RAHWAY’S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER FREE

Dustributed as a communtiy service by the Rahway Chamber of Commerce. Premier Issue • June 2010 NEXT WELCOME BACK RAHWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHAMBER PUBLIC INVITED TO ATTEND FIRST MEETING ON JUNE 24TH MEETING The Rahway Chamber of Commerce is back on the local automatically members of the Gateway Regional Chamber of Rahway business scene after having closed its doors nearly Commerce. The Gateway organization facilitates our local June 24, 2010 ten years ago. The Rahway Chamber of Commerce is taking chamber along with several other communities. With 1,800 8:30am - 9:30am off. It is stepping up efforts to accommodate the needs of members it is the largest business association in the New at Masonic Temple businesses, large and small. The Chamber’s main objective York Metropolitan Area. Your business will be networked 1550 Irving Street is to stimulate the business community and, in turn, improve across the entire Gateway marketplace. You are also downtown Rahway. the economic climate throughout the entire city. The goal is encouraged to get involved with them at the regional level. also to reach out regionally and The exposure has had proven success for WHAT TO EXPECT AT A market our city’s resources to a many local businesses. The Gateway RAHWAY CHAMBER OF broader base market outside of our Chamber also maintains a Members COMMERCE MEETING: borders. The Chamber will offer Discount Program in which businesses You’ll be networking services that will help strengthen our offer other members savings on products with other businesses, and services. learn what’s going on in local businesses while being the city, and have the affordable for everyone. The upcoming general meeting will be opportunity to promote Please make an effort to learn about held on Thursday, June 24 and graciously your business. what we are doing and take advantage hosted by the members of the Masonic Meetings are open to of the opportunities we offer. Get involved, come to a Lodge located at 1550 Irving Street in downtown. The the public, non-members meeting or just give us a call if you have any questions. Masonic Lodge continues to be a great supporter of Rahway are welcome. There is no and the Chamber thanks them for being our June host cost to attend but bring We want more businesses to get involved because there is business cards. You may strength in numbers. By sharing the cost of marketing and location. Doors open at 8:15am and the meeting will run just show up. Coffee and advertising the cost to the individual business is lessened. from 8:30am till 9:30am. Wake up coffee and donuts will be donuts are served. We have also built financial savings into our programs that on the menu and generously provided by Chris Wenson of Inquiries can be offset the cost of membership. Members also enjoy the The Waiting Room bar & restaurant located on East Cherry directed to kateconroy benefits of being in the spotlight at meetings, in print and on Street. The Chamber would like to invite the entire Rahway @gatewaychamber.com community, businesses, organizations, government officials 908-352-0900. the Internet. Rahway Chamber of Commerce members are and residents. 9

e HOT RODS AND HARLEYS 2010 1 D g J 9 T a . N t Hot Rods & Harleys returned to S D o s , t I o N n r Downtown Rahway! The event wass o t o P A i i s .

n sponsored by Liberty Harley-Davidson and P m e S r r . U

e RSI Bank and features classic cars, P U P motorcycles, music, games, food & drink and much more. Hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles were on display, as well as music, food and products sold by downtown merchants. Over 150 trophies were awarded for winners of various auto and motorcycle categories. The Photos by joerenna.com event also featured world famous Bubba More photos can be found Blackwell Daredevil. on pages 6 and 7. e c r e m 0 m 0 o 3 C 0 - f 7 o 0 r 2 e 7 b 0 m J 0 a 0 N h 3 , C h x t y o e a b B w a . z h i O a l . P E R OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 2 • Jun 10

