Editor's Note: Glancing Back

This week's highlights include smooth jazz down in Westfield, a Shakespearean moment down at the VFW, an interview with a college soccer star and a local who raises giant cats. Here are the events that made the headlines this week:

Sunday, July 11:

▪      Patch chats with Little Scoops coordinator Victoria Markowski about her job at an ice cream parlor during the heat wave.

▪     Local players gear a performance of Shel Silverstein one-act plays and whimsical poetry toward adults.

▪     A sunny Sunday drew residents from all over the area down to Nomehegan Park.

Monday, July 12:

▪   Commissioner Daniel Aschenbach shares his views on recent letters written to the Cranford Chronicle by the Municipal Prosecutor. 

▪    Patch's Ruth Williams discusses a Congressman's unwelcome suggestion: Raising the social security age to 70.

▪     Locals catch the final World Cup match, many crowding the Kilkenny House or the Office Beer Bar and Grill.

Tuesday, July 13:

▪    Although their headquarters is deemed unsafe after 496 Centennial Avenue burned last week, Arnold's Pest Control is still conducting business in the area, holding down fort in Clark.

▪    Soccer star Joe Touloumis shines at Marist College. Also check out Patch's video interview.

▪     A man is charged with sexually abusing an elderly resident at an assisted living facility.       

Wednesday, July 14:

▪      Mayor Mark Smith and Commissioner Daniel Aschenbach discuss with Patch what the 2-percent property tax cap might mean going into next year.

▪       Patch tells the story of a retired teacher and her gentle giants.

▪       Zoning Board of Adjustment approves a variance on blueprints for a two-family house on a lot that's technically too small.

Thursday, July 15:

▪    The Cranford Community Center will rock out to a jazz trio from Rutgers on July 21.

▪       Residents from around the area partook in a Wednesday night jazz extravaganza in downtown Westfield.

▪     Next Stage Ensemble performs lighthearted Shakespearean comedy 'As You Like it' at Cranford VFW. Check out our photos.

Friday, July 16:      

▪       Boy Scout Matthew Van Pelt holds a used book sale to raise funds for a veggie garden that he plans on creating for his Eagle Scout project. He's growing beans, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and peppers – and donating all of it to Cranford Family Care.

▪      Cranford actress Lauren Campbell steps up to the big stage; she's performing RENT at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark all this weekend.

  ▪      Cranford Jaycees post an announcement thanking their sponsors for a successful Firecracker Four Mile Run. The organization also names high school scholarship winners.

Saturday, July 17:

▪       More and more students are signing up to go to Union County College. Patch chats with some officials about the trends and the challenges.

▪       Lacrosse trio heads to Europe and challenges international teams in Europe. Due to their impressive experience, they emerge undefeated.