County of Union, New Jersey
Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) presents a resolution to Ana Harper of Springfield congratulating her on being honor by the Susan G. Komen North Jersey organization at the group’s annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner for her volunteerism and commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Harper received the 2015 Promise of One Award. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders offers a call for entries to all 2D visual artists living and working in Union County to participate in the County’s first Art Outside The Box public art project – a nontraditional exhibition opportunity that broadens and diversifies public exposure to art murals. The theme of this art project is diversity. The deadline for entry is August 1, 2015. There is no fee required to participate.
“The entries for this public art project will support Union County’s ongoing efforts to broaden cultural development through the promotion, coordination, and integration of publicly accessible art,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
Offered as part of Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh’s Building A Community of the Arts initiative, a total of nine original artworks will be selected to cover traffic control boxes in select towns in Union County.
Funded by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Art Outside The Box project will provide a $200 honorarium for each artist whose work is selected.
For further details about how to participate, and to learn more about the project, including entry form, traffic control box locations, reference samples, and artist agreement are available online at www.ucnj.org/artoutsidethebox or call the Union County Department of Cultural Heritage at (908) 558-2550.
Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for adult mosquitoes tonight between 7:30pm and 11:30pm. The spraying will be predicated on the weather conditions; rain and high winds will cancel the operation. The areas to be sprayed are as follows:
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly rootsy rock ‘n’ roll family concert to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.
Plan a day trip for a children’s summer camp or bring the entire family to rock out with two-time Grammy nominees Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could singing songs that celebrate children of all abilities. Performing live on stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, the sensory–friendly children’s music concert is scheduled for two performances on Friday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Tickets for this sensory-friendly concert are $8 per person and seating is general admission. Group discounts are available for groups of ten or more. All tickets can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.
“Presented as part of our sensory-friendly performance series, the concert environment at the UCPAC is designed and adjusted to offer a relaxed and safe place for children and adults with sensory sensitivity, developmental and learning differences to enjoy the performing arts,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Inspired by children, Brady Rymer and his band deliver songs that engage audiences of all ages. The Freeholder board is proud to offer an opportunity for families to experience a music concert that celebrates, motivates, and empowers children of all abilities.”
Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could “might just be the best-sounding band in children’s music,” according to NPR’s All Things Considered. First class, all-American roots/rock with a feel-good R&B foundation is Rymer’s calling card – he creates a warm, optimistic, rollicking back-porch vibe that gets children and their families up and dancing, and smiling from ear to ear. Kids love the energy and Rymer’s magnetic, good-times-guy charm, and his musicianship is something even the most discerning music-loving parent can appreciate.
Autism Friendly Spaces (AFS) implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the Sensory-friendly performances. AFS provides specialists to train staff and volunteers on working with children with autism and other special needs during Sensory Friendly Theatre performances, while providing comfort and help to families.
For each of the special performances in the Sensory Friendly Theatre series, the theatre environment at the Union County PAC will be adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org.
For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.
For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4806 or visit ucnj.org.
ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs are happy to announce that the First Place hanging art works from the 2015 Union County Senior Citizens Art Contest and Exhibit are on exhibit at the Freeholders Gallery located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The winning pieces can be seen weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit will run until Wednesday, August 19.
The annual Union County Senior Citizen Art Show is open to artists who are 60 years of age or older and reside in Union County. The show is held from early June to mid-July in the atrium of the Elizabethtown Gas Company in Union.
The non-professional artists whose two-dimensional art works are included in the Freeholders Gallery exhibit are: Molly Brown of Rahway (Acrylic); Clarisse Kant of Cranford (Drawing & Prints); Marilyn Karr of Elizabeth (Mixed Media); Peggy Comegys of Roselle Park (Oil); Marjorie Picard of Scotch Plains (Pastel); William Gardner of Winfield Park (Photography); and Barbara Morano of Springfield (Watercolor).
The professional artists in the exhibit are: Genadiy Rozhkov of Springfield (Acrylic); Libby Reid of Rahway (Drawing & Prints); Frank Marshall of Roselle (Mixed Media); Avi Kiriakatis of Kenilworth (Oil); Anita Gladstone of Springfield (Pastel); Wolf Kretlow of Roselle (Photography); and Angelito David of Linden (Watercolor).
The first place winners for Sculpture and Craft are not on display at the Freeholders Gallery, but will also go on to compete at the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show. They are: Lynn Shereshewsky of Westfield (Non-Pro Craft); James Temple of Scotch Plains (Non-Pro Sculpture), Linda Rosen of Cranford (Pro Sculpture).
The first place winners, non-professional and professional, in each of the categories will move on to compete at the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show. The State show will take place at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor, New Jersey, this fall.
For further information and to learn more about exhibiting at the Freeholders Gallery, please contact Nicole DeAugustine, Curator, at the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone, 908-558-2550; or email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.
CLARK, NJ–The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues Wednesday evening, July 22, with Jo Bonanno & the Godsons of Soul taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series, presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder, will take place at Oak Ridge Park in Clark during the month of July and move to Echo Lake Park in Mountainside during the month of August.