Message from the Chairman Rahway Here I am again heading up the Rahway Chamber of Commerce. I was the founding president back in 1977. In 1992 the Chamber of Our Town is published by Renna Media in coordination Commerce membership and vitality was at a low point and I took with the Rahway Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of over the helm for the second time. The Rahway Chamber dissolved the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce . about ten years ago having lost many of its volunteer members to the Three thousand newspapers are printed monthly and Rahway Center Partnership. mailed free to every business in Rahway and distributed free at distribution sites throughout Rahway. Now it's 2010 and we are in the worst economic time since the Although great care has been taken to ensure the Great Depression and I've agreed to help startup this organization information contained within is accurate, Renna Media or again. Our goal is simple. Help business to grow and prosper the Rahway Chamber of Commerce or Gateway Chamber throughout Rahway. We support strong schools and great parks and assumes no liability for errors or omissions. good business and fair play. Our organization is transparent, volunteer led and we welcome your questions, interest and involvement. RAHWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Sincerely, C/O Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce Gateway Vice President: Kate Conroy Bob Markey 908-352-0900 Acting Chairman [email protected] P.O. Box 300, Elizabeth, NJ 07207-0300 I can be reached by calling 732-388-1765, By email at [email protected] or by mail at 103 West Main Street, Rahway, NJ 07065 Acting Chairman: Bob Markey 732 388 1765 [email protected] 103 West Main Street, Rahway, NJ 07065 WHAT’S THE FUTURE FOR DOWNTOWN’S CITY OF RAHWAY 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065 SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT? www.cityofrahway.com Mayor: James Kennedy Many questions are being asked on Main property taxes and these SID monies are used to 732-827-2000 Street about what the future will bring for support the RCP and downtown improvement downtown’s Rahway Center Partnership. efforts. The annual renewal of the SID RAHWAY CITY COUNCIL Slashed funding forced the recent elimination of assessment will be on the August City Council First Ward: Robert Rachlin the job held by longtime RCP Director Ray agenda. 2215 Allen Street • (732) 499-7389 Mikell, maintenance workers lost their jobs and The Chamber supports dialogue on this issue Second Ward: Michael Cox staffing is drastically cut and running on a and would encourage Mayor Kennedy and City 776 West Scott Avenue • (732) 388-2880 skeleton crew. Council to host an open and informal forum in Third Ward: Jerry Scaturo The downtown commercial property owners July to discuss the issues with downtowners and 515 Albermarle Street • (732) 381-1924 Fourth Ward: David Brown are assessed an additional 7% of their annual interested citizens. 353 East Stearns Street • (732) 388-6545 Fifth Ward: Jennifer Wenson-Maier 1314 Bryant Street • (732) 396-8536 Sixth Ward: Samson Steinman, Vice President MORE GRAFFITI APPEARING IN TOWN 1104 Plymouth Drive • (732) 388-4475 At Large: James Baker, Council President Sometimes art, oftentimes a gang's markings. 596 Leesville Avenue • (732) 574-1206 At Large: Salvatore Mione Recently more graffiti is surfacing around town 1452 New Church Street • (732) 574-1328 and its appearance has a negative impact on our At Large: Nancy Saliga city's quality of life. The best advice generally is 1103 Milton Boulevard • (732) 574-3188 to remove it as soon as possible. It's likened to washing our face as the job will never stop. The IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS Chamber of Commerce would like to work with Emergency ...... 911 Rahway City officials to help address the graffiti Non- Emergency Police ...... (732) 827-2200 problem. Non- Emergency Fire ...... (732) 827-2155 Mayor’s Office ...... ??????? (right) Photo taken at intersection of New Building, Planning, and Brunswick and Inman Avenue. Economic Development ...... (732) 827-2176 Note: It is the policy of this publisher to black Public Works & Engineering ...... (732) 827-2060 Solid Waste & Recycling ...... 