Clifton Merchant Magazine - October 2023

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Aqave Cantina Mexicana

There is a reason Clifton is a dining destination. We are a community of diverse cultures and with that have come hundreds of unique restaurants, matching our various origins, ethnicities, tastes, and culinary experiences.

Opening next week is Agave Cantina Mexicana in the completely renovated space, which was the long time location of La Riviera Trattoria.

Located at the corner of Montgomery St. and Piaget Ave., owners Maria and Alejandro De Dios and their daughter Stephanie (pictured above), say their second location is a tribute to Tulum-inspired foods and traditions. To do that, they’ll offer a variety of tequilas, mezcals, specialty cocktails, and delicious food in a modern Mexican atmosphere.

“Agave is the sister company of our established Agave Cocina Mexicana in Wallington,” explained Stephanie, who grew up in Passaic. She got her marketing degree from MSU and is now studying at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. “We are a family-run affair that is deeply tied to our Mexican culture, and we aim to bring our Latin flavors to Clifton’s food and bar scene.”

The De Dios family did their foodie research on various culinary roadtrips. “We have spent many vacations in Mexico traveling to different states trying to learn as much food culture as possible,” she said. Then living in North Jersey, which is essentially a garden of diversity, has also added to that culinary education.

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“We have also integrated the Latin influences brought here to the states by other migrating populations such as our beloved Peruvian cuisines,” she explained.

Like many family-owned restaurants, Agave Cantina recipes are also often generational. “Our family has learned our cooking methods from generations of passed down traditions and using a modern twist to differentiate us from other Mexican restaurants.”

To get the uniqueness of Agave Cantina recipes, Stephanie suggested trying their pink mole, a traditional Mexican sauce that comes in many variations. The classic mole version is the variety called mole poblano, which is a dark red or brown sauce served over meat. The dish has become a culinary symbol of Mexico’s mestizaje, or mixed indigenous and European heritage. No doubt, Agave Cantina’s

version will have a taste of the classic flavors with hints of North Jersey in its presentation.

As the family prepares for its soft opening in early October, it is apparent that this has been a major investment. Every inch of the dining room and kitchen have been renovated. Outside, the facade is a new white finish and the parking lot has been cleaned up. Plans are in the works for an official grand opening on Nov. 11.

“We expect the community will accept us with open arms and open minds as we try to find our feet and live up to the close-knit community spots around the area,” said Stephanie.

To find out more about Agave Cocina in Wallington go to Instagram @agavecocinamexicananj. Their Instagram for Agave Cantina is @agavecantinamexicananj. We welcome Agave Cantina to Clifton and wish them success!

ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 7

Board of Education Candidates

Last month, we spoke to the seven candidates running for three open seats on the Clifton Board of Education. Among them are two incumbents, one past Board member, and four newcomers. These candidates are running to lead our school district over the next three years, so we split them into two groups and asked them about one of two currently relevant topics.

Question

The district found that the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying cases were cut about in half in elementary schools from 2021-22 to 2022-23. How can the district best maintain this momentum for bullying cases across all grade levels?

Fahim Abedrabbo

Questioning the full scope and meaning of “Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying” at meetings is important to public awareness for Fahim Abedrabbo.

“What the district has done in terms of educating and being proactive for good behavior goes a long way,” said Abedrabbo, 38. “Particularly on the school level and growing up to be a mentally and physically thoughtful human being.”

The State of New Jersey outlines a seven-point list of criteria for what qualifies as a HIB case. The list includes insulting or demeaning a student or students, resulting in substantial disruption to the operation of a school, and a student exercising power and control over another in isolated incidents or patterns of HIB behavior. More info at nj.gov/education.

“When [students] go home or they are in the community … [there must be] continued education, reaching the parents, and getting parents involved in what HIB means in different languages,” said Abedrabbo (CHS 2003). “We need to make sure that the public understands what HIB means and the kind of action their child or student can have as a proactive citizen of society.”

Abedrabbo is a lifelong resident seeking a third term on the Board of Education. He lives in Montclair Heights with his wife, Hannah, and their children, Lubna, 8, Zakaria, 6, and Yaseen, 3.

Abedrabbo has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Law from MSU, a master’s in Public Administration at Seton Hall, and he’s working toward a doctorate in Education Administration from Seton Hall. The BOE incumbent is the Assistant Business Administrator for Prospect Park Schools, teaches political science at MSU, and is the Borough Clerk for Prospect Park.

“We’ve done a lot of great good in the [Clifton Schools] district,” said Abedrabbo. “The one thing that I want to … hone in on is special education.”

Abedrabbo said that his son has an IEP and attends an out-of-district religious school that helps support his education. Abedrabbo added that sending him out-of-district is a personal decision that was not because “the district isn’t able to handle it or is not good enough.”

“I send him out of the district, because he needs the help,” he said. “The taxpayers don’t pay for it. I foot the bill from my own pocket … because I would rather have a parent who can’t afford it [receive that support].”

Abedrabbo explained that his slogan “United For Children” is a reminder that everything done is for the benefit of students. “We do this at the end of the day for children,” said Abedrabbo. “The teachers teach for children, administrators administer for children, and the Board of Education members are on the Board for children. It’s about bringing all of the stakeholders — from parents to community members — into one place, just for children.”

Fahim Abedrabbo and Cameron Hebron.

Cameron Hebron

Cameron Hebron’s background working at the Recreation Department, in rehabilitation facilities, and in the public health field have given him a deeper understanding of reporting and measuring HIB cases.

“I’ve noticed how the gaps in care tend to fall on the client’s side instead of the institutional side,” said Hebron, 26. “Especially when it comes to reporting not only incidences of bullying, but also racism and general discrimination.”

Hebron emphasized that administrations should “be listening to constituents” and the reaction to reports should not be viewed through the lens of parents complaining or “kids will be kids.”

“I heard that mentality thrown around in Clifton a lot,” said Hebron (CHS 2015).

Hebron said the school district needs to take a deeper look at policies and social incentives that enable individuals to be negligent about instances of bullying. On the parental and teacher side, he said it relates to how adults are educated to identify trauma responses and bullying.

For kids, Hebron continued that it’s about providing resources so that they are equipped with the tools to find good friends and welcoming spaces.

“Transphobia, homophobia, racism, and sexism — we normalize these things in our culture and our conversations,” said Hebron. “A big part of my platform that I’d like to speak on one day is, how are we advocating for people who find themselves on the margins? Are we actually talking to them or just assuming what their feelings are on a matter?”

After CHS, Hebron pursued a public health degree and career in New Orleans. The coronavirus pandemic ultimately altered his program, which led to his return to Clifton. Today, he works as a patient outreach specialist at Rhythm Management Group in Brooklyn.

“My youthful perspective … and experience in the public health field has guided me through the nuanced aspects

of policy and funding, as it relates to education and educational resources,” he said.

Clifton leadership has also guided Hebron. He has conversed with Mayor Ray Grabowski and council members Tony Latona, Mary Sadrakula, Lauren Murphy, and Rosemary Pino.

“I initially ran [for the Board of Education] because Councilwoman Pino shared part of her story about how she ended up in City Council and it all started with her Board of Ed nomination,” said Hebron. “I admired some of the ways that she represents what she’s been through and how she got to where she is now.”

Joseph Siano

Joseph Siano knows that he doesn’t have every single answer but he’s eager to learn and listen to the city’s teachers and parents.

“I won’t have answers that the incumbents have, because I have not been doing it as long,” said Siano, 40, a lifelong city resident. “But I have a better understanding of what’s happening right now and am developing new skills because of all the people that I’ve spoken to.”

He said that in speaking with Clifton teachers, some said that there are “way too many students in the classroom” to fully address bullying concerns.

Siano added that reducing any instances of bullying requires an understanding of the big issues that children encounter.

“We are not teaching acceptance with everything going on right now,” said Siano. “I know many people will hate that I say that, but the future is changing. We can’t go back to the past. There is a whole new opening with the trans and LGBTQ+ movement.”

The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health found that 52% of participating LGBTQ middle and high school students reported being bullied either in person or electronically in the previous year. The same study showed transgender and nonbinary students (61%) reported higher rates of bullying than their cisgender LGBQ counterparts (45%).

“I think that going forward, we need better training for the counselors in school so they are more equipped to go over this,” said Siano. “We’re living in whole new territory now. It’s not like 20 to 30 years ago.”

“I’m not going to say that there are new problems arising, but kids are dealing with things that they never had to deal with before, personally.”

Siano owns JK Realty, 270 Colfax Ave., with his wife, Rickey Di MariaSiano. His involvement in community organizations includes working with the Knights of Columbus and Power of One. He has also served on the Early Childhood Advisory Council, which emphasizes the importance of early childhood education.

“I’d like to fight for more money for special education programs and early childhood learning,” said Siano. “It’s so important for a better foundation to the educational system.”

Joseph Siano

and multi lingual staff and translation services. Her mobile office events bring services such as passports, Veteran IDs, military records, and notary oaths directly to residents at Clifton City Hall, the Clifton Library, Clifton Health Center, and many other events in Clifton and throughout Passaic County

Our County Commissioners have provided funding for Clifton Parks and Infrastructure such as Weasel Brook County Park, Athenia Steel Park, Surgent Field LED lights, Sperling Park renovations, and the upcoming Mt. Prospect Road Reconstruction.

Clifton's hometown Commissioner Bruce James helped the Avenue of Flags acquire non-profit status, and secured funding to ensure all those Killed in Action are properly honored.

Question

Board of Education Candidates

A NJ Department of Education assessment named Clifton Public Schools as a “High Performing School District”. Are you satisfied with the results? How can the district best serve its lower-level learners who may still be adjusting to in-person instruction post-COVID?

Joseph Canova

Joseph Canova agrees with his fellow candidates that Clifton’s report card from the New Jersey Department of Education is worthy of the district’s pride. If reelected to the nine-person Board, it doesn’t mean he believes in complacency.

“With any program, there’s room for improvement,” said Canova, 42. “Eighty-two percent is a great score [for our Instruction and Program], especially for a school district that has collectively almost 11,000 children.”

The DoE’s Quality Single Accountability Continuum report assesses districts in five categories. These categories are: Fiscal, Governance, Operations, Personnel, and Instruction and Program. Clifton received 100% for the first three categories and 97% for Personnel.

Canova credited the district’s 1:1 technology initiative and believes that Clifton can take it further by expanding its Pre-K program.

“The younger we get children, the better they are,” said Canova. “It allows us to introduce them to school, the structure of school, and the electronic devices that they need to show how all of it functions.”

Another way that Canova said the district can stay on the “right track” is reinforcing parental and community involvement. It ranges from ensuring parents get involved in their child’s education to making sure extracurricular programs are accessible.

“It’s about the full experience,” he said. “Bringing children in earlier, helping them understand how school functions … at a younger age, and overcoming language barriers that leads to more success.”

Canova received his associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering from Thomas Edison State in Trenton. He has worked as Senior Director of IT at Berkeley College for 17 years. The husband and father lives with his wife, Rose, and their daughters, Lidia, 12, Nadia, 9, and Mia, 3. Safety and security are top priorities for Canova with

consideration to our present-day climate. If elected to a second term — he was first elected in 2018 and came in fifth in the November 2022 election — he wants to see referendum projects “completed in a timely fashion.” He specifically noted this year’s first week of school and the early dismissals due to excessively hot days.

“If we get that piece of it done faster,” said Canova on the HVAC renovations, “there will be less intrusion on instruction time.”

Canova is also a vocal proponent of the idea that charter schools should have their own line of financing, much like the public schools.

“It’s hard to budget something when we don’t know how many students we will need to send out of the district,” he explained. “If the state could pick that up, it would be for the best. … If we had 100 kids tomorrow that we had to send out, we would be financially upside down.”

“It comes down to the state legislature and moving it up from there,” Canova added. “I served on the State Board of Education and now Alan Paris is serving on that Board. It is where we bring up those larger issues … and push forward different agendas of ours, as long as the rest of the team sees it as viable.”

Juan Pabon

Juan Pabon believes in the importance of maintaining a bridge between the Board of Education, the parents, and the educators of Clifton Public Schools.

“[We must be] coming up with programs to better utilize and make sure everyone is involved … to make the community better for our children,” said Pabon, 35.

Pabon grew up in Colombia and immigrated to the United States around age 23. From a young age, he was familyoriented and started working to help support his mother, sister, and brother. He has worked at Lamart Corporation on Chestnut St. for the past 11 years, where he is the lead man on the floor and the union shop steward.

Joseph Canova and Juan Pabon.

Board of Education Candidates

“I am a leader there,” said Pabon. “I have the ability to help people and to communicate all that they need.” Leadership experience and care is what the newcomer hopes to bring with him to the Board of Education. His platform focuses primarily on maintaining a high quality of education for pupils.

It goes further as well — with Pabon emphasizing that “extracurricular activities lead to healthy lifestyles” and the importance of access to early-age programs.

“My slogan ‘Let’s Work Together’ means I am trying to promote improved communication and professional development. I think we need to do more for teachers,” said Pabon.

Running for the BOE is one way for Pabon to set an example for his own kids. He and his wife, Laura, have been Clifton homeowners for five years. Their daughter, Celeste, attends School 4 and their son, Noah, started PreK this year.

Yet the BOE is not just for his kids. Pabon views it as something for all kids who are growing up in our area.

“I think that Clifton has a very good, accessible education. But we can be better,” he said. “How we can do that goes back to bridging the gap between education, educators, and the Board of Education. That’s the [strategy] that we have to use.”

Jim Smith

Expanding on past achievements matters to Board of Education incumbent Jim Smith. “I think anybody in just about any position doesn’t want to stay stagnant,” said Smith, 59. “I am always trying to do better and achieve better things. I felt it was really important for the Board to have a much more relaxed relationship with the public.”

Smith grew up in Allwood and attended St. Andrew the Apostle School, Paul VI High School, and Montclair State. He taught at St. Andrew’s for 20 years and first served on the BOE in 1992 until 2006.

Smith filled a vacated seat in February 2020 and won a seat in the November 2020 election for a fifth term. The NJ Department of Education’s recent Quality Single Accountability Continuum report is a source of satisfaction that Smith said “shows we are performing above.”

“The district has never stopped addressing the concerns

with any student, whether preCOVID, during COVID, or after,” said Smith. “I think that we were one of the better districts that was able to get ChromeBooks into every child’s hands during COVID.”

“While other districts were racing around, trying to find ways, Clifton was ahead of the curve, happy to do that. Addressing the needs of students to me — it doesn’t matter where or when it is,” he added. “Our staff is tremendously dedicated and do everything they have to.”

Smith attributed several things to Clifton’s 82% grade in the “Instruction and Program” category. Among them were additional supervisory positions in the Special Education Department and the “wonderful relationship we have with Imagine Math.” He also noted Clifton’s tutoring programs, where high school students support younger learners, a therapy dog for the 2023–2024 academic year, and districtwide book vending machines. But Smith added there’s always the desire to strive to do better.

“Even though 82% is a tremendous number and score the administration will be looking at areas that will help us improve the scores so we can be at 100% across the board,” said Smith. “Maintaining that is something that is important. Just because we achieved a High Performing score this round, we don’t want to fall back or decrease on that.”

The way Smith wants to see improvement is by emphasizing ongoing professional development and pursuing the viability of hiring a grant writer.

“There are so many opportunities for schools to apply for grants, but the process really stinks,” he said. “Grant applying takes a tremendous amount of time — not only to search and find one, but the application process … and following up on it. It’s not made very easy, but they’re out there,” Smith continued. “I think [a full-time grant writer] is something that the district could use and benefit from. … It’s an area that I will continue to be following and asking the administration to be on top of.”

Tanya Suarez

Tanya Suarez’s message is simple but firm: Let teachers teach. “The person who’s with students the most on a given day while they’re awake is a teacher,” said Suarez, 41. “Let them do what they know how to do.”

Jim Smith, Tanya Suarez.

“They are experts, intellectuals, and professionals,” she continued. “I think that if we just learn to trust them, our students really will thrive.” Suarez acknowledged the “fear and anxiety” around the country about what children learn in the classroom. She stated it comes down to trusting that teachers understand their grade level and the developmental needs in their classrooms.

