Covid-19
Recycling Events
Union County presents Free Festive Drive-Up Movie Night on December 9th
The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation, invites all county residents to a fun-filled, free drive-up movie night on Saturday, December 9th, at the parking lot of Union County Vocational-Technical High School.
“This drive-up movie night is our way of bringing the community together for a safe and joyful celebration,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “Holidays are meant to be celebrated by all and this free event is a chance for everyone to participate. So I encourage our residents to invite their friends and neighbors and join us in the spirit of community at this special event. See you all there!”
The event promises a magical experience for families and friends, with the screening of the holiday classic “Elf,” which is celebrating its 20th year. It will take place in the parking lot of Union County Vocational-Technical High School, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. The lot will open its gates at 5:30 p.m., allowing moviegoers to secure their prime spots before the festivities kick off. The movie will start promptly at 6:30 p.m.
In addition to the movie, as part of the festivities, attendees will have the chance to step into a winter wonderland with an enjoyable photo opportunity inside a life-sized snow globe, where they can capture the evening against the backdrop of a festive winter scene. Each attendee will receive a ticket for a free cookie and beverage to enjoy during the movie.
While this event is free, residents should pre-register for the drive-up movie which is now open. Pre-registration on http://ucnj.org/reserve is necessary for this event. A rain date has been scheduled for Sunday, December 10th.
For more information about the events and activities run by the Department of Parks and Recreation, please visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation.
Volunteering in Union County Parks is Easier than Ever
Each year, hundreds of community volunteers fan out through Union County parks to clean up litter, clear debris, repair trails and improve natural habitats. Now volunteering is easier than ever before, thanks to free tools and other assistance provided by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Recycling.
“We are very grateful for the many individuals, environmental groups, Scouts, schools, businesses and other organizations that dedicate their time and energy to help keep our parks beautiful and welcoming, year in and year out,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “By coordinating the resources of our Parks and Recycling offices, we aim to make organizing a volunteer project easy and hassle-free for everyone.”
The Union County parks system hosts four main types of volunteer programs:
Adopt-a-Park: Beautification and restoration projects including clearing litter and debris, restoring native plants and removing invasive plants.
Adopt-a-Trail/Trail Stewards: Help remove encroaching vegetation from trails and paved pathways; help repair eroded sections and clear debris from culverts.
Chainsaw Crew: Help remove fallen trees from trails and paths (training required to participate).
Clean Communities: This program focuses on litter cleanups with support from the statewide Clean Communities program. Organizers only need to bring themselves and their volunteers. Work gloves, litter grabbers and bags are all provided free of charge.
Individuals or groups that are interested in organizing a volunteer project in any of these four areas can contact the Department of Parks and Recreation by email at park.env.services@ucnj.org to start the process.
For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/07/14/volunteering-in-union-county-parks-is-easier-than-ever/
Senior Services – Just “ASK” information kiosk
Residents seeking information about services for seniors and their care givers can come to Union County’s Aging Services Kiosk events and meet in person with professional staff for guidance on senior programs and resources, including help with filling out applications and forms.
ASK is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60-plus and their care givers. Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.
Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed.
Visit ucnj.org/aging for upoming dates.
Full Time Emergency Medical Technicians
Job benefits include free training opportunities and HazMat cross-training through the Union County Fire/EMS Academy.
Union County has full time job openings for certified Emergency Medical Technicians. The full-time benefits package includes free career development through the Union County Fire/EMS academy.
All applicants must be residents of Union County.
“We are very proud of our EMTs, who work to meet the daily needs and extraordinary demands for life saving services in our community. We are looking forward to meeting the newest members of our emergency services team,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “
For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/04/26/union-county-is-hiring-full-time-emergency-medical-technicians-apply-today/
Union County Host Donation Drive for the people of Ukraine
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has uprooted families, injured citizens, and left thousands of Ukrainian refugees without access to basic necessities. To date, nearly 1.5 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, many leaving behind necessary supplies.
To support individuals in need, the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office have partnered to organize a county-wide donation drive for the people of Ukraine.
Beginning today, a donation box will be available in the lobby of Union County law enforcement agencies, twenty-four locations in all. Members of the public are invited to bring donations of first aid supplies, toiletries, flashlights, blankets, batteries, clothing, shoes, diapers, formula, and more. The program will run for the foreseeable future, as long as continued aid is needed. This donation drive is made possible through a partnership with law enforcement and local Polish and Ukrainian organizations.
For more information: https://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2022/03/15/union-county-to-host-donation-drive-for-people-of-ukraine/
Cultural Events Around the County
Dec. 8-9-10 & Dec. 15-16-17
Fridays 8 pm. Saturdays 2 pm and 8 pm. Sundays 2 pm.
THEATRE
The Wizard of Oz
Off to see the Wizard! Cranford Dramatic Club presents the beloved tale of a Kansas farm girl who travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home – to enchant families during the holidays!
By L. Frank Baum; with Music and Lyrics by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg; Background Music by Herbert Stothart.
Dance and Vocal Arrangements by Peter Howard; Orchestration by Larry Wilcox; Adapted by John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.
Tickets: $25-$33
CDC Theatre
78 Winans Ave., Cranford
908-276-7611
Theatre and restroom are wheelchair-accessible.
Dec. 15
7:30 pm
FREE CONCERT
Holiday Concert by the Westfield Community Concert Band
The Band presents its 33rd Annual Holiday Concert, with performances by the Edison Intermediate School Broadway Singers and special guest Kerry Stubbs, a long-time Union County music educator, vocalist and actor. Mr. Stubbs will narrate “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by Clemente Clarke Moore, with band accompaniment.
The program will includes “Ukrainian Bell Carol,” “The Eighth Candle,” “A John Rudder Christmas,” “Once in Royal David’s City,” “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,” as played by the Boston Pops. The finale is a joint performance of “White Christmas.”
FREE
Edison Intermediate School Auditorium
800 Rahway Ave., Westfield
908-337-9073
westfieldcommunityband.com
The venue is wheelchair-accessible.
Dec. 16
7:30 pm
HOLIDAY CONCERT
Joyful, Joyful: A Holiday Concert Spectacular!
Continuo Arts Foundation presents their annual holiday concert – featuring hundreds of singers of all ages, with orchestra, a Sing-A-Long, Santa and more. The Children’s Choir of New Jersey, Youth Choir of New Jersey, Civic Chorale of New Jersey, Seniors Sing, and Sonare will all perform. This magical, musical evening concludes with Beethoven’s 9th ‘Ode to Joy’ with guest artists Clarum Sonum.
Tickets: $25 Adults / $15 Seniors & Students
Summit High School
125 Kent Place Blvd., Summit
908-264-5324
cafmusic.org/joyful23
Wheelchair-accessible seating on request.
Jan. 28
3 pm
CONCERT
The Choral Art Society of NJ
Choral Art Society, directed by Martin Sedek, will perform Rutter’s “Mass of the Children” and Chilcott’s “Circlesong” (featuring the NJ Youth Chorus) in this concert held in consideration of our children and our stewardship of the future. “Circlesong” is a musical portrayal of the human life cycle as captured by poetry of indigenous North Americans. Concert also includes the World Premiere of a newly commissioned work, “The Greatest Miracle,” by celebrated composer Andrey Stolyarov.
Tickets: $30 (advance/online); $35 at the door
The Presbyterian Church of Westfield
140 Mountain Ave., Westfield
908-209-5435
casofnj.org
Wheelchair-accessible venue. Large-print programs available. For any other needs, call 908-209-5435 and you will be accommodated.