732) 827-2159 out graffiti in publications. Municipal Clerk ...... (732) 827-2100 Senior Services ...... (732) 827-2016 Health & Housing ...... (732) 827-2172 Parks & Recreation ...... (732) 669-3600 Law Department ...... (732) 827-2000 PAUSING TO REMEMBER JULY 4TH Tax Collector ...... (732) 827-2050 Tax Assessor ...... (732) 827-2030 Most of us pass by this highway sign located Municipal Court ...... (732) 827-2039 on St. Georges Avenue at Veterans Park giving Library ...... (732)340-1551 little thought to it or to the times that it speaks to. Board of Education ...... (732) 396-1000 "Yeh. yeh we know. George Washington slept ©2010 Contents of this newsletter cannot be across the street at the Merchants and Drovers reproduced without written consent from Renna Inn". What we often forget is that on that date Media, LLC. our War of Independence was by no means a sure victory. July 4th marked a date in 1776 that our Declaration of Independence was signed ADVERTISING & PRESS RELEASES some seventy five miles away at Philadelphia. Inquiries concerning advertising and Patriots were in 1789 fighting and dying and submissions of press releases can be made victory was yet years away. As we celebrate this to Our Town Rahway via email or fax to: coming July Fourth may we pause for a moment TINA RENNA during our parades and family reunions and Email: [email protected] barbecues and fireworks displays and remember Phone: 908-418-5586 that our freedom was won at great cost. Fax: 908-709-9209 Happy Fourth of July! CITY MEETING DATES & SCHEDULES OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 3 • Jun 10 RAHWAY MUNICIPAL COUNCIL PLANNING BOARD GATEWAY CHAMBER OF Meetings are held in the Meetings are held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, Council Chambers of the City Hall, COMMERCE EVENTS 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway at 7:00 p.m. 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway at 7:00 p.m. For additional event information Please call (732) 827-2100 for any inquiries. Please call (732) 827-2176 for any inquiries. call the Chamber at 908-352-0900 Tuesday, July 6 Pre-Meeting Conference. Tuesday, July 27 or visit our website at www.gatewaychamber.com Monday, July 12, Regular Meeting HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Meetings are held on Thursdays 8:30 AM JUNE 23 Meetings are held in the in the Regular Meeting Room of the CLARK CHAMBER GROUP Council Chambers of the City Hall, Housing Authority of the City of Rahway at Clark Public Library, 303 Westfield Avenue, Clark 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway at 7:00 p.m. 165 East Grand Avenue at 7:00 p.m. 8:00 AM JUNE 25 Please call (732) 827-2176 for any inquiries. Please call (732) 499-0066 for any inquiries. SOMERSET HILLS BUSINESS NETWORK Tuesday, July 13 July NO MEETING Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RAHWAY CENTER PARTNERSHIP 811 Rattlesnake Bridge Road, Bedminster Meetings are held in the Meetings are held at Hotel Indigo, 7:30 AM JULY 1 2nd floor conference room Rahway City Hall 1 Carriage City Plaza, 2nd Floor at 7 p.m. NETWORKING PROFESSIONALS OF NEW 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway at 7:00 p.m. Please call (732) 396-3545 for any inquiries. JERSEY BREAKFAST MEETING Please call (732) 827-2000 for any inquiries. Wednesday, June 23 Perkins of Green Brook, July NO MEETING REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 297 Route 22 East, Green Brook PARKING AUTHORITY Meetings are held in the 6:00 PM JULY 14 Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of Council Chambers of the City Hall, NEW JERSEY REAL ESTATE SOCIAL every month at the Parking Authority offices 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway. NETWORK 67 Lewis Street, Rahway at 6:30 p.m. Please call (732) 827-2193 for any inquiries. The Westwood, 438 North Avenue, Garwood Please call (732) 382-3279 for any inquiries. Wednesday, July 7 6:00 PM JULY 20 IRISH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (IBA) Wednesday, August 4 LIBRARY BOARD MEETING BOARD OF EDUCATION Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each Regular Monthly Caucus Meetings are held month at the Rahway Public Library at 7:30pm. Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 1085 Central Avenue, Clark in the Louis R. Rizzo Board Meeting Room Please call (732) 340-1551 for any inquiries. 