The BOE newcomer became a Clifton homeowner in 2018. The Jersey City native appreciates Clifton’s “multitude of languages, people, and walks of life.”

She earned her bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Creative Writing at William Paterson. Suarez later received her master’s in school social work from Columbia University and is now a PhD candidate in the Teacher Education and Teacher Development program at MSU.

Her career experiences have included working at a child development center in Jersey City with children whose mothers were homeless, at a group home as a senior youth counselor for teen girls, and six years of school social work at a NYC private school.

“I am very passionate about disabilities and getting kids what they need in the classroom,” said Suarez. “I believe education needs to be equitable for all, not for some.”

Suarez has a 7-year-old son in second grade at School 8. While there’s “room for improvement” for the dis-

trict’s test scores, she finds it “remarkable” that Clifton earned a high performing score in the QSAC “Instruction and Program” category. It’s particularly meaningful as students around the country continue adjusting to inperson learning.

“I think a lot of conversation is surrounding how to get students back to ‘normal’ when we’re not considering their experiences,” said Suarez. “Where can we validate their experience of learning through a crisis and coming into school and creating a new sense of normalcy?”

Suarez pointed to understanding that instruction must be more explicit on all levels, from district paraprofessionals up to the administration.

“It could look like building in professional development for educators around social-emotional learning and around understanding the experiences of students,” she said. “Out of pure care, we want them to excel … quickly, but that’s not fair. We need to meet them where they are.”

Standardized testing isn’t the “be all, end all” for Suarez. She emphasized showing students that they’re “more than a test” and said building confidence will help students develop further.

“Let’s see them as students and children first,” she said. “When they have that self-confidence and self-worth … I do believe that it will support test scores.”

Passaic County Commissioner Candidates

Candidates for the two Passaic County Commissioner seats open are Democratic incumbents Bruce James and Orlando Cruz with Republican challengers, Andrena Pegel and Kelley Amico.

A seven-member Board of County Commissioners governs Passaic County. These elected officials serve as the middle layer of government between the federal and state governments and municipalities. Eligible voters elect county commissioners at large for a three-year term. We spoke last month over phone or communicated via email with the four candidates who are running on opposing tickets for the two open seats.

Commissioner Orlando Cruz

Equitable communication across all 16 municipalities matters to Commissioner Orlando Cruz.

“I think we can get creative with different forms,” said Cruz, 39. “We have a strong social media presence, but we can double down … and maybe send out more video messages translated in multiple languages.”

Cruz believes that communication will go a long way toward making the county residents more aware of available programs and resources.

“Particular programs may come about and people … may say they didn’t know about it or get a chance to take advantage of it,” said Cruz. “Passaic County is a diverse community. I want to make sure everyone gets a message and understands it.”

Cruz is a Paterson resident, husband, and father of three boys. In March, he filled a vacancy left on the Board by Theodore “T.J.” Best. Best, elected in 2010, was sworn into office at age 29 and elected three more times before stating that he was stepping down to spend more time with his children.

Cruz expressed admiration for the other commissioners’ abilities to work collectively and ensure “everyone has the opportunity to live the best quality life in Passaic County.” He wants to offer his own experiences as the President of the Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Greater Wayne Chamber of Commerce. Cruz is the first Latino and minority to hold the Paterson position.

“I am looking to bring that business perspective to

county government and ensure that decisions are made and resources are made available to residents in ways that are, I like to call, best for business,” said Cruz. “‘Business’ being the residents of Passaic County.”

Cruz noted that he’s connected to Clifton as well. He has attended flag raising events, events at the Athenia Veterans Post, and he has spoken to Mayor Ray Grabowski and council members.

“My time has been short on the Board so far, but I’ve seen what the county has done in terms of investing in infrastructure in Clifton for its parks and roads,” said Cruz.

From senior programming to open space funding — Cruz wants to see investments made so residents “have a place to go to for an enjoyable experience.” He stressed the importance of voting in November, despite lower voter turnouts for elections with only legislative and county candidates on the ticket.

“Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to … serve Clifton for the next three years and help Clifton grow as a community and better flourish within Passaic County.”

Commissioner Bruce James

If reelected in November, Commissioner Bruce James will finish his next term having served as a Passaic County commissioner for over 20 years.

Passaic County residents first elected James to the seven-member board in November of 2005. His background is as a caseworker and later supervisor for the Passaic County Board of Social Services, which he left once he was elected to serve as a full-time county commissioner.

Passaic County Commissioner Candidates

The Clifton resident for over three decades is committed to the county’s projects.

“I want to make sure the full force is in effect,” said James, 72. “I want women to be able to get breast screenings and for men to be able to get prostate screenings and live.”

Part of the process is getting more people enrolled on Medicaid. James said that he’s spoken to Clifton Health Officer John Biegel on that topic and that different obstacles exist. For women, it’s largely about making these exams accessible for individuals without coverage. James continued that many men will not go for prostate exams.

“We need to make PSA [blood] tests available … because it can really impact mortality,” James explained. “That’s really where I’ve focused quite a bit in the last couple years. I am interested in it and want to see people thrive. If you don’t have health, you have nothing.”

“I have beaten cancer twice, so I know what I’m talk-

ing about,” he continued. “Should there be a problem, at least you’re [catching] it early. That is one of my passions.”

James earned his bachelor’s in political science and philosophy from William Paterson. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Greater Paterson Opportunities Industrialization Center. He served as Fundraising Chairman of St. Joseph’s Hospital Early Intervention Program and the Passaic County Food Bank as well.

He is a current commissioner on the NJ State Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council.

“My vote kept them from getting the Regional Master Plan gutted. A lot of people don’t like the bill, but that is what is keeping our water clean and healthy,” said James. “I will keep voting the way that I vote to maintain the water quality for our kids and grandkids.”

“Somebody was there for us,” James added, “so we need to be there for them.”

Andrena Pegel and Kelley Amico

Ed. Note: In responses to our calls, Andie Pegel and Kelley Amico sent a combined statement via email. Here is what they had written.

Andie Pegel and Kelley Amico want to use their voices to support the people living and working in Passaic County’s 16 municipalities.

The candidates are campaigning on the Republican ticket to fill the two available seats on the Passaic County Board of Commissioners.

“Passaic County needs a local check and balance against increasingly out-of-touch, one-party control in Trenton,” the candidates said in a joint statement. “In every town … working families, seniors, and small business people deserve a voice.”

Pegel served on the West Milford Council from 2018 to 2020. She is the current president of the Passaic County Republican Women’s Club. Pegel is a mother of three and is a small business owner. She works in the insurance industry and actively supports West Milford’s senior citizen and substance awareness programs.

Amico is Passaic County’s Republican State Committeewoman. She was elected to the position in 2021 and has a history as a campaigner. She is a mother of three and worked previously as a Passaic County Sheriff’s employee. She serves on a Domestic Violence Prevention Committee in Little Falls and supports other community activities.

Pegel and Amico promise to work with people in both parties, if elected as commissioners. They want to “rein in taxes and spending” and support law enforcement to fight car thefts and “rising crime” in the county.

“[We will] defend parental rights in our local schools, and ensure our seniors, veterans, and the disabled receive quality, cost-effective services through county government,” they stated.

Clifton voters will decide next month whether or not they support the creation of an Open Space Tax that would be part of the city residents’ local property tax bills.

On July 6, Councilman Joe Kolodziej proposed a discussion about an Open Space Tax. OST would deliver a dedicated fund for updates around the city, which could include ADA-compliant playground updates.

The fund is also a potential provider of other dedicated public spaces. The cost would be approximately $18 per year (or $1.50 per month) for the average assessed home.

Among the varied purposes of an Open Space Fund is the acquisition, development, repair, and maintenance of lands for recreation and conservation, as well as farmland preservation.

Open Space Taxes cost roughly 0.5 and 2.5 cents per $100 of an assessed property valuation. It costs many municipalities about a penny.

“I’ve listened to residents coming to the Council meetings speaking of the need to improve our parks and playgrounds, to fight overdevelopment by creating more open space, and the interest of creating a local museum dedicated to the history of Clifton,” said Kolodziej. “I share

their concerns and it seems everyone on the Council agrees with these goals.”

The resolution didn’t secure its needed four votes at the July meeting. Councilwoman Mary Sadrakula motioned on Aug. 15 to amend the resolution and vote again. The resolution passed with the removal of language about how the tax would amount to $17.95 per year on the average assessed home.

The resolution that passed stated that the OST would allow the city to collect “one cent per hundred dollars of assessed real property value.”

Kolodziej explained that the fund would exist year-afteryear and be spent down year-after-year, if approved.

“Clifton and Wayne both pay about $1 million [per] year to the County Open Space Trust Fund. Over the past 20 years, Wayne has received roughly $9.1 million in open space funding from the County,” said Kolodziej. “Clifton, over the same period of time, has received roughly $5.9 million. Why the $3.2 million inequality?”

“Wayne has a penny open space tax,” he added. “This referendum is asking the voters to approve the same open space penny and stop short-changing ourselves.”

Passaic County Clerk Candidates

The Passaic County Clerk has many duties, including the oversight of providing a wide range of important services. The services range from maintaining property transaction records across all 16 municipalities to certifying election results to the New Jersey Secretary of State. We spoke to the incumbent and challenger for the Passaic County position that is one of three elected constitutional offices, along with the County Sheriff and County Surrogate.

Rosemary Pino

Running for County Clerk in Passaic County is bigger for Rosemary Pino than simply herself. “I call us a move ment, because that is really what I feel that we are,” said Pino, 44. “We’re trying to change the way that politics has been seen for decades in the country and Passaic County.”

Pino has lived in Clifton for 30-plus years and is not new to political and civic engagement. Pino first ran for a seat on the Clifton Board of Education in 2011. She won a seat in 2013 and served for one year of her second term, stepping down after winning a seat on the City Council in 2018. She won re-election to the City Council last November.

“I think every single experience prepared me for this role,” said Pino. “I think what’s inside of me, if anything, is I know that I’m capable because I am very persistent. When you don’t know it, you figure it out. There is no option to give up.”

One of Pino’s goals if elected as County Clerk is to ensure secure and convenient elections. It means getting people active and engaged, even in zip codes with lower voter turnouts. She also wants to reach younger voters and educate them on “how the system works so they have a voice early on.”

representation. But I am a hometown girl and can see the need for that support [in Clifton] on a county level.”

Pino earned her bachelor’s in Finance from Rutgers University and worked for over a decade in the finance industry. She worked for Passaic County Community College and the US Treasury Department.

County Clerk Danielle Ireland-Imhof has made s increased electronic documents and web capabi and multi-lingual staff and translation services. H services such as passports, Veteran IDs, military directly to residents at Clifton City Hall, the Clifton and many other events in Clifton and throughout Passa Our County Commissioners have provided fun Infrastructure such as Weasel Brook County Park, Field LED lights, Sperling Park renovations, and the Reconstruction.

In later years, she earned her teaching certification and is an instructor for adult education. She works with the state’s Intensive Supervision Program, teaching men who served time in prison as they work toward earning their GEDs.

Clifton's hometown Commissioner Bruce James acquire non-profit status, and secured funding to ensu properly honored.

Making residents across the 16 municipalities aware of the county clerk’s role is also important to her — whether it relates to providing access to county maps or the deeds to houses.

“We are the keeper of the records,” she said. “During COVID, county clerk offices were closed, so refinances … couldn’t proceed and another office had to do their role. … The people need to understand how important our office is in their everyday lives.”

Pino is married to husband Eric Oliver and they have a blended family of 11 children. When she considers the people that she has met over the years who believed in her before she believed in herself, she hopes to pay that kindness forward.

“I’m asking the voters to just give us a chance.”

Danielle Ireland-Imhof

N O V E M B E R 7 t

Pino sees the needs of her hometown as well. As the second largest municipality in the county, she doesn’t believe Clifton gets specific perks but views the city as great because of the people who live in it.

Danielle Ireland-Imhof is inspired by the next generation of voters and civic engagement.

The Passaic County Clerk won office in 2018. Her reelection platform focuses on the messaging of the importance of qualifications.

“The residents and constituents of Passaic County need to feel confident that their county clerk is qualified,” said Ireland-Imhof, 37. “When you hand over your deed or mortgage … you want to make sure it is being

Rosemary Pino and Danielle Ireland-Imhof.

recorded properly and responsibly. You want to make sure that your ballot is correct, because an error could disenfranchise voters or impact a candidate’s race.”

Ireland-Imhof emphasizes these realities to many age groups. When speaking in the community, her presence ranges from visiting religious and community events to high schools and MSU.

“I love to see kids engaged in the community and understand the importance of being engaged,” said IrelandImhof. “Sometimes these kids are not eligible to vote yet. That really inspires me.”

“They [won’t] know what options they have available to them down the road unless they see a variety of people doing a variety of things,” she added.

Ireland-Imhof’s grandmother, Sylvia Ireland, inspired her at a young age. She was an educator for over 50 years in New York City. “I would say that is the foundation of my love of community.”

Ireland-Imhof earned her bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science at Rutgers – New Brunswick, with a minor in Economics. She received her master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers – Newark.

Ireland-Imhof was the Borough Administrator in Prospect Park and Municipal Clerk in Prospect Park until win-

ning her election. She holds a New Jersey Registered Municipal Clerk License.

“I want people to know that the county clerk is accessible,” said Ireland-Imhof. “I call myself very user-friendly. I’m out and about all the time. I am happy to share information whenever and wherever and always have business cards on me.” Visit passaiccountyclerk.org, clerkdanielle. com, or the county’s social media on Facebook (Passaic County Clerk), Instagram (passaiccountyclerk), and X (formerly, Twitter) at passaiccoclerk.

Ireland-Imhof lives in Hawthorne with her husband, Louis Imhof. She said that she is “excited for how engaged Clifton is as a city” about who is on their ballot.

“Out of the 16 municipalities, each one is unique and has its own identity,” said Ireland-Imhof. “One of the things that I love about Clifton’s identity is that it has 90,000 residents, but it is still a tight-knit community. It wants to feel that its elected officials and leaders are present.”

Ireland-Imhof has striven for that with her office’s 150 community outreach programs. The 2022 statistics show that amidst five elections, the County Clerk’s office prepared 84,630 vote-by-mail ballots. The office processed 10,464 deeds, started the digitization of property records back to 1837, and participated in 10 county and community collaborations.

Ireland-Imhof and her staff have visited Clifton’s City Hall, the Health Department, public library, and attended events like the Knights of Columbus Tank Pull and flag raising events.

“We strive to bring outreach to unique and nontraditional places,” said Ireland-Imhof. “Going to City Hall for a veteran ID card may not be convenient during a business day. At the Sunday tank pull, you can bring your family, enjoy the experience, and get your records handled. I always want to be the face of the office,” she continued. “It helps to reinforce that the office is here and ready to serve.”

We rounded out our political candidate profiles by reaching out to the two candidates for State Senate and four candidates for General Assembly in the 27th District. Despite multiple requests for an interview and eventual contact, we were unable to arrange for a time to speak with Democratic Assembly candidate Alixon Collazos-Gill by our deadline. Senators serve under a 2-4-4 year system. General Assembly members have two-year term lengths.

Michael Byrne

Michael Byrne’s platform for NJ State Senate focuses on hot topics such as term limits, parental rights, and fair school funding.

The 27th District Republican candidate believes the “money should follow the child” in reforming school funding and that parents deserve “complete authority” when selecting the best school for their child, whether it is government, private, parochial, or homeschool.

As for political terms, Byrne advocates for specific limits. “Assemblymen and senators should each be termlimited to 10 years,” said Byrne, “with a maximum combined service of 18 years to curb the abuse of our pension system.”

Byrne is a lifelong Montclair resident. He graduated from Montclair High School and later from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. He has worked for conservative campaigns and causes across the country, including in California, New Mexico, Ohio, and New Jersey.

Byrne is Chairman of the Montclair Republican County Committee, Inc. In 2015 and 2016, he served as Sen. Marco Rubio’s National Director of Ballot Access and he joined former President Donald Trump’s campaign as Election Day Director in New Hampshire.

He said his decision to run for State Senate is because Republican Party leaders of Essex and Passaic counties “failed us by not having any candidates on the Primary Election ballot.”

