When searching for a place to live, security ranks somewhere near the top for most people. So, it should ease your mind to know that Westfield was named the safest city in Union County by SafeWise.com. Cranford came in second.Westfield: A Safe Place to LiveSafeWise gathered crime statistics data for thousands of municipalities across the country. They used FBI stats from 2017 (the most recent data available) to determine rankings. New Jersey cities made up almost 1/3 of the top 100 safest cities in the nation (30 of them, to be precise). Westfield ranked #6 in the state and #1 in Union County.SafeWise looked at the rate of violent crimes as well as property crimes per 1,000 people to determine rankings. The national average for violent crimes reported in the US in 2017 was 4.49 per 1000... 05/17/2019

Every year, the Friends of NJ Festival Orchestra hold a fundraiser that showcases some of the most distinguished homes in the city. The money raised from this highly anticipated event helps finance the performances put on by the New Jersey Festival Orchestra each year. The Westfield Tour of Notable Homes 2019 takes place the day before Mother's Day and features four very different houses located around the city.What: Westfield Tour of Notable Homes 2019When: Saturday, May 11th, 10 am to 3 pmAdmission: $40 in advance/$45 day ofContact: Friends of NJ Festival Orchestra (908) 232-9400Westfield Tour of Notable Homes 2019The homes on this year's tour include a beautiful 1920s manor home, a modern take on a Tudor-style mansion, the design of an eco-conscious architect, and a recently construc... 05/03/2019

As the weather begins to warm up, we begin to see more buyers venturing into the Westfield real estate market. Spring tends to heat things up. Families want to move while kids are out of school. So, they start their search now. The Westfield Area Market Report for March 2019 seems to show that the luxury market is right on point.Westfield Area Market Report - March 2019Active Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale - March 2019The Garden State MLS reported a total of 34 luxury Westfield area homes for sale in March 2019. Of those, 19 were either newly constructed or currently under construction. Ten property came onto the Westfield market within the last 30 days. They include a condo in the always desirable Savannah, a 2015 Gialluisi custom colonial with a view of the 5th hole of the Echo Lake ... 04/19/2019

Our local Jersey Mike's and Savory Spice aren't the only businesses who give back to the community. (You still have a few more days to be a part of their respective "Month of Giving" campaigns, by the way.) Outta Hand Pizza Westfield also gives back. But, for them, it's a year-round thing.Outta Hand Pizza Westfield Feeds Veterans for FreeOwner Burim Regjaj purchased Outta Hand Pizza Westfield just last year. Shortly after taking over the business, a hungry gentleman came in for a bite to eat but didn't have any money to pay. After talking to the man, Mr. Regjaj learned that he was a veteran. It saddened him that, after giving so selflessly to serve our country, this man couldn't even afford to pay for a slice of pizza. That's when Mr. Regjaj decided to feed our vets and to get the Westf... 04/12/2019

In a country as rich as ours, it's hard to believe that people struggle to put food on the table for their families. Statistics show that more than 900,000 New Jersey residents experience food insecurity every single day. The Community Food Bank of New Jersey is the largest anti-hunger organization in the state. They managed to serve over 47 million meals to families all over New Jersey in 2018 alone. To help them with their mission, the Savory Spice Shop in Westfield is hosting a food drive until the end of March. But they need your help to make it a success.Westfield Savory Spice Food DriveHow can you help the Westfield Savory Spice food drive? Stop by the shop located at 138 Broad St. between now and March 31st. Pick up some of their special blends of spices to make your dinner more ... 03/29/2019

Go to lunch. Help a charity. That's what you'll find when you order a sandwich at Jersey Mike's anytime throughout the month of March. Their 2019 "Month of Giving" campaign marks the 9th year that this New Jersey-based franchise has raised money for local charities across the country.Jersey Mike's "Month of Giving" CampaignThroughout the entire month of March, all Jersey Mike's locations will accept donations for several different local charities. You designate which one you want your money to go to. On March 27th, every single dime the company makes from sandwich sales for the day will be distributed to the local charity supported by that location as part of their annual "Day of Giving". In the case of Westfield's Broad St. location, Westfield Area Y benefits. That's not just the profi... 03/22/2019

Girl Scouts have been around for more than 100 years. Today, their membership boasts 2.5 million in the United States. If you've been to the grocery store anytime in the past month or two, it may have felt like even more than that. (Hello, Thin Mints!) Whether you dunk them, nibble them, pull them apart to eat them, or swallow them whole, there's no denying that Girl Scout cookies taste fantastic. At the Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019, girl scouts transform these tasty treats into appetizers and other kinds of desserts. But that's only the beginning of this cookie cook-off.What: Scotch Plains Great Cookie Cook-Off 2019Where: Shackamaxon Country Club (100 Tillinghast Turn)When: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 6 pm to 8 pmContact: Mara, Girl Scouts Heart of NJ via email (funddevelopme... 03/15/2019

