borough.
Scotch Plains also served as an important backdrop during the American Revolution — most notably during the Battle of Short Hills on June 26, 1777. Despite its name, the battle did not occur in present-day Short Hills, but was named for the area’s rolling terrain. General George Washington positioned his troops strategically in the Watchung Mountains, where they could monitor British troop movements. The battle ultimately contributed to the withdrawal of British forces, leaving New Jersey free of a major British occupying force for the first time since 1776.
Today, the Battle of Short Hills Monument stands at the entrance to Ash Brook Golf Course. Erected in 1977 by the Scotch Plains American Revolution Bicentennial Committee, the monument features a replica Revolutionary War cannon atop a stone tower.
SOME OF OUR MOST NOTABLE HISTORIC SITES
The Frazee House
Perhaps the town’s most famous historic landmark, this 18th-century farmhouse is closely tied to both the Revolutionary War and the Battle of Short Hills. According to local legend, Lord Charles Cornwallis and his men stopped at the Betsy Frazee House on Raritan Road after smelling freshly baked bread. When Betsy reportedly told Cornwallis, “I give you this bread in fear, not in love,” he left empty-handed.
The home nearly fell into ruin around 2000 before an extensive restoration effort led by the FanwoodScotch Plains Rotary Club and local preservation groups saved it. Today, it is listed on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
Osborn Cannonball House
Built in the early 1700s, this colonial home earned its nickname after being struck by a stray
CONTINUED >
The Historic Osborn-Cannonball House
The Battle of Short Hills Monument
The Historic Frazee House
Scotch Plains also served as an important backdrop during the American Revolution — most notably during the Battle of Short Hills on June 26, 1777.
cannonball as Washington’s troops retreated from British forces following the Battle of Short Hills.
Today, the home operates as a museum managed by the Historical Society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood. It features period furnishings, colonial construction details, formal gardens, and rotating exhibits on local history. It is considered one of Union County’s best-preserved colonial homes.
Shady Rest Country Club
In 1921, Scotch Plains gained national recognition with the establishment of Shady Rest, believed to be the first Black-owned country club in the United States. Originally built as the Ephraim Tucker farmhouse in the 18th century, the property later became a nationally significant African American cultural and social center.
Shady Rest welcomed legendary performers including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, and Sarah Vaughan. Today, the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Stage House Tavern
Originally erected in 1737 by John Sutton as the Stage House Inn, this building later became both a tavern and the home of Captain Recompense Stanberry. It also served as a stop along the Swift and Sure Stage Line, which connected Philadelphia and New York.
When the stagecoach arrived carrying mail, a miniature cannon would be fired to alert townspeople to collect their letters. During the Revolutionary War, colonial leaders Lord Stirling and General Lafayette reportedly discussed battle plans here. Later, during the Civil War, the tavern became a rallying point for Union recruits.
At the time, travel was largely conducted on horseback along Native American trails, which eventually evolved into wagon roads traveled by stagecoaches and horse-drawn buggies. Those same routes became many of today’s major roadways, including Front Street, Park Avenue, Martine Avenue, Raritan Road, and Westfield Road.
FANWOOD’S RAILROAD ROOTS
Fanwood was officially founded in 1895 around the Central Railroad of New Jersey, which passed through the area during the 1800s. The original train station, built in 1874, still stands today as the oldest surviving train station in Union County and remains the symbolic center of downtown Fanwood.
Now home to the Fanwood Museum and a gathering place for community groups, the station was built in Victorian Carpenter Gothic and Queen Anne style. With its steep gables, decorative trim, Gothic windows, and full-width porch, it remains a classic example of Victorian-era railroad suburb architecture. Preservation efforts funded by the State of New Jersey have helped maintain the historic structure.
It is widely believed that Fanwood was named after journalist Fanny Wood, who wrote glowing accounts of the area’s scenic beauty for leading New York publications, helping attract new residents and investors to the community.
Over 250 years later our Scotch Plains Fanwood community has grown to the vibrant, beautiful place we call home today.
The Fanwood Train Station
Come See Mira Vie!
Mira Vie at Fanwood is located in the center of the quaint town of Fanwood and is within walking distance to the train, post office, restaurants and shops! With individualized plans and purpose-built communities, our uniquely comprehensive professional support services are provided respecting our residents’ independence and integrity.