“They came up short exactly when Republicans should be fielding 120 candidates across the state committed to ending the Murphy Administration’s assault on families and parental rights,” said Byrne.

“When I saw that the sample ballots in the primary had no Republican nominees for Senate or Assembly in our district,” he continued, “I recruited running mates who would represent our party and fight for families.”

“Clifton Republicans were instrumental in ensuring we got enough write-in votes in the Primary to become the official Republican nominees,” he continued.

Adopting the campaign slogan “Let’s Shake Up Trenton!”, Byrne elaborated on why he believes he’s the candidate to make that happen.

“The issues we confront — particularly the Murphy Administration’s assault on parental rights and its deliberate sexualization of our children — can only be addressed by legislators who are not beholden to Party bosses or dependent on massive financial contributions from corporate special interests or ideological extremists like the NJEA or Planned Parenthood,” said Byrne.

“I will only seek to build my support among voters,” he added, “and never rely on endorsements or campaign contributions from the teachers’ union.”

Michael Mecca, Jr.

Michael Mecca feels that he knows Clifton. The Republican candidate for the General Assembly is also happy that his running mate is from Clifton.

“[Irene DeVita] knows Clifton. She’s very involved in the community,” said Mecca, 65. “I’m proud to be running with her and [County Clerk candidate] Rosemary Pino.”

Mecca held a seat for two terms on the Passaic County Board of Freeholders, now Board of Commissioners, from 1998 to 2004. Prior to that, he was on the Clifton Zoning Board from 1990 to 1998 and was chairman for about four of those years. Mecca served as the Passaic County Republican Chairman from 2002 to 2006.

The Jersey City native studied Political Science at St Peter’s College and was a business owner of a luncheonette on Market Street for 12 years. He had a trucking business until 2005 and has worked since January 2006 for Passaic Valley Sewage. Mecca will retire as a Department Head for the Liquid Waste Acceptance Program on Jan. 1, 2024.

Michael Byrne and Michael Mecca Jr.

Mecca joined the Republican ticket after Jonathan Sym withdrew from the race and moved with his family to Virginia when his US Navy Reserve unit was called up for active duty.

“We’ve gotten short-changed [with redistricting],” he said. “It made me decide to put my name into the race. I want to represent Clifton and have Passaic County represented in our district.”

Mecca pointed to his history of never voting for “any unwarranted tax increase.” He believes that New Jersey residents “need tax relief” and does not support “an authoritative state … of telling children what to do.”

“These Board of Educations and teachers need autonomy. They’re the professionals,” he said. “Let the teachers teach, and let the parents be parents. It is nonsense that states come in and tell parents what to do with their child.”

The bottom line: Mecca wants Clifton’s “fair share” in the 27th District.

“Our citizens deserve representation they’re not getting. You can put all the aides you want from Clifton on staff, but it doesn’t help Clifton,” he said. “You’ve got to know the town and get money for the BOE to help them. We need renovations and programs in our schools.”

“I am familiar with all the elected officials and City Manager Nick Villano,” Mecca continued. “We haven’t had representation in Clifton for quite a few years.”

Irene DeVita

Irene DeVita’s platform is fiscal responsibility, listening to the constituents, and responding to the voters’ needs.

Reducing New Jersey property taxes is a top priority. According to Money.com, New Jersey had the highest average property taxes on single-family homes in 2022 at $9,527. The second state listed was Connecticut at $7,671.

“In Clifton, the average tax is $10,220,” said DeVita. “Other towns in the district suffer similarly.”

“Average working people are under undue pressure to pay this and many just give up and move,” she continued. “I agree with Republicans in the Assembly that our taxes are causing people to leave this state.”

DeVita believes she understands the problems of the 27th District. The lifelong Clifton resident has spoken to constituents about issues of crime, taxes, and education.

“The philosophy of tax and ‘spend without limitation’ is ruinous,” she said. “I hear that from so many voters now, and there needs to be a check on one-party rule in New Jersey.”

DeVita attended Lacordaire Academy in Montclair and earned a B.F.A. in Fashion Design from Pratt Institute. Her background is as a fashion professional in the garment district on Seventh Avenue in New York City.

DeVita said that she’s always held an interest for working people, which segued into gaining an interest in politics. Her past State Assembly runs were in 2019 and 2021, and she wants “every voter to know that I am one of them.”

“My mom and dad were hard-working, blue-collar people, and they instilled that in all of their children,” said DeVita. “Clearly, what happens in Trenton has ramifications right here in Clifton and in the 27th District.

“It’s time for a change [and] to return to the values of the working class,” she added. “The people who pay taxes and [are the] cornerstone of New Jersey.”

Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie

Individual rights and the rights of workers encompass Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie’s platform.

The Democratic candidate for General Assembly supports specific stances, including a woman’s right to choose, a person’s right to love, the ability to

read the book that you want to read, along with other issues like working on the environment and “maintaining our collaborative safety.”

“The issue right now of the environment is still very much a concern in our legislative district, as well as issues concerned with families producing a living wage after layoffs,” said Bagolie, 43. “I think we do feel that our individual, collective rights could go under attack. The legislative district is … united in making sure these rights are maintained.”

Bagolie grew up in Elizabeth and is a current Livingston resident. She is married to Ricky Bagolie, an attorney

and former Passaic-Clifton Unico president who grew up in Clifton. They are parents to 17-yearold Frank and twin 14-year-olds Jacob and Aaron.

Bagolie earned her bachelor’s in Social and Behavioral Sciences at Seton Hall. She also earned her master’s in Elementary Education and Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Management, and Planning. Bagolie has another master’s in Special Education and Learning Disabilities from Rutgers. She is the Superintendent of the East Newark Public School District and Principal of the East Newark School.

“I really truly believe this is a place where I can make an impact,” said Bagolie. “Education is big for me, and what’s happening in states like Texas and in areas of New Jersey seems to be a lot of noise about what students should learn, what we can teach them, and what we should not.”

“Dictators around the world control literacy and the press … [and it is the] quickest way to an ignorant country or

Another area of focus for Bagolie is how she can support the right to a “dignified place to live for everyone.”

“I think that we have depleted the middle class,” said Bagolie. “I want to help every person in the state, while being financially responsible to every citizen.”

Bagolie was sworn in this year as a commissioner on the Livingston Municipal Council. Although she moved from the Clifton area about 15 years ago, she believes her time as a Passaic County resident and awareness of the issues have

“I think I represent the voice of the Jewish community in Clifton as someone who is Jewish. I believe I represent the voice of the Hispanic population in the Clifton and Passaic area as someone of

Irene DeVita, Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie.

“I never thought that I was going to end up where I am today. It’s a testament to my parents and their value of education and giving me opportunities that I wouldn’t have had in the Dominican Republic,” she added. “I represent the interests of the residents of New Jersey.”

John McKeon

It’s a “tale of two issues” in the 27th District, but Assemblyman John McKeon said the progress is evident. It’s something that he wants to maintain in the NJ State Senate. “It has always been about the property taxes,” said McKeon, 65. “It’s the number one thing that drives folks from a substantive perspective.”

McKeon points to legislative efforts to bring tax relief to seniors and how New Jersey’s Anchor property-tax relief program helps meet that goal. Anchor was established in 2022 to replace the long-standing Homestead Benefit.

Governor Phil Murphy’s Administration reported that more than 1.7 million residents applied for state-funded Anchor relief payments. Certain eligible homeowners received benefits as large as $1,500. “We need to continue that kind of focus and progress,” said McKeon.

The other side of the two issues is the current social climate. McKeon spoke to his presence at the forefront of often-discussed issues ranging from reproductive freedom and marriage equality to reasonable gun regulation and environmental justice.

McKeon serves as Chair of the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. He is a member of the Budget Committee and the Environment and Solid Waste Committee.

Getting to know Clifton was a priority that he made for himself over the past year and a half. “I’ve par-

ticipated in signature community events like Memorial Day, helping put up flags at 6 am, the [Pride flag raising], and the Street Fair,” said McKeon.

He said that he’s also joined Senator Nia Gill in support of the Clifton City Green Project and he has addressed the City Council as “someone who may represent them in the future on issues that mean something to them.”

“I’m going to be there for the community,” he assured us. McKeon lives in West Orange, where he served as a council member from 1992 to 1998 and as mayor from 1998 to 2010. He was first elected to the General Assembly on Nov. 6, 2001 and is a partner at the law firm of Hardin, Kundla, McKeon and Poletto in Springfield. His degrees are from Muhlenberg College and Seton Hall’s School of Law, where he earned his juris doctor.

He’s married to Ann Mader McKeon, Esq. with three adult daughters Lacey, Melissa and Jaclyn.

Empathy and care matter to McKeon. “I can’t solve [everyone’s] problems, but I can feel them,” he said. “The greatest privilege of my life is to be able to serve and make a difference in the lives of others.”

by Tanya Suarez

Agamie Gourmet Delicatessen & Caterers 62 Market St. • 973-779-3643

Agave Cantina Mexicana 421 Piaget Ave. • Coming Soon

Ají Limón Peruvian Restaurant 1239 Main Ave. • 973-272-3660

Ak Cafe 415 Crooks Ave. • 973-340-0060

Alaeddin’s Pizza 600 Getty Ave. • 973-247-9922

Alexus Steakhouse and Tavern 955 Valley Rd. • 973-746-6600

All Surf No Turf 752 Clifton Ave. • 201-923-2054

The Allwood Diner 913 Allwood Rd. • 973-365-2575

Ameti’s Pizza 1162 Broad St. #3343 • 973-272-6080

Angelo’s Pizzeria & Restaurant 72 Market St. • 973-777-5599

ANT Bookstore and Cafe 345 Clifton Ave. • 973-777-2704

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza 852 Rt. 3 West • 973-471-2625

Clifton is home to many cultures and that is reflected in the diverse restaurants, bakeries and taverns around town.

The dining experience was significantly different the last time that we created a comprehensive guide to local eateries for our readership. Our city’s restaurant landscape looked quite different as well.

Since August of 2021, certain long-time haunts have remained while others have made way for any number of reasons for new types of cuisines.

We strove to create an up-to-date list of establishments in most every Clifton neighborhood, with names, addresses, and phone numbers included. We also reached out to patrons and owners to ask them about their favorite local eateries and the history of their business.

So grab your wallet and your partner or the family— and dine out in Clifton!

Applebee’s 375 Rt. 3 East • 973-471-6161

Aruba Lounge & Restaurant 240 Dayton Ave. • 862-231-5254

Bagel Station 1223 Van Houten Ave. • 973-249-7999

Banana King 485 Crooks Ave. • 973-685-9002

The Barrow House 1296 Van Houten Ave. • 551-223-6609

Barry’s Bagel & Deli 10 Market St. • 973-472-2435

Baskin-Robbins

1053 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-473-9631 405 Piaget Ave. • 973-615-5525

Beirut Restaurant 1543 Main Ave. • 973-955-2311

Beyti Sweet Shop & Bakery 60 Madison Ave. • 973-458-0067

Bitol Mexican Handcrafted Cantina 1061 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-246-3558

Blimpie

1330 Main Ave. • 973-772-2388

Bogey’s Sports Pub 103 Valley Rd. • 862-257-3964

Bohemian Bistro

1281 Main Ave. • 973-413-2303

La Bonita Restaurante Bar

394 Lexington Ave. • 973-500-4479

Botany Village Pizza 266 Parker Ave. A • 973-546-4163

Bruno’s Pizzeria

Clifton Plaza, Rt. 46 West • 973-473-3339

Burek King 223 Parker Ave. • 973-513-9050

Burger+ 1216 Main Ave. • 973-955-4697

Burger King 461 Piaget Ave. • 973-772-9790

Burgerstrasse 14 Market St. • 973-928-4859

Cafe Bubamara 263 Parker Ave. • 973-928-1371

Carla Mia Pizzeria 397 Piaget Ave. • 973-253-6030

Carvel 750 Van Houten Ave. • 973-773-4737

Chevys Fresh Mex 365 Rt. 3 West • 973-777-6277

China House 402 Lexington Ave. • 973-546-0012

China Wok 90 Market St. • 973-773-6628

Chipotle Mexican Grill 380 Rt. 3 West • 973-916-0040

Emerald Corner has delicious burgers. Another place is Rutt’s Hut, of course.

I moved to Indiana three years ago, and I miss Mario’s and Matthew’s.

- Joseph McKenna

I’m living in Los Angeles now, but I loved Alexus Steakhouse.

- Jeff Nach

- Tim St. Clair

The Clif Tavern

605 Clifton Ave. • 973-365-2060

Clifton Bagels

106 Kingsland Rd. • 973-471-7931

Clifton Buffet

79 Ackerman Ave. • 973-478-6888

Clifton Chifa Restaurant

638 Paulison Ave. • 973-246-1112

Clifton Thai Restaurant

239 Parker Ave. • 973-253-1400

Clifton Village Pizza

1380 Clifton Ave. • 973-458-0505

Con Sabor A Peru

109 Lakeview Ave. • 973-340-0008

Corrado’s Bakery

1578 Main Ave. • 973-340-0628

Costco Bakery 20 Bridewell Pl. • 973-779-8715

Crab Island Cajun Seafood & Bar

1016 Main Ave. • 973-955-2911

Cups Frozen Yogurt

852 Rt. 3 West #109 • 973-272-1990

Dayton Homemade Chocolates

Styertowne Shopping Center • 973-574-0444

Deans Hot Bagels

391 Piaget Ave. • 973-246-9067

Dera Masala Grill

741 Broad St. • 862-239-9300

Dingo’s Den

615 Van Houten Ave. • 973-471-7767

Dunkin Donuts (7 Clifton Stores)

dunkindonuts.com

El Dorado Restaurant and Lounge 255 Parker Ave. • 973-246-1856

El Fogon Restaurant

1025 Main Ave. • 973-272-2675

El Mangu Express Restaurant 1115 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-777-7770

El Mexicano Tapas & Tequila

Hot Grill. I grew up in Clifton, and they’ve been a treat to go to since I was a kid. The same quality that they had then, they have now. The workers run things like a well-oiled machine, even when it’s busy.

“One Frenchie, one!” brings back a lot of good memories.

- Theresa Gonci

From Humble Beginnings

By Ariana Puzzo

Yes, Matthew’s is open. That is what owner and Clifton na tive Matthew Tyahla wants people to know as they make their lunch or dinner plans. Matthew’s Italian Restaurant, 1131 Bloomfield Ave, is easy to find and always reliable.

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving along Route 3 East or West — take the Bloomfield Ave. Exit, turn left after the ramp, and continue for 0.2 miles. The restaurant will be on the left and is open seven days per week. It’s a reality that has remained consistent for nearly 13 years.

“No matter what, I always wanted people to understand that, ‘Yes, he is open,’” said Tyahla, 39. “‘Yes, we can do takeout. Yes, we can dine there.’ That’s one thing that I never wanted to lose.”

The restaurant has evolved in other regards. Its doors originally opened on Dec. 14, 2010, when Tyahla was a mere 26-years-old. During the coronavirus pandemic, the restaurant added more high top tables and “dressed up the bar area.” Tyahla said that it has contributed to a more comfortable environment, where guests have additional seating options as opposed to spending more time in a waiting area.

The work is ongoing, but it allows for Tyahla to do what he loves. Tyahla also gets to do it in an industry that he got his first real taste for when he was just 14.

“If you don’t love what you’re going to do, especially in this industry, it’s not going to work out. Get ready to dedicate a lot — all of your time to this field,” he corrects himself, with a laugh. “It’s no joke. You will dedicate your life to it in order to make it work.”

Milestones and Mussels

Tyahla hasn’t forgotten his first memorable experience eating Italian food.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” said Tyahla. “The first time that I had linguine and clam sauce was at La Riviera.”

“My mom and dad took me,” he added. “That place will always be a memory. It was an excellent restaurant.”

As a boy, Tyahla attended St. Philip’s in Clifton and Seton Hall Prep in West Orange. By age 14, he was eager to start working in the restaurant industry. What followed was a lot of persistence, as he asked George Minusa, the owner of La Finestra, whether the restaurant not far from his home on Vincent Drive was hiring.