8:00 AM JULY 21 (room 105) of the Middle School at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 20 EMPLOYER LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE Board Meetings and Organization Meetings are Kenilworth Inn, held in the Cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. Regular Boulevard & 31st Street, Kenilworth Meetings are held in the Cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. If your like this newspaper, 6:00 PM JULY 22 Please call (732) 396-1000 for any inquires. NEW JERSEY REAL ESTATE SOCIAL Tuesday, July, 13 Caucus Meeting thank an advertiser. NETWORK HAPPY HOUT Tuesday, July 20 Regular Meeting Location to be determined Learn more about the gateway Chamber of Commerce at: 8:00 AM JULY 23 SOMERSET HILLS BUSINESS NETWORK www.gatewaychamber.com Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 4 • Jun 10 RAHWAY’S SUMMER CAMP & DAY CARE GUIDE Stay in town …save time …save gas …no need to drive far! AGAPE FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER MERCK CITY OF RAHWAY RECREATION 501 East Hazelwood Avenue (For Merck Employees or their Relatives only) Call for Details Recreation Hotline Call for details: 732-680-9800 Kindergarten through 2nd Grade 732-827-2095 ARTS GUILD Call for details: Judy Klein 732-594-4000 SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROGRAM - AGES 5 – 13 Kids’ Summer Art Workshops for Ages 7-12 RAHWAY DAY CARE CENTER Call for details: 732-381-7511 1071 New Brunswick Avenue Arts & Crafts, Games, Playground Olympics & BUSY BEE CHILD CARE CENTERS Call for details 732 -382-0544 Carnival Day! Two Rahway Locations SUMMER THEATRE CAMP Mon – Thurs 9 am – 2 pm, Fri – 9 am – noon Call for details: 732-381-7227 Children's Stage Adventures - Sponsored in part Weather Permitting, June 28 – August 13 CHILDTIME LEARNING CENTER by Merck Company Foundation At the following parks: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church One Week. 50 Local Kids. Ages 6 to 18. Brennan, Tully, Berzinec and Roosevelt 215 Elm Avenue 1 Musical. 2 Performances. As If By Magic! Residents only $20 Call for details: 732-396-1533 Union County Performing Arts Center SUMMER TENNIS INSTRUCTION JFK COMMUNITY CENTER Rahway, New Jersey Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced Oldest childcare Center in Rahway Call for details 732 -499-0441 ext 221 Certified Instructor: Emmanuel – USPTR 796 East Hazelwood Avenue ARCHAEOLOGY CAMP AND HISTORY CAMP Berzinec Park Tennis Courts Call for details: 732-382-9311 Fun, adventure and hands-on education at a Central Ave @ St. Georges Ave real, 220 year old New Jersey stagecoach inn. KIDDIE COLLEGE II OF RAHWAY Starting at age 6 700 New Brunswick Avenue Archaeology Camp: July 12th - 16th Hisdtory Camp: July 19th - 23rd Rahway, NJ 07065-3819 SPELL CHECK IS A BIG WAIST! Call for details: 732-382-2111 Monday - Frodeay: 9 am - 2 pm $125 per child / per week Ok all you Rahway English experts… RAHWAY BRANCH YMCA Can you discover the “Faux Pas” Summer Day Camp* (Ages 5-14) Call for details 703-381-0441 on this County Park Pool sign? June 28-September 3 www.merchantsanddrovers.org Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum Extended Care Available* 1632 St, Georges Avenue, Rahway, NJ Daily swimming in our full size indoor pool! 1564 Irving Street, Rahway, New Jersey COOL SPLASHINGS AND LOT’S OF SUMMER FUN AT Call for Details 732.388.0057 CITY AND COUNTY PARKS AND PUBLIC POOL SUMMER DANCE CAMP 2010 We’re really so fortunate to have within our Rahway Dance Theatre city so many wonderful public parks to enjoy. Trips to the pool. beach, NYC, etc. From tennis to soccer to swimming and fishing Doors open 6:30 am for early bird parents. and baseball and barbequing and walking and Class starts at 9am. running. We’ve got park spaces to workout in 439 Irving Street and some for sunning or simply sitting down on Call for details: 732 388 4242 the grass and just plain bumming! 2ND ANNUAL RAHWAY TENNIS DAY OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 5 • Jun 10 The Berzinec Courts at Central Avenue and St. Georges were abuzz with tennis players of all ages and abilities having fun. From the novice to the advanced all were welcomed. Lessons were given free and many prizes were awarded. The weather was sunny and clear and in the low 80s which helped make for a great day.