Living.com
A WORLD OF flavor - close to HOME
Explore global cuisines without leaving town
ARTICLE BY TERRY AZAD
This month, we invite you to explore the world one plate at a time — no passport required. Our community is filled with restaurants serving authentic flavors and traditions from across the globe, from comforting Italian classics and vibrant Mexican fare to fragrant Indian spices, Mediterranean favorites, and fresh Asian dishes. Every local restaurant tells a story through its food, offering a chance to experience different cultures right here in our own backyard. So take the scenic route to dinner, try something new, and support the passionate local owners bringing global flavors home. Adventure, after all, can begin just around the corner.
Here are some of my favorite dishes from local restaurants in the greater Scotch Plains-Fanwood area that fill my heart — and stomach — with the joy of international flavors.
For Greek food, I love Limani Seafood Grill (235 North Avenue West, Westfield). Fresh seafood, garden vegetables, warm pita, and genuinely hospitable service always make it feel like a mini Mediterranean escape.
Now, I LOVE a margarita — especially a spicy margarita. For one of the best in town, visit Maize Cocina & Cocktails (301 North Avenue West, Westfield). Their lively atmosphere, creative sharing plates, and tajín-rimmed cocktails make it a perfect night out with friends.
For a great American burger with endless choices, I head to Bareburger (126 Central Avenue, Westfield). Ironically, this burger spot is where I almost always order a salad. Because who doesn’t love a sunny side egg on their salad? Their fresh ingredients, friendly service, and craft cocktails make it one of my go-to casual dinner spots.
Fresh fish from Limani
Cheers with a Maize Margarita
A newer addition to the local dining scene is Masalamex (115 Quimby Street, Westfield). A fusion of Indian and Mexican flavors you never knew you needed until you try one of their signature blended bowls. They even have naan tacos. Naan Tacos!
For kosher comfort food, I visit Deli King (30 Clarkton Drive, Clark). Their towering pastrami sandwiches and classic Jewish specialties are legendary for good reason.
My go to for comfort food, however, is always Thai. 8 Thai Cuisine (14 Eastman Street, Cranford) serves my favorite Tom Kha Kai soup around — creamy coconut milk, mushrooms, cilantro, and just the right balance of spice.
Salads and burgers at Bareburger
Piled-high pastrami from Deli King
Tom Kha Kai soup - for the soul!
For Japanese comfort food, I love Sum Ramen (125 Quimby Street, Westfield). Their hearty ramen bowls, filled with rich broth, noodles, pork belly, or vegan options, were my ultimate cold-weather comfort meal this winter.
And for dessert, you can never go wrong with Bovella's Pastry Shoppe in Westfield (101 East Broad Street) or Mountainside (1149 Route 22 East). Their French macaroons and Italian specialty pastries are the perfect sweet ending to any culinary journey. Bon Appetit!
Sum Ramen is comfort in a bowl
Signature blended bowls from Masalamex
Macaroons from Bovellas
From Ski Trip To Road Trip
Exploring Denver, Golden, and Breckenridge beyond the slopes
Like many travelers heading to Colorado this winter, we arrived with visions of powdery slopes, hot toddies by the fire, and days spent snowboarding through fresh mountain snow. But Mother Nature had other plans. With unusually mild temperatures and limited snowfall, our ski vacation quickly transformed into something unexpected — and ultimately, unforgettable. Instead of focusing on the mountains, we explored the towns and landscapes that make Colorado special year-round. Denver became our launching point, offering great restaurants, walkable neighborhoods, and stunning mountain views in nearly every direction. From there, we headed west to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater and onto Golden, a charming town nestled against the foothills. With its historic
ARTICLE BY TERRY AZAD
Golden Colorado
downtown, scenic trails, and laid-back atmosphere, Golden felt like the perfect blend of Old West character and modern Colorado culture.
We also spent time in Breckenridge, where the lack of snow couldn’t diminish the beauty of the town itself. Colorful storefronts, cozy cafés, local boutiques, and mountain scenery made it easy to see why visitors love it there in every season. We traded ski lifts for long walks, scenic drives, and afternoons discovering local shops and restaurants. A standout for us was The Horseshoe Restaurant. Every bite of food was top notch and our server Cassie made us feel like regulars instead of tourists. We took the town gondola up to the main peak with our dog Charlie and took in the towering evergreens and panoramic views. Every part of trip included long car rides that were not rushed, rather relished. With good music playing and no strict itinerary to follow, the journey itself became part of the vacation.