Tyahla eventually got a job as a weekend food-runner and busboy. He was thrilled at the time, but it doesn’t compare to the gratitude that he feels today.

“That’s where it all started. My day one in business was under George,” said Tyahla.

Tyahla said Minusa came to Matthew’s a couple of times in later years to see the restaurant and say hello. The memories of the two years that Tyahla worked with him continue to influence his work ethic.

“I learned a lot from him. He was my first boss,” he said. “I watched him work hard every day.”

Some of the team from left, Tiffany, Nicole, Matthew, Anthony and Stephanie.

After La Finestra closed in 2000, Tyahla worked as a food-runner for Bella Napoli on Bloomfield Avenue. While studying Business Communications at Ramapo College, he continued working at the restaurant that became Cafe d’Amici. When the restaurant closed in August of 2010, Tyahla knew it was his moment.

He put it all on the line by going in as a sole owner, and he remains the sole owner today. As he reflected on the past decade, he acknowledged the restaurant industry is a “sensitive business” that requires you to always “bring your A game.”

“In a world full of very good competition, there is really no room for error,” said Tyahla. Another thing that Tyahla has learned from opening a restaurant in his hometown is the depth of connections made with customers. Whether it’s people moving three blocks away or moving out of town, it’s all a big deal and he said it’s remarkable how quickly people’s lives change.

The other component is how much he learns about people’s lives.

“There are a lot of good people in this world. I think the restaurant, especially this place, attracts so

At the Dec. 14, 2010 opening with mom Kathleen, then-Mayor James Anzaldi, his late father Paul, Matthew and the late Councilman Matt Grabowski.

many different people,” said Tyahla. “You watch families go through some sad times in their lives, but meet people going through great times in their lives.”

“Them sharing their experience with us is a true compliment. I always laugh when people say to me, ‘But nobody knows yet,’” he continued. “Sometimes I think that when someone is going to have a baby, I know before the rest of their family.”

Cornerstone of Clifton

Although Matthew’s is a city fixture with no plans of outward expansion, the business expanded in other notable ways.

The restaurant offers catering services for house parties and open space venues. They cater for events like weddings, showers, and retirement parties. It works, because Tyahla is committed to Clifton and their Bloomfield Avenue home.

“My ongoing joke is, if you see me at another restaurant, I better be sitting down,” said Tyahla.

Tyahla feels especially grateful for the public showing of support, most recently on social media when we asked people to name their favorite Clifton restaurants.

Matthew’s received significant recognition for its menu. The rustic menu boasts numerous Italian classics for lunch and dinner visits, but that’s not where it ends.

Guests are given a fine wine list and offered a broad collection of imported beers and spirits to round out their dining experience. Flavor and presentation are never lacking.

In Tyahla’s case, he knows what his last meal would be from the menu.

“If God takes me tomorrow, I’m going with the Zuppa di Clams over rigatoni,” he said. “That’s my go-to meal.”

Current residents and people who have since moved but miss the establishment feel strongly as well about the food. What makes it even more special is the strength of Tyahla’s roots in Clifton.

“It feels good to be a business owner in the same town that you grew up in,” he said. “I always say, ‘Do you know how lucky we are to have places here for so many years?’”

Tyahla named other popular establishments like The Hot Grill or Rutt’s Hut, which are known all around the country and are similarly regarded as Clifton fixtures. “To be considered a popular fixture — that feels pretty good.”

Matthew’s Italian Restaurant. Everything that I have ever eaten there is fabulous.

- Terry Braun Kronz

I love Henry’s or Agamies for a good sandwich. Nina Sennert Klett The Original Jumbo’s and Sabrett.

Dave Martina

Jaimito’s! Delicious Peruvian-Chinese food with an amazing staff.

- Angel Arturo

Curitomai Matias

8 Market St. • 973-272-8202

Euro Cafe 211 Dayton Ave. • 973-928-2599

European Grill & BBQ 224 Parker Ave. • 973-928-1680

Francesca’s Bakery 70 Market St. • 973-955-4458

Fratelli’s Pizza & Pasta 457 Clifton Ave. • 862-225-9999

George’s Coffee Shop 227 Parker Ave. • 973-546-0920

Gigi’s Baked Goods 290 Lakeview Ave. • 973-246-7014

Golden Palace 403 Piaget Ave. • 973-478-2899

Happy Belly Cafe 616 Van Houten Ave. • 973-594-8888

Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant 1154 Main Ave. • 973-614-0601

Happy Vegans / Çi Köfte 1279 Main Ave. • 973-928-1303

Henry’s Delicatessen & Catering 1224 Van Houten Ave. • 973-473-1118

Hi Good Stuff 603 Van Houten Ave. • 973-777-7778

Homemade Pirogi 1295 Main Ave. • 973-340-0340

Honest Restaurant 60 Main Ave. • 973-685-7650

Hong Kong Restaurant 259 Lakeview Ave. • 973-546-6667

Hornitos Bakery 1094 Main Ave. • 973-272-8899

Hot Bagels Abroad 859 Clifton Ave. • 973-591-0661

Hot Grill 669 Lexington Ave. • 973-772-6000

Hunan Wok 859 Clifton Ave. • 973-778-0818

IHOP 680 Rt. 3 West • 973-471-7717

IL Posto Eatery 754 Clifton Ave. • 973-773-3737

Mario’s Restaurant & Pizzeria is undeniably the best restaurant in town, and its significance in my family’s history is nothing short of heartwarming.

It holds a special place in our hearts, because it was the destination of choice for my parents’ makeshift honeymoon. Lacking the funds for an extravagant getaway, they decided to celebrate their love and embark on their marital journey at Mario’s Clifton.

That humble beginning set the stage for countless cherished memories. As I grew up, Mario’s became a fixture in our lives. Every week, my family — including my uncle, aunt, and godmother — would gather at this casual establishment to indulge in cuisine and savor each other’s company.

The familiar faces of the staff, the cozy ambiance, and, of course, the mouthwatering dishes made Mario’s Clifton feel like an extension of our own home. Even today, my family and I continue to frequent Mario’s Clifton, and it never fails to impress. Mario’s not only has the best pizza in Northern NJ (try the Emma with bacon, onions, and peppers), but their menu offers a diverse range of Italian and American delights. Every dish is prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail (buffalo wings and buffalo shrimp are great).

The warm and welcoming atmosphere remains unchanged, providing a comforting backdrop for family gatherings and special occasions. Mario’s stands out as a symbol of enduring tradition and unparalleled culinary excellence. Its role in our family’s history is a testament to its exceptional quality and the power of food to bring people together.

- Ihor Andruch

I live in Massachusetts now, but I miss Mario’s “Emma Style Pizza” and their mussels. There were so many family times there when we lived in Athenia. My dad and Mario were great friends. He even tended bar there after the war.

It’s time for another trip to Clifton!

- Barbara Giovacco

Mario’s Pizza on Van Houten Avenue. I have been eating there for 50+ years now.

- Dan Rooney

Ino Sushi

116A Market St. • 973-815-0801

Istanbul Cafe & Restaurant 1378 Main Ave. • 862-238-8888

It’s Greek To Me 852 Rt. 3 West • 973-594-1777

Iyagi 1578 Main Ave. • 862-249-1277

Jaimito’s Chinese Restaurant 389 Lexington Ave. • 973-546-2549

Jamie’s Cigar Bar and Restaurant 915 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-779-8596

JJ Peruvian Restaurant 312 Lexington Ave. • 973-772-1112

Joe’s Crab Shack 405 Allwood Rd. • 973-777-5114

Kamil’s Lebanese Cuisine & Hookah Lounge 1489 Main Ave. • 973-772-1972

Taste of Tuscany and Ameti’s Pizza.

- Valerie Liska Dohm

Kanoon Restaurant 349 Hazel St. • 862-238-8383

Kebab Platters 1193 Main Ave. • 973-478-2211

Slice City on 7th Street, just off Route 46 and next to Krauser’s.

- Ginny Garvey Kostisin

Village Pizza or Bruno’s — they both have great pizza.

- Lizz Bumbera Gagnon

La Posada 1055 Main Ave. • 973-779-4947

La Victoria 1295 Main Ave. • 973-955-6267

La Cantina Mexicana 709 Van Houten Ave. • 973-313-5317

La Fortaleza 590 Lexington Ave. • 973-478-7700

La Kokona Clifton

327A Lakeview Ave. • 973-246-1063

La’Ziza 341 Crooks Ave. • 973-772-2700

Lakeview Bagel & Deli 78 Lakeview Ave. • 973-478-2050

Lakeview Bakery 308 Lakeview Ave. • 973-772-3837

Layalina Restaurant 1462 Main Ave. • 973-928-6870

Lexington Diner

351 Lexington Ave. • 973-478-2900

The Love of Grub

606 Van Houten Ave. • 973-928-0080

Macondo

1154 Main Ave. • 973-405-5028

Made in Miami Bar & Bistro 39 Harding Ave. • 862-304-0965

Maple Valley Diner 1116 Rt. 46 West • 973-473-6444

Mario’s Restaurant 710 Van Houten Ave. • 973-777-1559

Master Pizza Deli & Caterer 1326 Main Ave. • 973-772-4333

Matthew’s Italian Restaurant 1131 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-928-4300

Mausam Indian Curry N Bites 76 Market St. • 973-472-3663

Meiwei East Chinese & Pan Asian Bistro 86 Lakeview Ave. • 973-772-6666

I absolutely love the Portuguese Tavern on Crooks Ave. It is absolutely beautiful inside. Every time that I go, I get something different and I’m never disappointed. The flavors that the restaurant produces are astounding. The seafood, the meats, the appetizers, and the sangria are absolutely delicious. I think this is a true gem in Clifton—we’re lucky to have it.

- Joseph Siano

Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque 850 Rt. 3 West • 973-777-8340

Moe’s Southwest Grill 852 Rt. 3 West Suite 244 • 973-773-1700

Mountainside Inn 509 Hazel St. • 973-772-1333

By Ariana Puzzo

Deliciously Legendary

The food in Portugal may be considered a closely guarded secret, but it’s not hard to figure out why the Portuguese Tavern Steak House remains a Crooks Avenue deliciously legendary landmark.

If a friendly and affordable, home-like atmosphere is the seafood base, the dedication and hard work of Luis Filipe Costa Silva is the “sauce” that pulls the gastronomy experience together and brings repeat customers through the restaurant’s doors.

Portuguese Tavern, 507 Crooks Ave., is a dining destination on the Clifton/Paterson border for families to enjoy a meal together or where the working man can sit at the bar watch soccer, chat with a date or his friends.

Owner Silva — addressed by many as “Filipe” — and his wife, Ana Cleide Almeida, hope all their customers feel the same welcoming environment that they have striven to provide for their workers.

“I really appreciate the customers,” said Filipe, 49. “When they come into the restaurant, I try to treat the customers like my family.”

The restaurant’s nearly 35-year history in Clifton continues to evolve, much like the city’s diverse business landscape.

Former owners Sergio Fernando Gave and Serafim Silva opened its doors in 1989. Both men possessed the desire to serve a fusion of Portuguese and Spanish dishes. In Clifton Merchant’s August 2014 edition, one of the most important things for the men was seeing customers take food home with them, because it told them that they did their jobs well.

Fast forward to July 1, 2021 — the restaurant was under new ownership. Filipe and Ana have owned the dining establishment for the past two years. Although it’s a new role for Filipe, it’s not his first within the restaurant industry.

“I’ve been working for almost 30 years in the restaurant industry … and the most important thing is that you have to stay in the business almost every day,” he said. “It’s a lot of hours working.”

Those hours can create 16- to 18-hour work days, but Filipe knows how to put in the work. He is also aware that the first few years of a business come with their own unique demands.

“Normally, everybody in the business says that the first two-to-three years of a business is a little more hard,” Filipe said. “I’m working very hard.”

The Costa Silva family: Diogo, Luisa, Ana Cleide, Luis Filipe, Ana, Jessica

Full of Heart

Before feeding Clifton, Filipe got his start in his native Portugal.

He went to school and worked as a chef, later taking these experiences with him to several New Jersey restaurants. Filipe’s résumé includes working as a chef at Newark’s Coimbra Restaurant, Solar Do Minho in Belleville and the since-closed Roselle Park location, Valenca in Elizabeth, and Adega Grill in Newark for almost 10 years.

His next move was to step into a different type of leadership role, with his own twist.

“I decided to come here because we don’t have many Portuguese restaurants in this area,” said Filipe. “I prefer this one, because [we offer] barbecue takeout.”

Along with maintaining a menu that is worth admiring, Filipe has taken further steps to make the restaurant into his own. The last two years have seen extensive renovations. The barbecue side was nearing completion during our midSeptember interview with Filipe with an expected finish date in two to three weeks. There is also new signage and his future plans for possibly the next year include renovating the bar.

Filipe is always trying new innovations for the menu as well. The restaurant’s website notes that along with bringing a “modern approach to old classics”, they use the best seasonally available ingredients for their dishes.

“It’s working very well,” said Filipe. “In a few months, I

am probably going to change the menu a little bit and add a couple more pastas, steak, and will change a couple dishes of the fish.”

Future expansion will also incorporate the ways that they provide food for people. Filipe said the restaurant is interested in further exploration of delivery and online options, as well as catering. The restaurant does already do take-out, which he said was highly beneficial during those early pandemic months.

“Thank God that I had the takeout. The takeout is very strong,” said Filipe. “We’re doing much, much better and are going up and up. Both with the bar and the barbecue side.”

Filipe and Ana are parents to six children, several of whom assist them with the restaurant. The ones who are old enough to do so help out with the bar and with shopping, as well as do tasks in the administrative office.

There are 16 people on staff, plus the husband and wife, which is essential given that the dining destination is open seven days per week. The Newark resident said that the most important part of what he does is ensuring “good quality, good service, good prices, and a good menu.”

That’s in terms of what they give customers.

There’s another thing that is important on their end, which is the advice he would give to others who want to pursue a similar career path. “Put your heart into whatever you’re doing,” he advised.

The staff makes it great at the Portugese Tavern: Eduardo, Davidson, Jose, Alfredo, Carlos, Juan, Lima, Diogo, Adolfo.

Mr. Cupcakes

1216 Van Houten Ave. • 973-859-0180

Muscle Maker Grill

1037 Bloomfield Ave. • 862-899-7111

Neil’s Pizzeria

57 Harding Ave. • 973-546-8889

New Corral

499 Hazel St. • 973-772-0941

New Taste of China

655 Van Houten Ave. • 973-777-3380

Noches de Colombia

25 Lake Ave. • 973-928-4553

Non Stop Chicken

64 1/2 Market St. • 973-272-6699

Off The Grill Mediterranean Restaurant

1348 Clifton Ave. • 973-777-3780

Ooka Sushi Hibachi Lounge

166 Main Ave. • 862-899-7005

Qahwah House

441 Crooks Ave. • 732-714-4038

Palenque Bar and Grill

283 Parker Ave. • 973-685-9070

Panera Bread

352 Rt. 3 West • 973-778-1436

Papa Johns Pizza

76 Lakeview Ave. • 973-253-7272

Park Pide Lahmacun

247 Crooks Ave. • 973-928-4202

Philly Pretzel Factory

859 Clifton Ave. • 973-826-0159

Empanada Spanish Grill. I’ve been going there for almost as long as they’ve been in business. It is a great family that runs the place (I can only remember the names of Abel and Seth, father and son), and they serve Latin cuisine. Not only do they make the best empanadas around, but they also have ready-to-go hot dishes (usually a choice between six different main course meats/protein, two different styles of rice, two different styles of bean, etc.).

They already have a loyal following, but they still deserve further recognition. My two runners-up are Il Posto (there is a great young guy running that place whose name is Michael Mele, and they have very good, authentic Italian food there) and Agamie Deli (under new ownership/management since May, and CJ is a very nice guy who is also serving up some good Italian dishes).

