County of Union, New Jersey

The roaring twenties are set to come alive this September at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage in a Gatsby-esque production of Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, presented by Fearless Hearts and Fearless Productions through the Union County Advancing Community Theater (UCACT) Program.

A steamy prohibition tale steamrolling and roaring its way across the stage, Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party was an off-broadway gem that garnered an array of industry accolades, including Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Obie awards. Based on Joseph Moncure March’s 1928 narrative poem of the same name, the darkly brilliant show features one of the most exciting, pulse-racing scores ever written.

A take on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the show paints a vivid picture of a decadent and deadly all-night party in late 1920s Manhattan, just a year before the Crash of 1929, when nearly everything in America would collapse.

It’s the story of a desperately damaged relationship between vaudeville dancer Queenie and vaudeville clown Burrs, two vicious, reckless people, whose lives are spiraling downward fast, filled to the brim with meaningless sex, drugs, drinking, jealousies, and casual betrayals.

The show runs at the UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage September 11th-12th, 18th-19th at 8:00 p.m., September 20th at 3:00 p.m., September 26th at 8:00 p.m. and September 27th at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at ucpac.org or through the UCPAC Box Office at 732-499-8226. Seating is general admission and tickets are priced at $20.

The UCACT program grants funding to cover the hard costs associated with putting up at production at the Union County Performing Arts Center. Through creative partnership and a holistic approach, the program creates a successful business model for Community Theater, allowing them to provide quality performances while also thriving financially.

For more information on UCACT, please contact Victoria Durbin Drake, Chief of Staff, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, at 908-558-2278 or visit ucnj.org/ucact.

Union County, NJ  – Due to overwhelming demand, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi has scheduled a another special training session for persons who are interested in becoming a Notary Public, as well as Notaries who would like to hone and update their skills. The new session will be held on Friday, September 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room at the County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, in Elizabeth. Coffee and a light breakfast will be served.

Attendance is by pre-registration only, with a nominal registration fee of $5.00. Attendance is limited to the first 75 persons to register by Friday, September 18.

“Notaries Public occupy a position of trust and integrity in our community, and this training session will help you engage in your duties as an impartial office of the State of New Jersey,” said Rajoppi. “I encourage you to attend.”

The two-hour session will begin with opening remarks and a review of the application process by Rajoppi. Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, who is a partner at the law firm of Krevsky, Silber & Bergen, will present the legal aspects of the functions of notaries public.

“When we held our first training session earlier this year, the demand far outstripped our capacity. It was a clear demonstration that County residents value this opportunity to learn and grow professionally, and I would like to thank Vice Chairman Bergen in advance for helping to make this additional session possible,” said Rajoppi.

Registration forms are available online at ucnj.org/county-clerk/new-jersey-notary-training. To register, send the form and a check of $5.00 payable to “Union County Clerk” to:

Office of the Union County Clerk

2 Broad Street, Room 115

Elizabeth, New Jersey 07207

For more information, or to obtain a registration form by mail, contact Donna Connell at the County Clerk’s office by Friday, September 18, at 908-527-4999 or dconnell@ucnj.org. Inquiries are also accepted by fax at 908-558-2589.

Details on all Union County Clerk programs and services are available online at ucnj.org/county-clerk.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders celebrated National Night Out 2015 at Meisel Park in Springfield NJ. The evening consisted of music, food, games, raffles, public safety demonstrations and displays, jugglers, movie night and more. For more information on Union County events visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/ . For more videos visit Union County Television on Youtube at www.ucnj.org/tv

Union County, NJ  –  For more than thirty years, trained volunteers have made the Union County Rape Crisis Center a beacon of hope for victims of sexual violence, by providing support and guidance through the legal, medical and emotional aftermath. County residents can join this rewarding volunteer experience by attending the next round of training sessions, starting at the end of September.

No previous experience in crisis counseling is necessary.

“All we ask of our volunteers is that they have a big heart, a strong capacity for empathy, and a desire to make a difference at a point of crisis in someone’s life,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “If you are looking for a deeply meaningful way to serve the Union County community, I encourage you to contact Union County Rape Crisis Center and join the next training session.”

The Union County Rape Crisis Center (UCRCC) has been a part of the Union County Department of Human Services since 1984. As advocates for victims of sexual violence, UCRCC volunteers most often provide guidance over the phone.

Volunteer advocates may also accompany a victim to the police station, hospital or courtroom. If requested by the victim, advocates provide support and guidance to family members, loved ones or friends.

“Despite some progress, women – and men – who are dealing with the aftermath of sexual violence can still encounter obstacles, outmoded ways of thinking, and lack of support within their own circle,” said Jalloh. “Our UCRCC volunteers are there to help them overcome these barriers and reclaim their lives.”