Do you love mysteries? Did you read Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy novels as a kid? Is Sherlock Holmes your favorite detective of all time? Or do you identify more with the sharp mind of Hercule Poirot? Put your sleuthing skills to the test at the Westfield Midday Madness Clue Hunt 2019 event.What: Westfield Midday Madness Clue Hunt 2019Where: 76 Elm St, Downtown WestfieldWhen: Sunday, March 10th, 1 pm to 4 pmAdmission: $10/adult, $5/childContact: Beth Brenner, Downtown Westfield Corp., (908) 789-9444 or via emailWestfield Midday Madness Clue Hunt 2019On Sunday, March 10th, Downtown Westfield Corp invites the public to join in on the Westfield Midday Madness Clue Hunt. They encourage families and friends to form teams of up to 10 people. Receive a list of clues at 76 Elm St. in Downtown Westfi... 03/08/2019

Some people like the hustle and bustle of big city life. Others crave a small town atmosphere to raise a family. Westfield offers the benefits that the small town living provides. But it's located close enough to Manhattan to enjoy everything a big city has to offer. Wallethub looked at over 1,200 US cities with 25,000 to 100,000 residents to come up with their Best Small Cities in America list. Westfield came in at the #30 spot for the entire country, making it one of the top three New Jersey towns on the list.How Wallethub Determined RankingWallethub ranked each of the 1268 cities they looked at by comparing statistics in five distinct categories: Affordability Economic Health Education & Health Quality of Life Safety They looked at the median household income compared to the cost of ... 03/01/2019

What goes better with freezing temperatures than nice, warm comfort food? Creamy casseroles. New England clam chowder. Mama's thick, rich chili. They all take the bite out of cold winter evenings. To help inspire the community to engage with one another during the dark days of winter, the City decided to put together a Westfield Chili and Chowder Cook-Off. But they need tasters to help them judge the best of the best. And that, my friend, could be you.Westfield Chili and Chowder Cook-Off 2019Right now, the very first official Westfield Chili and Chowder Cook-Off includes members of our local fire and police departments, Public Works Department staff, and nine restaurants. But, over the next couple of weeks, that group could expand to even more local professional and amateur chefs.Here's... 02/15/2019

With the polar vortex in full force over the last couple of days, not many buyers were out looking at homes at the end of January. But the rest of the month proved profitable for many sellers. According to the Westfield Area Market Report for January 2019, a slew of newly constructed homes hit the market recently. With an absorption rate of 3.88 months, prices continue to rise. Now's a great time to put your property on the market.Westfield Area Market Report - January 2019Active Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale - January 2019The Garden State MLS reported a total of 26 active Westfield luxury homes for sale in January 2019. Of those, 16 were brand new construction. Twelve homes came onto the market in just the last 30 days, including a 2018 Northside duplex (16 days ago), a 2005 colonial... 02/08/2019

A winter storm watch for Western Union County goes into effect at noon on January 19th and continues through 6 pm on January 20th. Weather experts predict as much as three to five inches of snow accumulation as well as thick sheets of ice around the county. Wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph. That makes travel on the roads treacherous. Because of this, Mayor Brindle and Greg O'Neill, the Director of Public Works, went on Facebook live this morning to give some Westfield winter parking and snow removal reminders to make the roads a little safer for everyone out there.Westfield Winter Parking RemindersFor Westfield winter parking, when snowfall hits three inches or above, no one is allowed to park on public streets in most areas of the city. Street parking can resume only after the snow ... 01/25/2019

In today's ever-changing world, we rely more and more on computers and technology. Coding provides a boost to children's education. How? By teaching them valuable language and problem-solving skills. It also helps them stay organized and spurs on their creativity. If you want to give your child's education a boost, sign them up for the Westfield Code Ninjas Day Camp this MLK Day.What: Westfield Code Ninjas Day CampWhere: Code Ninjas Westfield (1006 S Ave W)When: Monday, January 21st, 8:30 am to 4 pmCost: $89 per child (ages 7 and up)Contact: Protima Pandey, Code Ninjas (908) 516-8869 or via emailWestfield Code Ninjas Day CampAt the Westfield Code Ninjas Day Camp, kids ages 7 and up learn how to figure out probabilities such as how often heads will come up in a game of "heads or tails". ... 01/13/2019

There are only a few more days left before we close out 2018. What will you be doing this New Year's Eve? Enjoy an early celebration with the entire family. Listen to great music and watch amazing dancers perform when Broadway comes to Westfield for a New Year's Eve concert you won't soon forget.What: Westfield New Year's Eve ConcertWhere: Westfield High School AuditoriumWhen: December 31st, 7 pm to 9 pmCost: $42 to $70 per personContact: New Jersey Festival Orchestra (908) 232-9400 or via emailWestfield New Year's Eve ConcertThe very talented New Jersey Festival Orchestra provides the accompaniment for special guest vocalists straight from Broadway for a Westfield New Year's Eve concert. New for this year, professional dancers from the Dance Theater of Harlem showcase their talents alo... 01/11/2019