- Frank Samara

Pizza Hut

pizzahut.com

Plaza Bagel & Deli 850 Van Houten Ave. • 973-777-2094

Polish Deli Smakosz 634 Van Houten Ave. • 973-778-0007

Polonia Meat Market 785 Van Houten Ave. • 973-777-7355

Portuguese Tavern 507 Crooks Ave. • 973-772-9703

Public House 46 Sports Bar & Grill 1081 Rt. 46 East • 973-473-8184

Rancho Caribeño 1159 Main Ave. • 973-955-2207

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers 265 Rt. 3 East • 973-470-9222

Riman Lebanese Street Food 141 Crooks Ave. • 973-510-7056

The Rock Bar & Grill 414 Main Ave. • 973-916-1888

Roma Coffee Bar Restaurant & Pizzeria 312 Clifton Ave. • 973-272-2873

Rumba Cubana 2 South Parkway • 973-777-2999

Rutt’s Hut 417 River Rd. • 973-779-8615

Sam & Dee’s Deli 160 Hazel St. A • 973-772-2450

San Remo Pizzeria 1102 Main Ave. • 973-779-5885

Santa Brasa 1291 Main Ave. • 973-955-4999

Sawadeja Thai Restaurant 64 Market St. • 973-928-6777

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TODAY! Cliftonmagazine.com • October 2023 51

Last One In Pays The Bill

In the 70’s & 80’s, the Main Clifton was the place to meet

By Tom Hawrylko

Some 40 years ago when I was a rookie Clifton weekly newspaper editor, the Main Clifton was where the guys would meet Monday to Friday, at 10:15 am.

The long gone diner at the intersection of Main and Clifton Avenues, which went up in flames along with most of the entire corner in 2006, was the place for coffee and conversation with the movers and shakers of Clifton.

Clifton lawyer Glenn Peterson, who still practices today, invited me in as he had a legacy membership thanks to his dad, Harry, another long-time Clifton lawyer.

Courtesy Matthew S. Rinaldi, Clifton Tax Assessor

There was one rule for this group—that the last soul to enter and do the long walk back to the big reserved table would pay for all the coffees.

Already married and living on a $12,000 annual salary, this rookie editor would never be the last guy in.

But when I was there I was all ears. I was a 25-yearold kid trying to understand how government and business worked in a prospering Clifton, 1982.

Talk was fast, jokes flew even quicker and this all mens coffee clutch offered a pretty cool vibe. Guys would work an hour or two, then by 10 am walk up Main Ave. from surrounding offices. Around a big round table—I think the unofficial name was the Knights of the Round Table— they’d talk, joke, smoke, make deals. Back to the office for an hour, they’d be out again for lunch and more business.

Prior to city hall moving to its present location, it was at Harding and Main. The Main Clifton was full of life because lawyers, doctors and professionals had offices in what was then called Main Mall, above stores like Epstein’s, the Clifton Camera Shop or Industrial Stationary.

Most who attended are now gone but it was a roll call of Clifton’s movers and shakers from the 70’s and 80’s: Harry Peterson, Harry Fengya, Merv Montgomery, Mike Koribanics, John Koribanics, Don Hetchka, Henry F. Marrocco Jr. and a changing cast of journalists, politicians, developers and those who enjoyed the morning banter.

Real estate and insurance agent Ray Luchko seemed to be the prime organizer. A self-made Passaic kid who found the good life in his adopted hometown of Clifton, Luchko had his office on the corner of Getty and Clifton. Ray had one arm but could pull a cigarette from a pack and light the match like a magician or handle an axe or a rifle like a cowboy at his Pennsylvania farm.

Joints like the Main Clifton were cozy. Waitresses were quick with a refill or to take an order for a guy on the run. Then there was the Knights, the guys who made it in Clifton or those of us that were coming up, learning the ropes. It was exciting to be at the center of it all, listening and getting schooled on how business is often done—over morning coffee in a downtown diner.

From left, Clifton real estate man Ray Luchko with Passaic County Judges Nick Mandak and Pete Ciolino. Above right, some more of the morning coffee crew: Harry Fengya, Harry Peterson, Don Hetchka. Also on the facing page is Tom Hawrylko in 1982 with Barbara DiDonna, Bill Walters and then-Mayor Gloria Kolodziej when Hawrylko wrote Clifton’s slogan.

Schnitzel Express

600 Getty Ave. • 973-772-0544

Shaking Crab

1168 Broad St. • 862-225-9996

The Shannon Rose Irish Pub 98 Kingsland Rd. • 973-284-0200

Sharky’s Wings & Raw Bar

545 Highland Ave. • 973-473-0713

Slice City

150 7th St. • 973-478-3050

Smashburger

700 Rt. 3 West • 973-777-3600

Sombrero Tacoria

850 Van Houten Ave. • 973-246-7645

Sportzone Bar & Grill

593 Van Houten Ave. • 973-859-0433

Spring Garden 787 Van Houten Ave. • 973-773-0756

Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas 70 Kingsland Rd. • 973-661-2435

Starbucks (3 Clifton Stores)

starbucks.com

Stew Leonard’s Wines of Clifton 345 Allwood Rd. • 973-859-7700

Styertowne Bakery

1039 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-777-6193

Subway (3 Clifton Stores) subway.com

Sultan Palace 429 Crooks Ave. • 973-772-1995

Mario’s, Tick Tock Diner, and Rutt’s Hut.

- Marc Recasino

The Love of Grub.

- Rich S. Mariso

I love Toros.

- Madonna Kochka

Bagel Station and Rutt’s Hut.

- Syd TheKydd

Rutt’s Hut is the best.

- Yvonne Ramirez Rivera

Jamie’s Cigar Bar & Restaurant.

- Lori Ann LoGioco

Tacos Matamoros 213 Parker Ave. • 973-772-0886

Taita Kitchen Peruvian Restaurant 405 Lexington Ave. • 973-478-5955

Taste of Home Catering 246 Dayton Ave. • 973-500-3420

Taste of Tuscany 1051 Bloomfield Ave. • 973-916-0700

Taqueria Los Gueros 590 Rt. 3 West • 201-893-7944

Tick Tock Diner 281 Allwood Rd. • 973-777-0511

Tio Taco + Tequila 850 Rt. 3 West #105 • 973-773-5044

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap 826 NJ-3 West • 973-955-0316

Tony’s Pizza Pasta Grill

755 Van Houten Ave. • 973-928-4500

Toros

489 Hazel St. • 973-772-8032

Troops Subs

1212 Van Houten Ave. • 973-365-1544

Uno Chicago Grill

426 Rt. 3 West • 973-574-1303

Valley Family Deli

117 Valley Rd. • 973-341-2070

Villa Pizza

290 Lakeview Ave. • 973-546-5707

Villa Roma Pizzeria

849 Clifton Ave. • 973-472-4833

Wendy’s 83 Main Ave. • 973-661-1898

White Castle 1341 Main Ave. • 973-772-0335

Wingstop

1578 Main Ave. • 862-225-9464

Yasmeen Mediterranean Cuisine

247 Piaget Ave. • 973-928-3766

Wize Guys Brick Oven Pizzeria & Restaurant

353 Crooks Ave. • 973-772-3535

Yesterdays Bar and Grille

70 Main Ave. • 973-235-1766

Yummy Bakery

353 Crooks Ave. • 973-272-8901

Yuki Hana

849 Clifton Ave. • 973-955-2755

I develop a craving for a slice of Bruno’s Sicilian on a not-infrequent basis.

Ricky Bagolie

Filling Empty Bowls at The Haven

Join St. Peter’s Haven to help fight hunger and support food security at an Empty Bowls event on Nov. 10 from 6–9 pm at the Masonic Lodge, 1496 Van Houten Ave. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort, where artists, art organizations, and restaurants and bakeries raise money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.

Next month, Empty Bowls is coming to Clifton in conjunction with St. Peter’s Haven’s “Eat Drink Give” fall fundraising partnership with local restaurants. The Haven encourages guests to enjoy a bowl of artisan soup, bread, and dessert from local restaurants and bakeries. You’ll not only enjoy dining but you also get to take home the bowl as well. Cost is $30. Reserve a place at saintpetershaven.org or call 973-546-3406.

Some participating restaurants include: All Surf No Turf, Allwood Diner, The Barrow House, The Clif, Jaimitos, Pizza Man Trattoria Italiano, The Shannon Rose, and Tino’s Artisan Pizzeria. Take home a hand-crafted soup bowl, as well as pint containers of soup/chili for $10 each.

That’s not all — are you craving a dish of delicious borscht? Piast Catering is donating Borscht Ukrainian Style, with plenty of vegetables. You can also thank Taskin Bakery & Cafe of Paterson and Tino’s Artisan Pizza in Montclair. The bakery is on board to donate the bread and baklava, while Tino’s will provide our fill of Escarole and Bean Soup.

Another feature is Harpist Laura Perrius. She is a longtime resident who raised three children who were all active in the Clifton Mustang Band. Perrius, who taught

music in Glen Ridge for 25 years, began playing the harp just before the coronavirus pandemic. She has previously performed at the Clifton Public Library and the Clifton Arts Center.

Featured potters for the event are Groundhog Blues Pottery, Emma Tabachnick Pottery, Irene Tsakiris, Beth Heit, Dawn Hein, and Mudspinners (Kathy Peck). Vicky Lederman did not donate pottery, but she contacted the NJ Potters Guild to connect the Haven with other potters.

St. Peter’s Haven Food Pantry, the city’s only food pantry, currently provides a week’s worth of food onceper-month to over 1,400 households.

“No matter who you are and where you live, it is more than likely that a family member, friend, or neighbor is making a trade-off between important basic needs, such as housing, medical bills and purchasing foods,” said the Haven’s Acting Executive Director Pam Fueshko.

According to Fueshko, over 900,000 New Jersey residents, and 1 in 10 children, struggle with hunger and food insecurity. St. Peter’s Haven witnessed a 47% increase since the end of 2022 in the number of households needing food assistance following a reduction in SNAP benefits. “We are hosting Empty Bowls to raise awareness of the need in our community,” said Fueshko. “The empty bowl itself is symbolic as a vessel that represents potential for growth and promise.”

Clifton is a growing garden of diversity. Just look around at the food markets and restaurants that have sprung up in recent years. They really reflect this re markable evolution.

Not long ago, Corrado’s, that landmark on Main Ave., was the apex of diversity. And really, it still holds that title. What started out as a simple Italian market has grown into an international food bazaar.

But Clifton wasn’t always all that diverse when it came to food.

Sure, you could always count on getting a great burg er, bagel, hot dog or pizza in every neighborhood around town. You still can.

Clifton’s classic food palaces like The Hot Grill and Mario’s will always be with us (we hope).

But something else is happening there is an evolution in dining in every neighborhood.

Just drive or walk through any of our business districts or neighborhoods and look around.

Where else can you find a Polish pirogi shop—Homemade Pirogi—a Mexican restaurant—El Mexicano—a Peruvian restaurant—Santa Brasa—and a Columbian specialty deli—La Victoria—all on the same block?

It’s right across from our office in Downtown Clifton and it’s just the start of our international food court here. Continue toward Passaic on Main Ave. and you’ll visit eclectic Bohemian Bistro and the Turkish-inspired Happy

Vegan at Luddington Ave. Near Washington Ave. you’ll find Aji Limon. Peruvian specialties with an Asian and Spanish accent in a comfortably elegant yet somehow casual atmosphere. One of the favorite dishes here is Pescado a Lo Macho, a fish fillet served in a creamy seafood sauce.

Across the street at Burger+, where Midtown Grill once stood, you can feast on 100% Halal burgers and milkshakes, as well as gyros or Greek salad.

That’s just downtown. Check out the Lakeview section where restaurants like Jaimito’s on Lexington Ave. are thriving. This small establishment actually serves up a blend of Chinese and Peruvian food.

Luis and Kathiuska Vera Tudela and Yanina Zampetoulas of Santa Brasa, which opened this year in Downtown Clifton. At right, Alberto Molina outside of the landmark Mario’s on Van Houten Avenue.

Danielle Stauhs, sisters Christina and Donna Ploch with dad Rudy.

Garden OF Diversity

Not too far away on Lakeview Ave., Con Sabor a Peru offers several different types of Ceviche, which is basically raw seafood marinated for hours in the juice of citrus fruits — lemons, oranges and principally limes.

Then there’s Portuguese. Why go to Newark’s Ironbound section when you can come on over to Crooks Ave. in Clifton?

The Portuguese Tavern features huge portions of mouthwatering delights like filet mignon and baby lobster tails.

And there’s no shortage of Polish delis and Eastern European kitchens in the Clifton area.

If you crave kielbasa, you won’t want to pass up the popular Polonia Meat Market on Van Houten Ave. for a wide variety of Polish ethnic foods. For holiday hams, homestyle smoked sausage, poppyseeds, walnuts and lekvar, head to the other side of town. The Hungarian Meat Center on Parker Ave. is actually in Passaic, just across the border from Botany Village. Here you’ll discover store made salami, solena, which is the fat back of a pig and perfect on a grill, as well as smoked bacon and sausages and other Hungarian foods.

For classic Chinese fare, head over to Hunan Wok on Clifton Ave. The counterserve spot offers Sichuan and Hunan options. Customers can also request takeout and delivery for their boneless spare ribs and dumplings. Warm up with a pint of Wonton Egg Drop Soup, and you’re set.

Cross town and out on Rt. 3 you’ll find a destination Irish watering hole in The Shannon Rose at Clifton Commons.

Here a big basket of fish ‘n chips starts with whole fillets of cod and fresh beer batter. Top it off with malt vinegar and salt to satisfy your Gaelic craving.

Clifton is the 11th largest municipality in New Jersey with a population of 90,296, according to the 2020 census.

But you don’t need statistics to tell you Clifton is growing into one of the most diverse cities in New Jersey.

Clifton’s population is represented by a rainbow of nationalities and ethnicities.

Walk around your neighborhood, and you may very well bump into someone who is Italian, Irish, Mexican, Turkish, Afghan, Syrian, Macedonian, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, German, Jordanian, Pakistani, Indian, Korean or Native American. Did we leave anybody out?

No doubt.

Lots of different people living close together - that’s the perfect recipe for really good food.

Some of today’s food culture here in Clifton can be traced back to two of our neighbors, Paterson and Passaic. Paterson is home to some of the state’s largest Dominican, Peruvian, Arabic and Turkish populations.

And Passaic has a huge concentration of Mexican-Americans.

These ethnic influences from neighboring towns tend to flow across the border into Clifton, blending in with the best of our restaurants.

The result is a food lover’s paradise.

Great food is so much a part of the culture of our community whether we enjoy it at a restaurant or discover it at the market or on the farm.

And Clifton is fertile ground for farmland.

So fertile, that way back in 1684, Dutch settlers were attracted to the land, built homes here and established family farms.

The legacy of the Dutch settlers lives on to this very day. In fact, one of Clifton’s older and more charming neighborhoods is historic Dutch Hill, which stretches approximately from Clifton Ave. to the Passaic border between Paulison and Main Aves.

What the Dutch started doing with the land centuries ago is carried on by a new generation of farmers in the 21st century.

Richfield Farms on Van Houten Ave. is about as old as the city of Clifton itself; five acres of fresh tomatoes, string beans, peppers and other delicious produce right in the heart of town.

Ploch’s Farm on Grove St. proudly boasts one of the largest fresh fruit and vegetable stands in the county. Unfortunately the produce is so freshly grown it’s only available in August when the crops come in. Owner Rudy Ploch tells us “it’s all fresh, that’s what people want, they want fresh. If we run out of corn, we go pick some more. People will wait. They know it’s fresh when they see the stem crack off the corn.”

Ploch says they have it all “a to z” arugula to zucchini on the 15-acre farm. Not to mention freshly picked peaches, tomatoes, corn, peppers and beets.

Ploch says he’s amazed that “people can’t believe this place is in Clifton.”

Believe it. The farm has been around since 1867, sloping all the way up from Grove St. to Garret Mountain, surviving development, droughts and deluges.

And things are looking pretty good just across the street from Ploch’s where you’ll find City Green at Schultheis Farm for your pick of collards, cucumbers, squash and green beans all grown on five lush acres of fertile soil.

The land was owned and farmed by the Schultheis family for more than a century. It was up for sale in 2006 and purchased by the city. Today it is maintained by City Green, a non-profit that promotes urban farming on open land and underused spaces, while also providing a working setting to give local children hands-on gardening experience.