The next round of training sessions for Volunteer Advocates begin Monday, September 28 and conclude Friday, November 6. The program includes 11 classes that will be held Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Colleen Fraser Building in the County services complex, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age, hold a valid driver’s license, and have their own vehicle. Prior to training, prospective volunteers are scheduled for an informal interview.

To schedule an interview, or for more information about volunteering, call the UCRCC hotline at 908-233-7273.  Additional information is available at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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Union County, NJ – Children at the Rahway Public Library got a fun introduction to the principles of the scientific method this summer from a group of volunteer Union County 4-H Science Ambassadors. The projects included blowing bubbles and a simple “ski slope” demonstration.

“The 4-H Science Ambassador program helps young people to feel confident about their ability to gain knowledge through research,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “That’s an important first step to a STEM career, and our 4-H Science Ambassadors are to be commended for providing the next generation of scientists and engineers with support and encouragement.”

4-H is a national youth development program. In Union County, 4-H is supported by the Freeholder Board, Rutgers University’s Cooperative Extension, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Science Ambassador team consisted of high school students Christopher Stradford, Ana Rita Oliveira, Patrick Yurick, Manpreet Nagra and Vladimir Lee of Rahway, Keziah White of Cranford, Kyle Grant of Union and Camille Herbert of Plainfield.

To prepare for their Rahway Library presentation in July, they attended the 4-H Summer Science Program at Rutgers University earlier in the month. They lived on campus at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences during the one-week program, learning about scientific investigation as it relates to current issues and challenges.

The 4-H Science Ambassador program was sponsored by Rahway Public Library, Rahway High School and the Samsung Corperation.

For information the 4-H Science Ambassador high school program, or to join a 4-H club for students in grades 1-12, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 4-H Youth Development Agent James Nichnadowicz at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org or 908-654-9854, or come to the annual 4-H Open House on September 18.

Details on all 4-H programs are available online in “County Visions,” the Union County 4-H Summer/Fall brochure, at ucnj.org/rce.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite residents to participate in the 2015 “Choose Your Cover” program to help reduce the risk of skin cancer this Saturday, August 15.

To promote sun safety and the early detection of skin cancer, this summer the Chronic Disease Coalition of Middlesex and Union Counties is providing free skin cancer screenings along with their “Choose Your Cover” message of prevention.

In Union County, the “Choose Your Cover” event will take place at the Gran Centurions Pool, 440 Madison Hill Road, Clark, on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The first 20 attendees will receive a special gift bag with skin cancer promotional materials. All attendees will also qualify to enter a drawing for a gift basket courtesy of Clark Township Health Department.

“Summer is a great time to be outdoors enjoying our parks, playgrounds and pools. This program is important to help remind all residents to take precautions to prevent overexposure to the sun,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “I’d like to thank the Chronic Disease Coalition and the Township of Clark for raising public awareness about reducing skin cancer risks.”

Before you head outdoors this summer, representatives from the Chronic Disease Coalition of Middlesex and Union Counties urge you to take sun safe precautions to protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun.

People who work or play outdoors, fair skinned people who sunburn easily, and those with a family history of melanoma are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer – the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays is one of the most preventable risk factors for melanoma and all types of skin cancer. This is why it is so important to ‘choose your cover’ and reduce your risk accordingly.

Covering up your skin with long sleeve shirts and long pants in tightly woven fabrics can offer a great means of protection for your skin. Opt for a wide-brimmed hat over a baseball cap for better protection of your head, ears and neck, and wear sunglasses with 100 percent UVA and UVB absorption to protect the eyes from sun damage.

Look for shady areas or avoid the sun, if possible, during the middle of the day when UV rays are the strongest. Remember to liberally apply a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and reapply frequently, and steer clear of indoor tanning beds which are proven to increase your risk for skin cancer.

For more information about “Choose Your Cover” 2015, please call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5620.

Union County Freeholder Linda Carter participated in Plainfield’s Health Fair Hosted By Plainfield Neighborhood Health Center on August 10th. Local media website TapIntoPlainfield stated: In honor of National Health Center Week (NHCW), which has been celebrated for more than 30 years, the Plainfield Neighborhood Health Center (1700-58 Myrtle Avenue) hosted a free health fair event on Monday, August 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The health fair featured free health and dental screenings, nutritional information, adoption information, music, games, refreshments, giveaways and guest speakers.  View their full article by clicking here.

from left to right Deputy Director of Economic Development City of Plainfield Carlos Sanchez, Sr. VP Medical Affairs JFK Health Dr. Bill Oser, Director of Administration and Finance City of Plainfield Ron West, CEO of NHSC D, Rudine Smith, Pyles Superintendent Plainfield Public Schools Ana Belin, Union County Freeholder Linda Carter, NJ State Dept of Health official Linda Anderson and Assemblyman Jerry Green, 21st District.