Colorado may not have delivered the ski trip we planned, but it gave us something just as valuable: the chance to explore, adapt, and discover new experiences along the way.
Explore Life -
Not Laundry
Summer Laundry Survival Guide for Scotch Plains and Fanwood Families
Summer has a way of creating more laundry than any other season. Between beach towels, sweaty sports uniforms, camp clothes, and constant outfit changes, many families find themselves doing laundry almost nonstop. If your laundry pile feels like it’s growing faster than you can keep up with, Bubbles and Baskets' Laundry Room, located at 1814 E. Second Street in Scotch Plains, is here to help.
Warm weather naturally brings more activity — kids at camp, sports practices and games, pool and beach trips, outdoor work, and summer gatherings. All of it adds up to extra towels, uniforms, swimsuits, bedding, and clothes that often can’t be worn twice before needing a wash. For many households, summer laundry quickly shifts from a weekly chore to a daily one.
One of the easiest ways to keep up is with Bubbles and Baskets’ drop-off wash, dry, and fold service. Instead of spending hours sorting, washing, and folding at home, customers can simply drop off their laundry and have it returned clean, fresh, neatly folded, and ready to put away. Large summer loads are handled efficiently, with lights and darks separated and stains treated whenever possible.
BY TAHRA WRIGHT
Summer laundry also goes beyond everyday clothing. Beach towels, pool towels, guest bedding, camp blankets, and sleeping bags can take over home washers and dryers. Professional laundering makes handling bulky items much easier and saves valuable time during busy weeks.
For garments that need extra care — such as work attire, dresses, or specialty fabrics — dry-cleaning services are also available. Items are professionally cleaned and returned ready to wear without the worry of damage from home washing.
For families balancing packed schedules, pickup and delivery service offers an even simpler option. Laundry is picked up from your home, professionally cleaned and folded, and delivered back to your door. It’s a convenient solution for busy parents, professionals, and anyone hoping to spend less time doing chores and more time enjoying summer.
Because at the end of the day, laundry services aren’t just about cleaner clothes — they’re about giving people back their time.
Bubbles and Baskets’ Laundry Room
What was once a routine chore is becoming a more enjoyable experience thanks to local business owners Donnell and Tahra Wright. Built around convenience, community, and customer care Bubbles and Baskets specializes in wash-and-fold service, dry cleaning, and pickup and delivery. Known for eco-friendly practices, attention to detail, and a welcoming atmosphere, the Wrights have created a modern neighborhood laundry experience that feels polished, comfortable, and community-focused.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
The 10% Target Mindset
Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT
Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.
He calls days later.
That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.
The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.
The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.
“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”
FEATURING JEN COHEN
Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.
1 2
MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS
The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.
STACK THE DECK
Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.
3
DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE
No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.
4
SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP
Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.
5
NEVER MISS A MONDAY
The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.
events
JUNE 26TH
SP Revolution 250 Festivities
Downtown SP and Shady Rest CC | 4:30 PM
Friday 6/26 - Ceremony Parade Time Capsule opening, food, festivities 4:30 - 7:30
Saturday 6/27 - Fireworks, Live Music, Food Trucks from 5-10PM
JULY 6TH
Fanwood Park Historic District Walking Tour
Fanwood Train Station
Fanwood Park Historic District Walking Tour sponsored by the Historic Preservation Society and Friends of Fanwood Public Library. Tour the oldest train station in Union County, the famous "Fanwood Oak" and former railroad development sites.
JULY 7TH
Fanwood Presents Movie Nights at La Grande Park
La Grande Park | 7:00 PM
Fanwood presents weekly movie nights for the whole family! Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to enjoy family friendly feature films. Tuesday evenings at dusk starting June 30th through August 18th. Family Fun!
JULY 25TH
Fanwood's Annual Party in the Park
La Grande Park | 6:00 PM
Join friends and neighbors for an evening of fun at La Grande Park! Enjoy lively music, food trucks, children activities and more. BYO lawn chairs and blankets. A great time for all!
AUGUST 4TH
Scotch Plains and Fanwood National Night Out
Village Green and La Grande Park | 6:00 PM
Save the Date for our annual National Night Out complete with police, fire and EMS demonstrations, community tables and giveaways, inflatables, kids activities, live music and food trucks.