Great farms, an explosion of international food markets, and fine restaurants representing diverse cultures from across the planet. Clifton is a dining destination.

It’s all right here. So let’s eat!

A look inside Beirut Restaurant in Downtown Clifton and a curbside look at Botany’s Cafe Bubarama. Below, a toast at Cafe Roma near the corner of Clifton and Main.

One hundred and fourteen years ago several local newspapers tracked the wanderings of a creature named “What-Is-It,” “Vampire” or the more familiar “Jersey Devil” as it traversed Paterson.

The first supposed sighting of the What-Is-It was Jan. 24, 1909, on Spring St. as it flew over John Fisher’s stable and warehouse.

Resident Harry Montrose’s mother woke him at 5:30 am on a Sunday morning after hearing noises around the house.

Montrose ran to the window and glimpsed “a shadow of some sort of animal equipped with long legs and mammoth wings.”

The creature left foot prints in the yard resembling “prints of a pony with the exception that there were only two instead of four.”

A sighting of the beast over Haledon was reported, “but William Buschmann, owner of High Mountain, says they don’t have such things in that progressive community.”

“VAN WINKLE SPIED THE VAMPIRE FIRST AND FLED INTO THE RICHFIELD HOTEL FOR HIS TRUSTEES.”

...THE VAMPIRE WAS HEADED RICHFIELD WAY STATED A WIRELESS MESSAGE SENT BY HENRY HOHENSTEIN, AND IN SHORT ORDER A SLAUGHTER BRIGADE WAS ORGANIZED.

Monday’s Paterson Daily Press noted that “yesterday was Sunday and that the Bishop’s law was in effect and no booze could be obtained in Paterson— that is, hardly any.”

The What-Is-It was described as a “combination of a bird, ram and snake; bird-beast that can fly faster than a hawk or run speedier than a deer; the size of a sheep and having large wings and a head that resembled that of a mule.”

The Paterson Evening News described it “as having the body of a kangaroo, the head of a dog, the legs of a human being, the hoofs of a horse, and the wings of an eagle; this strange creature has been ‘seen’ by persons whose sobriety is vouched for in many different sections of this state.”

A trolley-car motorman said “on his first trip out the Vampire kept up with his crew... until near Little Falls; the beast had goat legs and very wide spreading wings, and at times it ran and then again it flew, having no difficulty in keeping pace with the trolley-car. The motorman, a reputable man said he is ready to swear to the truth of the statement and desires it noted that all this occurred on his first run in the morning, when his head was clear and eyesight keen.”

Did the Jersey Devil find its way to Richfield via the Morris Canal as seen here at the Van Houten Avenue bridge?

During its last day in Paterson, the What-Is-It was reported to have been shot a dozen times. A saloon keeper described how he shot the beast “as it winged it way across the chasm bridge at the falls.” The saloon keeper’s trophy was lost as the Vampire fell “into the falls basin and disappeared under the ice floes.”

The South Jersey Vampire’s saga did not end there.

It arose “out of its watery grave and if it sees fit to remain hereabouts more lurid tales, vouched for by temperate [and] sensible people will come forth.”

On Jan. 28, 1909—with its terrified readers hanging on its every word—the Paterson Evening News’ headlines blared: “The Vampire is Dead!”

The article described the dramatic and bloody demise of the terrible “What-Is-It,” exclaiming the “fierce Jersey Devil is said to have finally met its end in Richfield.

“At last, after being almost caught scores of times and put to death, the Jersey Devil, or Vampire, that has excited so much comment in the papers, is finally no more.

“The fool bird went to Richfield and the marksmen in that place got their sights on the peek hole in their shotguns and the bird was smashed into smithereens.

In a nod to the technology of the time, the paper de-

scribed, “Sam Van Winkle, Carl Jones and Claus Winkle got wind that the Vampire was headed Richfield way by a wireless message sent by Henry Hohenstein, and in short order a slaughter brigade was organized.

“Van Winkle spied the Vampire first and fled into the Richfield Hotel for his trustees. They offered to treat the bird if it would fly into the barroom, but the bird was not taking any chances with Richfield tavern liquor.

Mustering up their spunk, the men made a flank movement, got under the bird, which was in mid-air, and riddled it with bullets.

Sure that it was dead, they approached the prostrate animal, which had been described in such a glowing manner by hundreds, as being the most monstrous object imaginable.

“They found that it was nothing more or less than a huge horned owl. In justice to the captors it must be mentioned that when the bird looked like a dragon to them it was exceedingly dark. At any rate, the Vampire is no more…”

For nearly a week, the Jersey Devil had frightened Clifton and the surrounding cities, causing residents to look over their shoulders for fear of being stalked by a monster. Finally, the legend was put to rest.

Happy Halloween!

JERSEY DEVIL IN RICHFIELD JAN. 24, 1909

• State Farm Agent Thomas Tobin

• Corradino & Papa, LLC

• Pina Nazario, Realtor

Coldwell Banker Realty

• Clifton FMBA 21 Members

• Clifton Fire Prevention Bureau

• Clifton Fire Department

• Asm John McKeon

• Mr. Cupcakes

• Shook Funeral Home

• Downtown Clifton

Cooking Safety starts with YOU. October is Fire Safety Month, and the Clifton Fire Safety Coloring & Activity Book for Kids is once again available. The booklet is published at no cost to the taxpayers as Tomahawk Promotions, Clifton Merchant Magazine and a variety of local businesses and schools have banded together to pay for the booklet’s printing and support city fire prevention efforts.

The activity and coloring book is designed for kids, grade 3 and younger, and urges families to check the dates on their smoke alarms and contains other helpful fire prevention tips.

During October, Clifton firefighters will visit local public and private schools to talk about fire safety and distribute the booklets.

In case you did not get a copy, the Clifton Fire Safety Coloring & Activity Book for Kids booklets are also available by calling 973-470-5801.

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Paramus Catholic High School

Open House - Oct. 18, 6:30-8pm

• P & A Auto

• Clifton IHOP

• Tenafly Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

• The Original Jumbo’s Hot Dog & Italian Ice

• Athenia Veterans Post and specifically...

Cmdr. Kevin Gorman. 1st Vice Malvin Frias. 2nd Vice Kenny Gadosky. Trustee Gregory Donetz. Members Pasquale D’Alessio, Steve Halata, Daro Melendez.

Back to Lakeview and the

For many, Clifton Merchant is more than a magazine. It’s a chance to go home again. One who travels back is Lakeview native Lou Williams, who now lives in Hackettstown.

Born on the kitchen table at 72 Piaget Ave., Williams loves reading about his hometown. A few years back, he sent in this picture of his 1949 Lakeview Lions, a team run by late classmate and newspaper publisher Alex Bidnik.

“Alex was always the captain,” Williams recalled. “He organized the team, signed up the players, and handed out the schedules—total control. Alex was a regular George Steinbrenner…before there was George Steinbrenner.”

As a boy, Williams remembers the temporary U.S. Army base set up at Nash Park during World War II, and play-

ing in foxholes left behind on the hill overlooking the Passaic River. With friends like Bob Zschack—the legendary Voice of the Mustangs and former CHS teacher—he would spend nearly every summer day at the park, playing baseball games like ‘One Old Cat.’

“We loved it,” he said. “Playing like we did, we got to bat 30 times a day. In Little League, the kids only get to bat three times a game.”

Another Nash Park memory was playing for Post 8 and catching balls off the bat of the great Billy DeGraaf.

“Joe Popek was our coach,” he recalled. “I was a little guy, trying to make the team. I was in the outfield when Billy came up to hit. He knocked this ball way back into dead

Here’s a view, from pre-Little League (and pre-Nike) days, of the 1949 Lakeview Lions. Top, from left: Charles Matt, Bill ‘Red’ Posednic, Ed Zych, Emil Kilianski, Bob ‘Harry’ Santin, John Van Tuyle and Alex Bidnik. Bottom row: ‘Birdie’ Zirger, Stanley Kaminski, Lou Williams, who turns 89 on Oct. 8, and Bob Grimes. Not pictured: Joe Bioler, ‘Greek’ Kabash and Ed Looney.

centerfield. I ran after it, crashed through the forsythia bushes, and slammed into the fence making the catch—best one I ever made in my life. “As I held up the ball to show I caught it, I heard Popek yell, ‘Great hit, Billy!’”

Though his catch was ignored, Williams did get a chance to shine because of Billy. DeGraaf missed a game and Williams took over for him behind the plate. “I guess that makes me Billy DeGraaf’s back-up,” he laughed.

Williams also remembered nights at School 11 when a sheet was hung outside and 16 mm movies and cartoons were shown.

While this magazine lets him go home every month, there is nothing like a trip back to Clifton. On a recent trip, Williams took his grandson to see Nash Park and the home where he was born. “We had lunch in the Hot Grill, which he thought was the greatest place in the world. In fact, I have to go back to get him a t-shirt.” Until he does, Williams will continue to go home every month with Clifton Merchant Magazine.

“I grew up during a wonderful time,” he stated. “I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Happy 89th Lou!

What makes Clifton so great? When two former Clifton legends and longtime friends reconnect. We heard last month from Peter Vasil, who reunited with Dr. Rick Paternoster, DDS. Paternoster and his father, Doc, worked for years at Doc’s dental practice on Getty and Clifton Avenues. The son is now retired at his new home in Allenwood with his wife, Mary. Vasil, whose oldest sister and her husband attended Georgetown with Paternoster, has his own life update. The former Mustang basketball coach just received tenure in his third district. Previously a coach in Clifton and Plainfield, he’s now in Union City and will return to the Clifton Stadium, to attend the Oct. 20 Clifton–UC football showdown.

By Richard DeLotto

In March 2004, about two years after 9/11, I was working part time as a 26-foot truck driver, returning some audio and video equipment to a company in Fairfield when I was stopped by a squad of Port Authority cops right before the entrance to the Hudson Tunnel.

In front of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church in April 2010: John’s family: Sister Irene Lesiw with her son Bohdan, mother Slawka and brother Michael and Susan Skala, with their children Adrian and Victoria. They are pictured with bicyclist Tom Hawrylko who rode to Washington DC with the Police Unity Tour to raise funds and create awareness of Police Officers killed in the line of duty. John P. Skala was a NY/NJ Port of Authority Police Officer who died on Sept. 11, 2001 at the Twin Towers.

No one will ever know.

No guns were drawn, but they wanted to check my truck’s contents, my paperwork, and where I was going. This being two and a half years since 9/11, I could understand the concern. But four sets of eyes and nobody smiling can make you feel like Osama bin Laden very quickly.

After “yes sir-ing” them about five times, I identified myself as a Clifton fireman and still got X-rayed. Then I said, “I used to work with Johnny Skala occasionally. I was an EMT and he was a paramedic.”

The name was like magic.

It was as if four Pavlov dogs just heard a bell.

One cop went to the Police Academy with him, one used to work with him, and one guy knew someone who spotted him inside Tower 1 at the World Trade Center.

As many readers may remember, Port Authority Police Officer John P. Skala was one of 37 PAPD officers lost on 9/11. He was stationed at the Lincoln Tunnel, but volunteers were requested. He got to the Trade Center at about 9:20 am. He was seen bringing out a casualty, getting more supplies, and going back inside. Since most of the lobby casualties had been taken out, it has been assumed that John might have gone to help the rescue companies get trapped people out of closed elevators.

Tower 1 collapsed at approximately 10:30 am. They never found any trace of John Skala. No badge. No gun. The building fires burned until December. When I spoke with those police officers, I asked if anybody remembered John’s nickname. They all did.

Yash.

The NYC coroner has often referred to those victims of 9/11, over 900 of them who have not been identified with DNA, as having disappeared.

It’s just my opinion, but John didn’t fully disappear. He’s in Heaven, in a place reserved for very special people. It includes 343 New York firefighters, 37 PAPD cops, 23 NYC cops, five New York Department of Taxation officers, three New York court officers, one FBI agent, one Secret Service agent, one New York Fish and Game agent, and over 60 Port Authority employees who stayed in the towers to help and never got out.

That’s 478. It’s been 22 years since 9/11 and over 6,000 military personnel have lost their lives serving our country. I did not know Yash that well, but I’d remember hearing that he was an avid softball player.

Occasionally, I’ll see a bunch of guys playing softball and it will remind me of somebody very special.

You never forget the great ones.

Early Detection Saves Lives

By Ariana Puzzo

One Clifton is more than just a slogan — it’s how our community shows it cares.

The Clifton Public School District is reaching out to the entire city about Rainbows of Hope at St. Joseph’s Health. The hospital offers free screenings to detect the existence or warning signs of breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer.

The screenings are available to help better serve Passaic County women 21 and older and men 45 and older who are uninsured, low income, and undocumented. Call to make an appointment today at 973-754-3646 or 973-754-2705.

“It’s important to get checked. I know some people never go and think, ‘I feel fine’ … but I was fine,” said Kim Mouzon, a sixth grade Math teacher at CCMS. “I was diagnosed when I felt perfectly fine.”

After a seemingly routine mammogram and ultrasound last year, Mouzon received a call asking her to return for a follow-up biopsy. The biopsy showed that it was cancer, and two surgeries followed.

Mouzon and Chrissy Cole, who also teaches sixth grade Math at CCMS, are now spearheading the school district’s effort to emphasize the importance of annual checkups. Their goal is to help others who may not have the resources to help themselves.

“I want to reach out to people who are going through this so they are not going through it alone,” explained Mouzon.

St. Joseph’s University Medical Center provides bilingual patient navigators, who speak Spanish and Arabic, for these screenings.

Clifton kids are also involved through CCMS’ Character Education Club. The students, with the support of a grant from the Clifton Education Foundation, will use

their new sewing machine to sew “comfort bags” for St. Joseph’s oncology patients. Students also plan to make magnets with pink ribbons for families and staff as a reminder of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Proceeds from a separate district-wide Dress Down Day on Oct. 6 will support Susan G. Koman for the Cure.

“We are a team here,” said Mouzon. “If we can just save one life with early detection, it would be phenomenal.”

Kim Mouzon, Chrissy Cole and Character Club members below.

By Ariana Puzzo

Clifton residents have trusted Pina Nazario for 25 years, and the Realtor wants them to know it’s not only invaluable but greatly appreciated.

“It’s humbling to have lasted in such a competitive industry,” said Nazario, the co-founder of Pick Pina Group. “I’m blessed and feel grateful that they allowed me to help with their real estate needs.”

“To accomplish 25 years and meet [the community] is wonderful,” she continued. “There are so many different people that you meet in this business. It’s always a pleasure to … create lasting relationships with them.”

But her journey to a career in real estate wasn’t a straight line. The Jersey City native moved to Clifton in 1995. Prior to that, she attended St. Peter’s College and studied Accounting. Nazario worked for 10 years in the corporate world with UPS. During those years, she wed her husband, Ken, and the couple had two sons, Julian and Peter.

Nazario loved her corporate job, but she ultimately decided what was best for her family was for her to raise her sons for a few years. As they got a little older, she decided to pursue a new path with real estate. She grew up with an awareness of real estate, because her dad, Pietro “Peter” Giambarberi, was a contractor and did renovations.

“My dad was invested in real estate, so it was kind of always around me,” said Nazario, 57. “At the time, I thought that it would offer more flexibility — not realizing that I would build a business and be in it 25 years later,” she adds with a laugh.

A homebuyer’s melting pot

In those early years, mentorship in the industry didn’t exist how it does today.

Nazario started as a single agent and said that she learned a lot on her own by attending many webinars and through trial-and-error. Eventually she realized forming a team is what would help her continue to grow and best serve her clients. From 2010 to 2021, Nazario closed the most home sales in Clifton. Pick Pina Group earned that accolade as a team in 2022.

Along with holding a real estate license in New Jersey, Nazario holds several designations. The designations are Seller Representative Specialist, Accredited Buyer Representative, Short Sale and Foreclosure Specialist, and Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Nazario strives to leverage that knowledge and professional background so she can pay it forward to newer team members.

Serving Clifton homebuyers, from left, sons Peter and Julian Nazario, Pina Nazario, assistant Tom Loeffel, and Dominique Merlino.

One of the major highlights of her work is the opportunity to connect with a client during such a pivotal moment in their life and learn their story.