Even the little Nice follow thru And the grandchildren too! guys played! JERSEY FRESH MARKET STARTS BACK UP JULY 15 th Farmer Fred Schieferstein and Other Favorite Vendors Return Beginning Thursday, July 15 and running from noon till 6pm each Thursday throughout the growing season, the Rahway Train Station Welcome to the Courts Plaza will host the long running Jersey Fresh Farmer’s Market. Freshly picked produce, baked goods, flowers, nuts and many other assorted healthy food items will be available for purchase. Convenient short term parking can be found on the street or at the adjacent Rahway Parking Authority deck. Come on downtown on Thursdays and enjoy this open air market and perhaps have a casual lunch at one of the many (above) Fred Schieferstein of third generation local downtown eateries. The market this year Schieferstein Farm Market & Garden Center will be sponsored by the City of Rahway with located on Madison Hill Road in Clark. assist from the Rahway Center Partnership. The Partnership ran into stumbling blocks and will be former RCP Director Ray Mikell who funding cutbacks earlier this year and sadly worked so hard for many years to help the Tennis Instructor Victor Emmanuel, USPTR much of its staff were let go. Especially missed downtown to continue to revitalize. OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 6 • Jun 10 RAHWAY’S HOT RODS AND HARLEYS 2010 STREET FAIR PHOTO ALBUM