Twinkling lights. A decorated tree. Christmas carols. Stockings hung by the chimney with care. All of these evoke festive feelings. So does the sight of a gingerbread house. This year, the City hosts its very first Westfield Gingerbread House Contest. But they need your help to decide the winner. Westfield Gingerbread House ContestHave you ever wondered what the Mindowaskin Bandstand, train station, United Methodist Church or the Watcher House would look like in gingerbread form? Well wonder no more. These and other efforts can be seen in various locations around the downtown Westfield area. They're just four of the almost two dozen entries in the Westfield Gingerbread House Contest.Visit the City of Westfields webpage to look at photos of each entry. Vote for your favorite in each of t... 12/28/2018

Music helps put just about everyone in a festive mood. With only 10 more shopping days until Christmas, you'll probably be spending the next couple of weekends shopping to complete your gift list. If that shopping takes you downtown, you'll also be treated to several live Westfield Christmas music performances courtesy of several talented musicians and singers as they stroll the downtown streets.Live Westfield Christmas Music Performances for 2018Harmonics QuartetEvery Thursday since Thanksgiving, the Harmonics Quartet has sung classic Christmas tunes as well as some contemporary holiday favorites in downtown Westfield. Next Thursday, December 20th, marks their final performance of Westfield Christmas Music for the year. You can see them perform while you shop between 6:30 pm and 8:30 p... 12/21/2018

In addition to twinkling lights and sparkling displays, music becomes an integral part of many holiday celebrations. What better way to get you in the mood for Christmas than with the Westfield Return of the Holiday Tenors. For one night only, they perform at the Presbyterian Church of Westfield. You've never heard Christmas songs sung like this before.What: Westfield Return of the Holiday Tenors Where: Presbyterian Church of Westfield (130 Mountain Ave) When: Saturday, Dec 15th, 7 pm Cost: $15-$76 per seat Contact: New Jersey Festival Orchestra (908) 232-9400 or via emailWestfield Return of the Holiday Tenors David Wroe conducts the New Jersey Festival Orchestra as they provide the musical accompaniment for the Westfield Return of the Holiday Tenors. John Easterlin from the Metropolita... 12/14/2018

Tomorrow, we enter the final month of the year. And the City of Cranford wants to make sure to end 2018 with a bang. They've scheduled tons of great holiday events over the next few weeks. Since I'm sure you won't want to miss anything, I've put together this list of upcoming 2018 holiday fun in Cranford. Which ones will you be participating in?2018 Holiday Fun in CranfordHomes for the Holidays House Tour Visit four beautiful Cranford homes decked out in all of their holiday finery this Sunday, December 2nd on the Holidays House Tour. For just $25 per person, take a self-guided tour of these properties. Inside each home, volunteers share details about the property's history while guests dine on light refreshments. As a courtesy to the homeowners and for your comfort, please wear low-hee... 12/07/2018

Skating outdoors during the winter is exhilarating. Whether playing hockey or figure skating, an outdoor rink offers another layer of enjoyment that an indoor rink can't provide. Earlier this month, a temporary Westfield ice rink officially opened up at Gumbert Park. On March 1st, 2019, it will be torn down and restored back to its original usage. Until then, it's open to the public.What: Temporary Westfield Ice Rink Where: Gumbert Park (5 Chestnut St) When: Now through March 1, 2019 Hours of Operation: 3 pm to 9:10 pm M-F, 8 am to 9:10 pm Sat, 8 am to 8 pm SunTemporary Westfield Ice Rink Why make Gumbert Park the location of a temporary Westfield ice rink? The park provided a large, level surface on which to create the ice rink. That helped minimize the cost of construction. Its placem... 11/30/2018

Thanksgiving is less than a week away. Christmas Day follows just over a month later. Lord & Taylor celebrates the holidays in Westfield with a little charity and a photo-op with the jolly old elf himself.Lord & Taylor Charity DayTomorrow, November 17th, Lord & Taylor in Westfield hosts their annual Charity Day. Local charities all over the Westfield area have been selling $5 tickets specifically for Charity Day. With this ticket, you receive a special 25% discount on almost everything in the store when you shop at Lord & Taylor between 10 am and 9 pm on Charity Day. They also offer a 15% discount on most of their beauty products during the event. If you haven't picked up a ticket at your favorite charity lately, you can purchase one at Lord & Taylor's in Westfield tomorrow.Holidays in ... 11/23/2018