“You’re helping someone with one of their largest investments,” said Nazario. “You’re not only viewing their property, but you’re understanding their story.”

Nazario appreciates the city’s diversity. She sees it through her past and current involvement in areas like the school district’s HSAs, volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club, and supporting the Knights of Columbus and Saint Peter’s Haven.

She also identified it in how there is something for every potential homebuyer — whether it’s a young couple looking to buy their first home, an elderly couple downsizing, or someone looking for a small home, large home, or townhome.

“Some of these homes are long-time owned … so I will get a lot of history from [sellers] about particular areas and neighborhoods,” she said. “What they remember from back in the day to what it is now. There’s just a lot to offer.”

A family business

It’s not only a family affair for her clients. Nazario’s sons, Julian and Peter, decided to get their real estate licenses in 2013 and 2019. Both men attended School 2 and WWMS, as well as played Clifton Stallions Soccer. Today, they both remain in Clifton.

Julian and his wife, Ami Nydam, are raising their oneyear-old daughter. Nydam is a teacher at School 16 and is the daughter of retired Clifton Firefighter Scott Nydam.

Julian and Peter grew up in the business with Nazario, who said it was “really rewarding” to see them decide on their own to venture into the business.

Both men work at Pick Pina Group, which is affiliated with Clifton’s Coldwell Banker Realty, 789 Clifton Ave.

“Julian conducts himself professionally with clients and exhibits a maturity level above his years,” said Nazario. “Peter’s optimistic outlook on life extends to assisting clients in maintaining a positive mindset through the sales process. They bring their own dynamics and specialities to the business.”

Although she’s in the real estate industry for the foreseeable future, Nazario finds a sense of comfort knowing that the business will one day be in the hands of people who watched her build it.

“Some agents have to figure out what their exit plan is and when you spend a lot of time and energy creating something, it’s nice to know that you have something to pass on,” said Nazario. “They’re invested in the business because it’s a family business.”

“Not everyone works the same,” she conceded, “but we have the same focus with the business and the clients. We just love being part of the community where we live and helping community members.”

Here are the Mustangs of the Month for October 2023.

These four students, all student leaders, were selected by the vice principals at CHS, to be spotlighted for their personal achievements and school-wide contributions.

Sophomore Nicolle Paulino Angeles

Nicolle Paulino Angeles and her classmates are no longer among the youngest students at CHS and that means they’re starting to consider the future more.

The sophomore sees herself taking advantage of offered CHS programs in the future, because she believes that it will help her when she pursues higher education degrees.

“My main inspiration is my parents,” said Angeles (CHS 2026). “They always taught me to be respectful and to have manners.”

Angeles’ favorite subject is History. The sophomore said she likes learning the facts and what happened in the past. She’s involved with Student Council Association meetings and hopes to join more high school clubs, which she partially attributes to her success thus far.

“I have managed to be successful in high school by joining clubs, remaining myself, and keeping up with my grades at all times.”

Now the 10th Grade Class President, Angeles still has time to figure out what’s next for her at CHS. She will get to experience the guidance of new teachers, but mentioned her ninth grade social studies teacher as someone who’s already helped her achieve.

“The most influential teacher that I had was Mr. Stephen Sarsano,” said Angeles. “He was always energetic and supported me when I first ran for president.”

Junior Lamarr Olive

Lamarr Olive takes pride in his ability to think creatively while using his skills to problem-solve. A major hurdle that he’s overcome is learning how to feel comfortable with himself.

“As a student who never really fit in with a particular niche, I was often questioning my identity and where I would fit into the world,” said Olive (CHS 2025). “Gradually, I have begun to accept how I don’t want to fit into a certain stereotypical mold.”

Olive is certainly a diverse Mustang. He is a Varsity runner for XC and Track, a member of the Key Club, and the lead programmer on the Robotics team. His aspirations include becoming an entrepreneur and majoring in Engineering and Computer Science with a minor in Business at college.

His classmates elected him as the 11th Grade Class President. Although he’s a leader, he looks to others who inspire him.

One influential figure is his AP US History teacher, Christopher Henry, who Olive credits for pushing the class “to think about every pattern and system in society at a deeper level.”

Olive also appreciates his older sister.

“I view her hard work as a testament to how much you can accomplish if you set goals and work every day to turn those goals into a reality.”

Nicolle Paulino Angeles, Lamarr Olive, Mariam Gebril, Alias Ragsdale.

Senior Mariam Gebril

Burnout is a real issue, but Mariam Gebril prioritizes her mental, spiritual, and physical health to continue moving forward.

“Sometimes I feel like everyone wants a slice of me at once and I had to learn to set boundaries, say, “No”, and respect myself,” said Gebril (CHS 2024). “I learned I need to work with myself, not against myself, and taking care of my well-being is how I’ll be able to show my best in all those aspects. I just need that sacred space for myself and God,” she added.

Gebril is Key Club President and serves as the 12th Grade Class President after three years as president of her class. She interns at City Green, 171 Grove St., and partnered with the non-profit — plus, United Passaic Organization and the Passaic Boys & Girls Club — to create the Food Justice Fridge Initiative. The first community fridge will open in October.

“This is our effort to combat the dual issue of poverty and food insecurity by offering our communities the freedom to choose healthy, culturally appropriate, and free raw foods,” she said. “Food justice is true justice.”

Gebril’s personal goal is contentment.

“My goal is to lock in on my faith. Everything else will fall into place after that.”

Senior Alias Ragsdale

Student Council Association President Alias Ragsdale has big plans for the future and possesses the set of skills and determination to get there.

“After high school, I plan on continuing my education at a college located in New Jersey,” said Ragsdale (CHS 2024). “As an active and involved citizen of Clifton, I’ve thought about a possible run for the Board of Education once I graduate.”

Ragsdale intends to continue with his volunteer work in his hometown regardless of what comes immediately next for him. He is involved in many organizations, but CHS groups include the Student Union as president, the Varsity Track and Field team, and the National Honor Society.

His favorite classes are AP US History and Business Management. Ragsdale described facing a few hurdles in his first term as the CSU president in his sophomore year.

“We were still exiting the COVID-19 hybrid phase, which required me to work with my administration to adapt membership retention tactics and meeting routines,” he said. “We were very successful, though, and membership tripled by the end of the year.”

The senior is inspired by his parents.

“ They have raised me with a good work ethic, a moral foundation, and a positive attitude toward life,” he said.

23rd Annual Military Concert and Tattoo

Marching Mustangs among the performers

West Milford is abuzz as The Highlander Marching Band presents the 23rd annual celebration of music and movement—The Tattoo—on Nov. 11 at 6 pm.

Themed The Hive, the Highlanders offer a new take on music and movement that is making a buzz.

In addition to the Highlanders, other performers in the indoor musical showcase include the Claddagh Pipe Band, Bergen County Firefighters with Mag 7, the Colonial Musketeers Junior Fife and Drum Corps, and the Clifton Marching Mustangs.

Funds raised help support the Highlander Marching Band and their trip to the UK in the spring.

Opening with the classical Flight of the Bumblebee, it will feature the Highlanders saxophone quartet of Brennan Coulton, Ava Murphy, John Paolazzi and Colin Iwaszczuk.

That will be followed by Kiss from a Rose, a song by Seal made famous as part of the Batman Forever film soundtrack with a saxophone solo by Brennan Coulton.

Highlander Bagpipers take over the Hive after that. They will perform Imma Be a song by the Black Eyed Peas. The Highlanders will conclude their portion of the show with The Hive by Erik Morales.

Doors open at 5:30 and the musical call to colors will begin at 6.

From there, it’s a non-stop line up of moveable music on the gymnasium floor at West Milford High School, 67 Highlander Dr., West Milford. Get there early for best seats. Advance tickets range from $10 to $20 while kids under age 4 enter free. At the door, tickets are $20 for seniors and $25 for adults.

To purchase tickets, visit wmhighlanderband.com or mail checks before Nov. 1 to WMBPA, PO Box 603, West Milford, NJ 07480.

Meet the West Milford Highlander Drum Majors Natalie Casella and Colin Iwaszczuk and Pipe and Drums Major Ava Murphy who lead the Highlander Pipes and Drums.

But what’s a Tattoo?

The word dates to the 17th century British Army. Drummers marched through town to inform soldiers to return to their barracks.

Their beats were doe den tap toe (old Dutch for “turn off the tap”) instructing innkeepers to stop serving beer and send soldiers back to barracks. While the Highlanders will not be serving beer, the beats of seven bands will get you moving and keep you entertained.

For two decades, the Highlander Tattoo has become a must-see moving musical showcase of band precision, bagpipe glory and drum excellence.

The Tattoo has also become a way for the Mustangs and Highlanders to experience different genres of music and movement and to connect with other high school musicians. The Marching Mustangs perform their 2023 program on the gym floor, and will join the Highlanders and other bands for a grand finale salute to America’s veterans.

Highlander seniors include: Athan Burke, Rachel Cawley, Brennan Coulton, Russell Fleming, Lindsay Haftek, Christopher Huber, Colin Iwaszczuk, Daniel Krautheim, Emilio McDonald, Christopher O’Mahoney, Ava Murphy, John Paolazzi, Shawn Perry and Jonah Wells.

New Trimble Autobody, 214 Trimble Ave., has shown again that they are good neighbors. Owned by Vania and Ivo Rodrigues the business teamed up with the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program to provide two refurbished vehicles to local veterans in need. That’s Ivo Rodrigues, second from left, with daughter Brianna, his wife Vania, and their boys Michael and Jason. Also from left is US Army veteran Dickens Dumont who learned of the program through a vet organization named Move! He received a 2020 Chevy Equinox, while Diamonique Swindle, a US Air Force veteran, received a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The Rodrigues family said the annual program is made possible by the team at New Trimble as well as many local and regional firms which also contributed time, resources and funds to help America’s veterans.

The Michaels Organization and Regan Development will host a Volunteer Day on Oct. 13 from 9 am to 5 pm at Senior Horizon at Clifton. Staff from the senior center, 714 Clifton Ave., will organize multiple activities, from serving breakfast, providing entertainment and calling Bingo, and doing service work. Volunteers will pack and organize donated food items to support those in need. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. “Together, we can make a difference and contribute to the well-being of the Clifton community,” said Property Manager Gabriela Martinez Fleming. To help out write to gfleming@tmo.com or call 973-594-0058.

The Clifton Garden Club’s meeting is Oct. 10 from 6:30–8:30 pm at the Allwood Library, 44 Lyall Rd. Mary Jo Sichak, Rutgers Certified Passaic County Master Gardener, will discuss home garden wildlife and explain the importance of our home gardens as a habitat. Volunteer Garden Club members try to keep Clifton clean and green. Guests are welcome. Call Donna Fantacone at 973-473-0577.

The Clifton Arts Center presents “Poetry, Paintings & A Story” by Maria Mazziotti Gillan and Linda Hillringhouse until Oct. 14. Gillan is an award-winning, nationally known poet with more than 20 books to her credit. Hillringhouse has exhibited her work at many venues, like the Newark Museum, and is a first-place winner of the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award and a second-place winner of the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry. For more info, visit the CAC at 900 Clifton Ave. or go online to cliftonartscenter.org.

A Taste of Clifton Food & Wine Festival returns Oct. 16 at the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, 181 Colfax Ave, from 6:30–9:30 pm. It’s an evening when you can dine around Clifton and meet and greet friends in one evening stroll. Tickets are $50 or $450 for a table of 10 guests. Go to bgcclifton.org, select “Special Events”, then click “Taste of Clifton” to help sponsor the event. Regular donations can be made to the BGCC on their website’s homepage.

29. The parade kicks off at 12:15 pm and begins on Huron Ave., continues along Van Houten Ave., to City Hall.

No pre-registration is required. Participants should be at age-designated corners between 11:30 am and noon to register for the costume contest.

HarvestFest, at City Hall, begins at 11:30 am and features hayrides, arts & crafts, carnival booths, rides, and food until 4:30. Ride prices vary and only accept cash.

Pre-purchase $5 bags of game tokens or individual ride tokens for $1 each at the Rec Department, starting Oct. 10.

Volunteers, vendors, and non-profit organizations are always needed. Call Clifton Rec at 973-470-5956 for info.

But wait! That’s not all...

Clifton Rec’s 21st Annual Apple Pie Baking Contest is also Oct. 29, with drop-offs at City Hall from 1–1:30 pm. Pre-register online at cliftonrec.com. Winners will be announced between 2–2:30 pm at the HarvestFest.

The Scarecrow Building Contest will also be judged at the HarvestFest at 2 pm. The building contest registration deadline is Oct. 20. Scarecrows can be dropped off and displayed Oct. 23 – Oct. 28.

For contest rules and to register your family, visit cliftonrec.com. Events are free to enter for Clifton residents only; call Clifton Rec at 973-470-5956 for more info.

2023 SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION CLINICS

CLIFTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT

*DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE *

Location: Clifton City Hall Court Room, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013

Thursday, October 19th: 9:00am -11:00am

Tuesday, October 24th: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Tuesday, November 14th: 9:00am - 11:00am

Location: Botany Satellite Office 207 Parker Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011

Thursday, November 2nd: 3:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: Township of Little Falls

225 Main St., 2nd Fl, Little Falls, NJ 07424

Monday, October 30th: 3:00pm-5:00pm

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Cost: Free

Residents with Primary Medicare Part B Only and not enrolled in an HMO, please present your Medicare card at time of vaccination.

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Please call 973-470-5760 for more information on these clinics.

The flu clinics are open to residents of Clifton & Little Falls 6 years of age and older.

The Clifton Health Department is a contractual health agency serving the Township of Little Falls.

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) hosted a ribbon cutting on Sept. 20 to announce their move to larger facilities within the same building.

The hospital, next to Petco and near Tick Tock Diner at 790 NJ-3 East, is unique in that it has an open floor plan that allows pet parents to stay with their pets during all phases of treatment, including surgery and overnight hospitalization. Open 365 days per year, 24/7, VEG staff treats everyday issues and emergency needs.

Among the staff at the Clifton hospital is Dr. Adriana Calise, DVM, a familiar name and face to Cliftonites. She is seen, at center inset, holding one of VEG’s patients, Poppy.

Calise (CHS 1995) attended St. Lawrence University in upstate New York for her undergraduate studies. She

Prioritize mental health while playing PocketBook

Bingo on Oct. 15 at VFW Post 7165, 491 Valley Rd, from 1–4 pm. The event is a fundraiser to support specialized programs for children and families of the Mental Health Center of Passaic, which offers services in Passaic as well as two locations in Clifton. Advance tickets are $30 or $35 at the door and include 15 games of Bingo. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Must be 18 to play. Email info@mhcp. org or call 973-473-2775 ext. 202. The event includes coffee and dessert, as well as special prize raffles.

knew that she wanted to be a doctor and returned to Clifton after graduating. She worked at Richfield Farms while taking prerequisite courses before going to veterinarian school.

Calise graduated from St. Matthew’s University in the Cayman Islands and later completed her clinicals at Purdue University in Indiana.

She worked part time at the VEG during the COVID-19 pandemic and became a full-time Emergency Veterinarian over two years ago.

“I’ve been practicing for almost 13 years, and it’s the first time that I have practiced in the same city that I live in,” said Calise, 46. “I thought it would be difficult living and working so close, but I love not having to commute now and it’s rewarding to see people that you know.”

Join the Power of One’s “Stress, Anxiety, Grief” Support Group during the month of October for personal development. The workshops are open to everyone and the cost is complimentary. Improve or develop your coping skills, while working to reduce your stress and anxiety. Workshops are held the first and third Thursday of the month from 6:30–8:30 pm in the Clifton Senior Barn, 900 Clifton Ave. Future dates are: Oct. 19, Nov. 2 and 16, and Dec. 7 and 21. Email info@powerofoneccom.org to register or call Kim Castellano at 862-239-5905.

Millions have benefited from belonging to a Boys & Girls Club. Clifton’s Alumni Club is no different. That’s why The Club wants alumni to come back and help out. Sitting from left: Shannon Stumper, Greg Reinholt, Eva Vega-Olds, Barbara Dobol. Standing from left: Robert Foster, Maureen Cameron, Kelly Troller, Tim Kennedy, Lori Slater-Brigati, Robert Brigati. Stay connected with B&G Club Alumni. Call or write Maureen Cameron at 973-773-0966 ext. 144 or mcameron@bgcclifton.org.