Find these and other full color photos from Rahway’s Hot Rods & Harley’s event at PrinceofNewJersey.com

Photos by joerenna.com

Lunch Specials BBQ Ribs w/ rice & salad ...... $7.89 Chicken Kabob w/ rice & salad ...... $7.89 Shrimp Kabob w/ rice & salad ...... $8.89 Scallops Kabob w/ rice & salad ...... $8.89 8oz Hamburger w/ French fries and salad ...... $6.89 Fried Fish Fillet w/ French fries & salad ...... $6.89 Nacho Chips Supreme ...... $5.89 Chicken Fingers w/ French fries ...... $5.89 Stuffed Potato Skins w/ mixed veggies ...... $5.89 Valentina’s Pasta Special 1 Ravioli, 1 Stuffed Shell & Baked Rigatoni .... $7.89 Bar Pizza (choice of two toppings) ...... $4.89 B.L.T. w/ French fries ...... $4.89 Grilled Cheese w/ French fries ...... $4.89 OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 7 • Jun 10 RAHWAY’S HOT RODS AND HARLEYS 2010 STREET FAIR PHOTO ALBUM

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136 Central Avenue 226 Broadway Clark, NJ 07066 Long Branch, NJ 07740 PrinceofNewJersey.com OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 8 • Jun 10 PAPER MILL RISING STAR AWARDS The Fine Arts Department of Rahway High Outstanding Achievement in Choreography and EXHIBIT SHOWCASES School is proud to announce its recognition at Staging (to Dance and Musical Theater teacher the prestigious Paper Mill Rising Star Awards. Alison Dooley) and Outstanding Costuming YOUNG ARTISTS On Tuesday, June 8, the ceremony for the Paper Achievement (to parent volunteers Audrey Mill Rising Star Awards was held at the Paper Angrisani and Tina Campagna). Mill Playhouse in Millburn. Senior Carl Stamer The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards was honored with an Outstanding Student were created in 1996 to encourage and reward Achievement Award for his work with set exceptional accomplishments in the production construction and stage crew during the 2010 of high school musical theatre. Now in its 15th production of "The Music Man." year, the Rising Star Awards are a statewide Other honors from the Rising Star Awards competition of New Jersey high school musicals include several final nominations, including modeled after Broadway's Tony Awards, and Outstanding Performance by a Chorus, with Paper Mill's assistance, the program has Outstanding Performance by an Orchestra, been replicated in several regions nationwide.

(above) Rahway High School graduating senior Asia Pitt joins Marcel Truppa during the 12th Annual Rahway High School Art Exhibit at the Arts Guild on Irving Street.

Rahway High School wishes to congratulate graduating senior Asia Pitt for receiving the Marcel and Erica Truppa Art Major Scholarship. Internationally-renowned artist Marcel Truppa has been referred to as "a local treasure" and has lived in Rahway for most of his life. He was born to Italian parents in France and spent his childhood in a small village in southern Italy. His father moved the family to Rahway, where Truppa distinguished himself as an artist at Rahway High School. Truppa attended the Pratt Institute and the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts and worked in New York in (above) Students from the the 2010 production advertising as an art director. He never stopped of "The Music Man" attend the Paper Mill Rising Star Awards. creating art and his work can be seen in shows at (right) Senior Carl Stamer with Dance and Musical Theater galleries in Rahway and beyond. Teacher Alison Dooley and Art Teacher Jo-Anne Campanelli as he receives his Outstanding Student Achievement Award. Ra hway Glass Shoppe Complete Glass Installation and Repair

GLASS FOR EVERY NEED • Custom doors & window screens • Entrance doors • Wire glass • Custom mirrors • Patio doors • Safety glass • Lexan • Tempered glass • Stained glass • Tabletops • Plexiglas • Storm windows • Window glass • Insulated glass • Screens • Mirrors cut to order • Steel sash

Commercial • Residential (732) 381-9595 690 West Grand Avenue • Rahway, NJ q t y ] Rahway Glass Co. Since 1920 ARMY CHAMP OPENING MATES OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 9 • Jun 10 Local chess players are in for a special treat Pizzeria and Restaurant for students and when Arthur Macaspac opens Chess Mates in tournament players. downtown Rahway, NJ. The storefront will be Lessons are offered for every level of player, part cafe, part club and part school featuring beginner and veterans. Classes are organized by instruction by International age starting with the 55 and older community in Leonid Yudasin, a two time candidate for world the early afternoon, followed by youth lessons champion who was ranked one the top five for six to thirteen year-olds and early evening players in the world. classes for fourteen to 54 year olds. These Macaspac is a formidable player in his own restrictions are casually enforced and players rite. A national master since 1998, Macaspac may opt for private lessons also. won the US Army Championship three times A variety of tournaments are scheduled on a and was a team Captain for US Military Team in daily basis, with short and long time controls. NATO Competition. There are different entrance fees with several In Iraq, Macaspac played the role of “chess prize structures applied. Details about class ambassador” at Camp Bucca. Dispite working schedules and tournaments can be found on the 10 hour days he found time to start a chess club. website ChessmatesNJ.com. (above) Arthur Macaspac was born in the Participants came from different services - Chess Mates is looking to attract not only top Philippines and moved to the United States Marines, Air Force, Navy, Army and even Iraqi chess players and enthusiasts but the casual and after college. He is currently a US Army interpreters. curious players. Part of Arthur’s goal is to Reserve Captain (CPT) and served in the Navy The weekly tournaments became so popular introduce chess to youngsters and help the game as well. Arthur was deployed twice to the that Macaspac, through Army Family and grow in popularity. Middle East and once to South East Asia. He Morale, Welfare and Recreation officials 1523 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ has returned to the world of chess after acquired 20 chess sets and 10 clocks donated by (760) 583-8429 returning from his year-long deployment in the United States Chess Federation. June of 2009. Chess Mates is located in the newly build www.chessmatesnj.com Park Square building in downtown Rahway, one (left) Arthur’s chess mentor and good friend block from the train station making it convenient Grandmaster Leonid Yudasin will be teaching for players to travel from New York and chess classes at Chess Mates. Reaching a Philadelphia as well as across New Jersey. Park USCF’s second highest ranking of 2735, GM Square is in the heart of the revitalized Yudasin was one of the top five players in the downtown arts district. With ample parking and world, challenging both Karpov and Kasparov plenty of restaurants in walking distance. for the world championship. His resume The public is invited in to sit and play at any includes: time in the cafe area during business hours. The - Olympic Champion doors will be open seven days a week for classes - Two time NJ Open Champion and tournaments. Chess Mates will offer lite - USSR Cup Champion fare, coffee and snacks for casual players and - Champion have dinner and lunch catered by Michelino’s - Five times World Open Co-winner OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 10 • Jun 10 ANOTHER TRUE ARTISAN IN RAHWAY'S DOWNTOWN ARTS DISTRICT