Clifton’s Got Talent! on Oct. 11 is the Clifton Education Foundation’s 25th Anniversary fundraiser, from 5–9 pm at Uno Pizzeria and Grill, on Rt. 3 West. Come out to support and celebrate the CEF, a nonprofit volunteer organization that relies on fundraisers and community generosity to provide grants for special projects and initiatives in all Clifton Public Schools. The MC is CHS Choral Director Leo Weismantel. Sign up or become a donor at cliftoneducationfoundation.org. Be sure to stop by for dinner, drinks, and a night of fun and surprises. Tell your server that you are there to support the CEF and UNO will donate 25% of your bill to help support Clifton Public Schools. Follow the CEF on Instagram @cliftoneducationfoundation for exciting new announcements and updates.

The Clifton Education Foundation is delighted to welcome back former trustee Janet Kolano, who will serve as their Interim President for the 2023-24 school year. Kolano, a lifelong resident, has been a fixture in our schools for several decades as a student, parent, teacher, counselor, and administrator. “Her breadth of knowledge, warm demeanor, and strong leadership skills make her the ideal candidate

to lead the CEF into their 26th year of providing grants and scholarships to Clifton Public Schools,” said Communications Director Kim Nouhan-Puzzo. “Janet’s presence is energizing, and the CEF looks forward to one of their most successful fundraising years ever.”

Clifton Public School’s IMPACT Program received the NJ School Boards Association’s Annual School Leader Award for an exemplary program. IMPACT provides an individualized educational experience for students with disabilities ages 18 to 21. The goal is to provide support to students as they develop independent living and employment skills. Communication, teamwork, networking, and critical thinking are all key components of the CHS program that offers hands-on vocational experiences within our community. “This program has empowered our students to make a real difference in our community through service-learning projects,” said Superintendent Dr. Danny Robertozzi. “We congratulate everyone involved for this distinguished honor.” An NJSBA event will formally recognize Clifton Schools in the coming months and the IMPACT Program will be featured in School Leader magazine.

The Clifton Education Foundation’s 2023-24 Interim President Janet Kolano. Last month at the Clifton Street Fair, from left, Mayor Ray Grabowski, Clifton Education Foundation trustees Kim Nouhan-Puzzo, Patricia Lewis Roennau, and Loretta Ahmad.

The Clifton Hazardous Materials Control Board (HMCB) serves as the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for the city as per federal regulation. Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) was passed by Congress in 1986 in response to the 1984 chemical disaster in Bhopal, India.

HMCB addresses city hazmat planning and reporting for all levels of government as well as the private sector industry. The Board is an advisory body composed of 13 members appointed by council. They include staff from the city’s Building, Fire, Police and Health Departments, as well representatives

from industry, Chamber of Commerce, media, public, the Environmental Commission and Office of Emergency Management. Meetings are open to the public and are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 3:30 pm in the 1st Floor Conference Room at City Hall.

HMCB and Clifton Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team just celebrated its 35-year anniversary. For info, write: Jenn Terwilliger: jterwilliger@cliftonnj.org.

Some more details and information can be found at www.cliftonnj.org/176/Hazardous-Material-ControlBoard-HMCB.

History was made on Sept. 2 when the Puerto Rico flag was raised for the first time on the great lawn of city hall. Organized by Felicia Velasquez, the event celebrated Puerto Rican culture in America as well as the island which has been a US Commonwealth since 1952. Pictured from left: Fernando Rosa, Antonio ‘Go Go’ Gomez, Felicia Velasquez, Mayor Ray Grabowski, Prospect Park Councilwoman Esther Perez, and Passaic County Undersheriff Humberto Cuadrado.

Clifton Hazardous Materials Control Board members Paul Fen, Steve Shukatis, Jennifer Terwilliger, John E. Biegel, III, Fire Captain Kevin Danielson, Fire Inspector Michael Pressler, Victoria Kaufman, Fire Captain Jason Anzelmo, Joseph Patti (original member), Dean DeGhetto, Deborah Hoffman, and Clifton Police Detective Samuel Arnowitz.

Over 1,000 parishioners and friends attended the Festival at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, President St., on Sept. 17. Congressman Bill Pascrell helped to open the event after the second liturgy. Led by school children in poetry readings and the reading of the pledge of allegiance to the American and Ukrainian flags, Pastor Andriy Dudkevych cited Pascrell as “a long-time friend and someone we know we can count on.” Pascrell, who wore a Ukrainian Flag on his shoulders, was introduced by Marika Duplak of the Passaic Clifton UCCA. Pascrell’s message on Ukraine was clear: “We must help, and there cannot be any limits to that help,” he told the crowd. “The world is not thousands of miles away, it is here.” George Oliarnyk, president of the Nova UA FCU, the primary sponsor of the event, thanked the Congressman and then opened the stage to performances of dance and music.

A TRUE LEADER

It was an October 2021 game at Bauerle Field in Paterson between Clifton and host Eastside. Mustangs freshman quarterback Romelo Tables wasn’t going to get in the game, but you wouldn’t know it from the intensity with which he studied his iPad.

The young backup knew that with star signal-caller Kyle Vellis under center, he nearly certainly wouldn’t take a snap, but it didn’t matter. For Tables, the preparation itself was important enough. Mastering that would make him better. Everything else would take care of itself.

“I wanted to know the little things that Kyle did right or Kyle did wrong,” Tables recalled. “I wanted to know what the defense was doing. Plus, if Kyle ever got hurt, I wanted to be ready.”

Fast forward two years, and Tables is a bona fide star who already boasts scholarship offers from FBS schools UConn and Temple. He is Clifton football’s unquestioned leader, the offense’s heart and soul. His big arm is important, but his maturity is his most valuable attribute.

Early Guidance

He was taught the right way to approach the game from an early age. His father, Willie Tables, was a player for

Clifton in the late 1990s and became a trainer and mentor for his son from the moment the latter got fitted for shoulderpads. Willie coached Romelo on the Clifton Junior Mustangs 12U and 14U teams, and played an integral role in fanning his son’s competitive fire.

Tables found another role model in Junior Mustangs coach Steve Abill. Fiery and cerebral himself, Abill’s passion for the game and success as a youth coach made an impression on the young gunslinger that he still hasn’t forgotten. “It wasn’t only the love, but the standard Coach Steve had,” Tables said. “His team was always the best team out of all the age groups. He set the standard for all of the age groups. He was always there to mentor and I still talk to him all the time.”

Growing into a Mustang

Tables, like many future Mustangs, attended many CHS football games as a youth player. First, he played on Clifton Stadium’s away side practice field. Later, he began watching from the stands. He studied and prepared. As a 12U player, he had his first contact with Ralph Cinque, throwing a touchdown against Hackensack’s youth squad with the Mustangs’ head coach watching.

Story by Tom Szieber • Photo by Steve Cohen

The two developed a rapport quickly, and Cinque encouraged Tables to work with Madei Williams, a former Syracuse quarterback who has become one of the most respected coaches at the position in the Northeast, to fine tune his skills. Tables later came under the tutelage of Matt Simms, the former Don Bosco Prep and New York Jets QB whose Simms Complete QB is now one of the area’s top training programs.

“[Meeting Coach Cinque] was my first taste of high school football,” Tables said. “I think almost every kid who, as a freshman, wants to be good, you have to accept the advice he gives you so when he looks over, you’re ready to go.”

Tables never gave serious thought to playing for another coach or program. Spending his final youth season suiting up for Silk City Elite Athletics because the Junior Mustangs’ 2020 campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he played with a number of future parochial school athletes, but felt compelled to suit up for his hometown because of a love for Clifton and the absence of a reason to leave.

“My whole life I played for Clifton, and throughout my life the program has been good,” Tables said. “Going to the Stadium, there was always a standard. I never really thought about leaving. I never wanted to be disloyal. Coach Cinque helped to get me to where I am.”

Tests at Varsity Level

Tables spent his freshman season on the Mustangs’ varsity roster, sitting behind Vellis and watching him lead Clifton to a sectional title. He absorbed all he could and took over as the team’s starter in 2022. The Mustangs made the playoffs and finished 5-5. His first season as a starter was solid, as he went 58-for-109 for 584 yards, eight touchdowns (with just three picks).

The 2023 season, though, has

been tough, as a young squad stood at a mediocre 3-3 at the end of September with ugly losses to Paterson Eastside and Delbarton. Clifton’s schedule is brutal, and the Mustangs are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time during Cinque’s head coaching tenure (other than 2020, when the NJSIAA held no postseason).

Still, Tables’ focus hasn’t been shaken, nor has his headon approach in dealing with adversity. “Right now, we have the hardest [remaining schedule] of any team in our bracket,” he said. “But that is the way it has always been. We are at the point where we had our heads kicked in plenty of times. We know no one has been through what we’ve been through. When we play you, you’re going to see how hard we work. And you have to believe in your preparation.”

Mustangs know what makes good music, and Rich Campanella is no exception. The CHS 1975 grad has kept the dream alive on Spotify and in our city. Perhaps you caught him as part of Rich Campanella and the Sunrise Band at the Sept. 17 Clifton Street Fair. The band performed in the afternoon for two hours, delivering Classic Rock hits from Journey, ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Brothers Band, and the Eagles.

Campanella found success in local rounds of auditions for The Voice, X-Factor, American Idol, and America’s Got Talent. This month, SiriusXM will debut Campanella’s stand-out single, “Over and Over”. Campanella is a SAG-AFTRA actor, previously appearing on the 2013 series, The Americans, in scenes with Keri Russell.

For contact and booking info, email Campy Media at kammpy81@aol.com. Find Campanella on Facebook at Rich Campanella and the Sunrise Band, as well as Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music.

St. Peter’s Haven’s 2023 Tricky Tray is Oct. 20 at the Clifton Boys & Girls Club, 181 Colfax Ave. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Reserve your seat early and bring your own food and drinks. Tickets are $25 with one sheet of tickets. Tables of 10 can be reserved in advance. Reserve your seat or complete a donation form at: saintpetershaven.org.

A decade ago, Asm. Thomas P. Giblin, inset, arranged a partnership with Peace Islands Institute and St. Peter’s Haven. The project still thrives as Peace Island marked the Feast of Sacrifice, the oldest Islamic holidays in Turkey, by donating 100 pounds of lamb to St. Peter’s Haven food pantry. On Sept. 29 at St. Peter’s from left are Savas Metin with Gustavo Orales and Pam Fueshko of St. Peter’s Haven, Adam Ozdemir, Mel Turk and Christopher Debe, also of St. Peter’s.

School 13’s Kasper Quads from left, Felix, Ferdinand, Frances and Frank.

Who were the most famous School 13 grads? Emil Sopoliga, who is now 86, said it has to be the Kasper Quads.

Born May 9, 1936 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic, the Quads were baptized at St. John Lutheran Church in Passaic and became a media sensation when NJ Gov. Harold G. Hoffman became their godfather. The 1955 CHS grads

The sun shined on Clifton School 13 as the landmark celebrated 100 years on Van Houten Ave. Rain washed out the event a week earlier but the PTA team of organizers—Jamie Principe, Emma Perez, Winster Ceballos, Kelly Hamilton, Alaina Borys, Diana Lambaz, Paola Arici and Kim Romero—brought it back on Oct. 1. Hundreds of kids danced to a DJ and generations of Mustangs strolled the school looking at photos and enjoyed a historic presentation by John Silva.

remained fixtures in their hometown, as they owned and operated Seabert’s Deli on Main Ave. until they retired in 1997. Clifton pre-school teacher Frank Kasper said his dad Frank, as well as Felix and Ferdinand, served in the NJ Army National Guard from 1959-1965 and have all since passed, while their sister Frances is still alive.

Clifton Cares is calling. Volunteers for the nonprofit will prepare care packages for our military in November and request generous donations of food for the 13th year. Bring items to the Clifton Cares bin at City Hall, until Nov. 14. Needed items are: Small bottles of toiletries, sanitizer, shampoo, soap, food, and snacks. Favorites of the soldiers are Ramen noodles, beef jerky, crackers, gum, power bars, and all kinds of cookies and candy. They also need powders

It started years back with a couple of turkeys. Since that time, with a truckload of turkeys donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton, Corradino & Papa, a personal injury law firm on Allwood Rd., have become leading philanthropist in their hometown. On Oct. 3, Jack Corradino and RC Papa, school and city officials joined to commemorate their donation of the second—and third—sculptured Fighting Mustang to Clifton. Above at Clifton Stadium on the Christopher Columbus Middle School campus, that’s RC Papa (left) and Jack Corradino clipping the ribbon that made it official. In the second photo at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, they are seen with CHS junior soccer players Sebastian RiveraReyes and no. 13 Gianpaul Restrepo. The law firm’s first Mustang stands at the entrance to the CHS gym, a project C&P donated three years ago. Over the years, Corradino and Papa have donated truckloads of turkeys to feed the hungry, purchased two yellow school buses to help the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton get kids to and from events, as well as various other donations. Clifton Schools Superintendent Danny A. Robertozzi, School Board Commissioner, staff and Mayor Ray Grabowski attended to show their thanks.

to make their water more flavorful. Checks made payable to Clifton Cares Inc. help send packages, which are $21.40 each to mail, and are tax deductible. Send donations to Clifton Cares Inc., Clifton City Hall, 900 Clifton Ave. Clifton, NJ 07013. Know of a deployed military person who you’d like to add the list? Send their name, full address, and when their tour ends to Chris Liszner by calling 973650-2719 or emailing grandmachrissy99@aol.com.

Clifton Senior Barbecue

Clifton seniors made the most of a rare showing of good weather on Sept. 22 at the free barbecue sponsored by the Clifton Health Department. The event welcomed over 150 senior citizens who enjoyed good food, vendors, and socializing with their fellow residents under tents in the Senior Center parking lot.

“We decided a while ago [that we wanted] to do something different for seniors and wanted to attract seniors to the Senior Center,” said Director of Human Services and Clifton Health Officer John Biegel III. “We wanted to tell them about what services we have to provide.”

The barbecue was geared specifically toward the seniors who live in Clifton but perhaps are not familiar with the available services. The Health Department staff, Senior Outreach staff, and additional volunteers planned the event for the past six months with the Police Department, the DPW, and the Recreation Department.

Biegel said that 175 people signed up for the event, although the total in attendance was about 160 after some dropped out beforehand.

The volunteers received a variety of food donations for seniors from the Allwood Diner, who donated burgers and

cheese, and The Original Jumbo’s, which provided sauerkraut and hot dogs.

The Brownstone and Power of One CCOM were also among those who donated foods, ranging from empanadas to pierogies to veggie burgers.

“We tried to think of everybody’s diet,” said Biegel.

Amidst entertainment from a DJ and some dancing, seniors connected with local organizations. Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center conducted blood pressure exams, while the Board of Social Services and Passaic County Sheriff’s Department met with seniors.

The Clifton Arts Center also had a presence, as did city leaders, such as Mayor Ray Grabowski, Councilman Bill Gibson, and City Manager Nick Villano. Biegel said that the event is something to look forward to in the future.

“We would definitely like to do it at least once a year,” said Biegel. “The weather was beautiful and everyone had a great time.”

“The Health Department staff and Rec Department staff were the servers,” he continued. “They told the seniors that it was their day to relax and get those services that are out there for them.”

Happy Birthday to....

Dorothy M. O’Shea, will be 94 on Oct.

Noel Coronel turns 19 on Oct. 16. Our favorite retired Clifton cop Edward Holster celebrates on Oct. 18. Kim Oeffler has a birthday on Oct. 8. Congratulations to Orest and Barbara Luzniak who celebrate their 43rd anniversary on Oct. 11.

Joe and Arielle Hawrylko celebrate their first anniversary on Oct. 14! Susan and Ray Cramer will celebrate 29 years of marriage on Oct. 1. Steve and Barbara Bivaletz (at right) were married 45 years ago on Sept. 30!

8.

Next time you are in the Paulison Ave. ShopRite, let Maryann Illenye know about her 62nd birthday happening on Oct. 31.