Rene Valiente's artistic journey began back in And it's not only homes that get a new lease on Cuba, where his uncle owned and operated El life, Master Craft excels at re-upholstering Cojin (The Cushion) an automobile upholstery whole businesses like offices, eating business and when he moved to in establishments, even country clubs in towns 1963, Rene apprenticed with him after school. such as Westfield, Scotch Plains, Basking Ridge They branched out to include furniture which and the Jersey Shore. became Rene's specialty, a craft he's honed for If you're interested in his work, you can give almost 35 years. Rene a call at (732) 423-0689. After he moved to New Jersey, Rene worked Article and photo by Francesca Rizzo at his trade in Westfield until eight years ago (right) Rene Valiente when he opened Master Craft Upholstery in of Master Craft Upholstery. Rahway, originally on W. Grande but now located at 1614 Irving Street in Rahway. While he's happy to work his magic on local projects, JOIN THE CHAMBER! SPECIAL RAHWAY RATE many of Rene's patrons are interior designers Contact Kate Conroy 908-352-0900 or [email protected] and decorators from NY and NJ who rely on his expertise to transform their clients' furniture When you join the Gateway Chamber you the last five years. This focus on membership from old to new. automatically become a member of all thirteen services is at the center of our philosophy. Why do people re-upholster rather than buy sub-groups at no additional cost. • Members of the Gateway Chamber run the new? "Well, today's furniture is "throwaway" • The Gateway Chamber operates in Union, gamut from large corporations like Merck, compared to the quality that went into the older Essex, Middlesex and Somerset Counties, Verizon and Continental Airlines, to small and pieces so it makes sense to choose re-upholstery. making it the only multi-county association in medium-sized businesses, to a very active A chair or sofa might be a family heirloom or a Northern and Central New Jersey. The home-based business group. custom fit for their space ... or their bodies!" Chamber also has many members in other • The Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce says Rene. "Some shops just re-cover the states, and a growing number outside the is the largest business association in the New furniture but we always strip the piece back and United States. York Metropolitan Area with about 1,800 rebuild it from scratch so we make it a point to • The Gateway Chamber is a strong advocate for members. We hold approximately 150 events keep the comfort level the same. Some people its members. It works at the federal, state and per year from large 600-person dinners to love to sink into a favorite cushy chair while local levels on both legislative and regulatory small 10-person breakfasts, and everything in others rely on a harder cushion to help them get issues. between, with a great emphasis on networking up and out of it!" • The Gateway Chamber publishes its own and business promotion. Master Craft Upholstery tackles a huge range monthly newspaper, Inside Business , which • The Gateway Chamber has a long history of furniture pieces from sofas, wing chairs and has an estimated readership of 75,000. dating back to 1911 when it was founded as the recliners to extra pillows, cornices or • We consider it to be core to our mission to help Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce by John D. headboards. They also do complete repairs to the our members grow their businesses, and as a Rockefeller and other New Jersey frames, springs, buttons, zippers ... you name it. result our retention rate has averaged 95% over industrialists. RENNA MEDIA LAUNCHES FIFTH NEWSPAPER OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 11 • Jun 10 Joe and Tina Renna, owners of Renna Media, departments and non-profit organizations, with ADVERTISING RATES LLC, have been publishing community an emphasis on photos. newspapers since 1998 with the launch of Though Renna Media is the publisher the Each month 3,000 newspapers are printed and Around About Peterstown, a regional newspaper newspapers are done in cooperation with the 1,200 are mailed free to every business in about the Italian American neighborhood in local Chambers of Commerce. Joe is a huge Rahway with the balance being distributed free Elizabeth, New Jersey. proponent of the Chambers and for twenty five throughout town. The ads are affordably priced Publisher Joe Renna recalled “I wanted to years has been active in countless organizations with a special lower rate for members of the preserve the oral history that was being lost, and across the state. He was the past president of the Gateway Chamber of Commerce. Call today to promote the positive aspects of the present day Rahway Chamber of Commerce and is presently reserve your space in the next issue. community.” The newspaper celebrates the the Chairman of the Kenilworth Chamber. Joe church, families, organizations and businesses also sits on the board of the Gateway Regional This size ad is only $60 associated with the neighborhood. The readers Chamber of Commerce, the largest business are diverse but they all relate to the positive association in the NY/Northern NJ region. For Chamber Members refreshing articles. Businesses have realized that In April 2008 Renna Media began publishing 1 unit = Business card size ads (3.25” x 2" ) Around About Peterstown readers make great Kenilworth Business Life with the Kenilworth customers and have been supporting the paper Chamber of Commerce. Over 3,500 newspapers Non-Members Members with advertisements since its creation. are printed monthly and mailed free to every What started out as a small community household and business in Kenilworth. 1 Unit (Business card) $55 $50 newsletter quickly grew to epic proportions. The Springfield Patriot was launched in Currently 15,000 papers are published bi- August 2008 to help promote the Springfield 2 Units (3.25” x 4”) $65 $60 monthly and distributed throughout Union Patriot Chamber of Commerce. Over 7,500 County and by subscription across the state and newspapers are printed monthly and mailed free 4 Units (6.5” x 4”) $110 $100 around the country. to every household and business in Springfield. 6 Units (10” x 4”) $145 $130 Renna Media sought to fill what they saw as a Life In Linden followed in December 2009. void in other communities and created Published in cooperation with the Linden 1/2 Page (10” x 8”) $250 $230 newspapers that would give a venue to town Chamber of Commerce, 5,000 newspapers are administrations and non-profit organizations to printed monthly. Approximately 2,000 are Full Page (10” x 16”) $550 $500 promote upcoming events as well as to mailed free to every business and the balance is showcase the positive news items to businesses distributed free throughout town. Pay for 12 months and get 2 FREE! and residents. The newspapers are set up as a Our Town Rahway premiered in June, 2010. community service with the intention of Over 3,000 newspapers are printed monthly. informing the public of interesting and Approximately 1,200 are mailed free to every Inquiries concerning advertising and important happenings and promoting local business and the balance distributed free submissions of press releases can be made via businesses. throughout town. email or fax to: Renna Media is currently publishing four For more information about Renna Media TINA RENNA newspapers that feature press releases from publications, please visit www.rennamedia.com Email: [email protected] schools, businesses, libraries, government or call 908-418-5586. Phone: 908-418-5586 Fax: 908-709-9209 OUR TOWN Rahway • Page 12 • Jun 10 Made in the USA Made in the USA is a regular feature of Our Town honoring our soldiers and veterans. SGT POWER RETURNS HOME “A Mother’s Thoughts” A very warm Welcome Home to Sergeant by Marianne Power Michael C. Power and all of the 4th Infantry “Nobody hates war more than a soldier’s Division that returned safely to Fort Carson mom. We live, breath, walk, talk and dream Colorado and a very heartfelt thank you to those about it constantly. We eat, drink, and really who sacrificed all. taste it every single moment of every single day Mike did a tour in Iraq in 2007 and had been that our child is away. We pray they come home stationed for the last year in the mountains of in one piece; then it comes a point that we just (above) Mike as a baby and fishing in Lake Afghanistan. The father of four children, pray they come home. For this one soldier’s George at 11 years old. Michael grew up in Brooklyn and moved to mom, her prayers have been answered. Rahway when he was 15. After graduating from (left) Aspiring soldier in Rahway High School in 2000, Mike worked as a camouflage face for dispatcher for the Rahway Police Department Halloween at 15 yrs old. for a few years before deciding to join the army. (below) Mike in full He is currently stationed in Fort Carson, uniform taken in Colorado and has another year and a half before Afghanistan in 2009. returning to civilian life.

(above) Mike with dad Mike. (right) Mike with mom Marianne (left) Mike with brother Dale and dad.