Jo Bonanno & the Godsons of Soul have been electrifying audiences in the tri-state area since 1992 with their infectious style of Jersey Shore get-up-and-dance rock and soul music. Considered one of the Top Ten bands in New Jersey, they have opened shows for James Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis, The B-52s, Joan Jett, Mitch Ryder, and Eddie Money.
Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from vendors.
Once again, UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with Alluem Yoga of Cranford presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.
“We invite everyone to join us for our Wednesday night music programs at Oak Ridge Park,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “And don’t forget to arrive early to participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”
The Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout July and August. The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:
At Oak Ridge Park, Clark
At Echo Lake Park, Mountainside (All sponsored by ConnectOne Bank)
For rain information you can call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the concert or you can visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org.
Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, continues Tuesday, July 21 with the presentation of “Dolphin Tale 2” at Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle. This showing of “Dolphin Tale 2” is sponsored by Investors Bank.
As part of the evening’s events, UC Fit Kids, a health initiative of the Union County Freeholder Board, will offer fitness fun for children before the movie, beginning at 7:30 p.m. UC Fit Kids’ Yoga is presented by Lifetime Fitness of Berkeley Heights.
“Dolphin Tale 2” is an animated family drama, starring the voice of Morgan Freeman. It continues the story of rescued dolphin Winter, as the team that saved her life reassembles in the wake of her surrogate mother’s passing in order to find her a companion so she can remain at the Clearwater Marine Hospital.
“Family Fun & Flix, combined with UC Fit Kids, gives families an opportunity to enjoy an entertaining evening in our parks while picking up some healthy living tips,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
All movies will begin at dusk, with everyone encouraged to bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn. There will also be bleacher seats available.
The remaining schedule for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix is as follows:
All movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website; www.ucnj.org. In case of weather related matters, you can call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the show.
The following press release is from The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps.
TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015 PLAINFIELD, N.J. – The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps will hold its Fourth Annual Christmas in July Bicycle Giveaway on Thursday, July 23. This year, more than 100 local children will receive donated bicycles and helmets as well as participate in a Bike Rodeo given by Meadowlink’s “Safe Routes to School.”
“This is a labor of love for us,” said Lieutenant Luke Barney, Corps Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps. “Plainfield is our community, and we are thrilled to be able to provide bicycles to the children so they can enjoy the fun of riding.”
The popular bike giveaway is held twice-yearly both in the summer and winter. Over 100 bikes and parts have been donated by The Bike Stand in Scotch Plains, Jay’s Cycle Center in Westfield as well as Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, Plainfield Club. Children will also participate in a Bike Rodeo given by Meadowlink, a non-profit that encourages kids through education to bike and walk more often. Instructors will teach the children about pre-ride safety checks; bike sizing and helmet fitting; bicycle handling and safety drills; and tips on how to interact with traffic.
“The Bicycle Giveaway rallies the whole community to ensure that one of the essential joys of summer—riding a bicycle—is available to every child,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, we are very proud to be part of this unique event, which combines fun, safety, and fitness.”
The following are other local organizations that have lent a hand to the event:
“It’s amazing that my husband Rich has now restored 1,000 bicycles for the children of our area,” said Donna Albanese-DeMair of the Plainfield Dairy Queen. “The looks on the kids’ faces when they get their bicycles is just priceless. Now they can ride to school or work and also have fun while getting some exercise.”
The July event will mark the 1,000th free bike given away since the event commenced. Bicycle donations can be dropped off at the Plainfield Dairy Queen, 1367 South Ave. For children interested in getting a free bicycle at a future event, sign-ups take place at The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps at 615 Watchung Ave. Monday through Friday between 9am-3:30pm. For more information on The Salvation Army Plainfield Corps, please visit SalvationArmyNJ.org/plainfield.
[Media only: for more information on this program please contact Alexandria Hammond, Community Relations Manager, 908-851-8227 or Alexandria.Hammond@use.salvationarmy.org]
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The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to SalvationArmyNJ.org/plainfield.
Stop by the Plainfield Dairy Queen at 1367 South Ave. The Albanese family has been proudly serving the community since 1975. It’s open all year. Now serving: hot dogs, BBQ beef, salads, wraps. They also cater parties, give tours and much more. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dairy-Queen-Plainfield/147269811973649?fref=photo
The Union County Traffic Safety Education Program has been serving the citizens of the County since YEAR. It runs the Child Safety Seat Inspection Center as well as addressing bicycle safety for children. Every Wednesday and Thursday, the County conducts free child safety seat inspections from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Garwood First Aid Squad at 401 2nd Ave. No appointment necessary.
Meadowlink is a non-profit, public-private partnership that improves access to affordable transportation, reduces traffic congestion and promotes economic growth by working with business and government agencies to address the transportation challenges in Northern New Jersey. Under its EZ Ride brand, Meadowlink manages the state’s largest carpool, vanpool and employee shuttle programs as well as senior transportation, special transportation and bike and pedestrian services. Meadowlink operates in Bergen, Essex, Union, Monmouth and Passaic counties. For more information: http://www.ezride.org/; (201) 939-4242
Jay’s Cycle Center started primarily as a pet and hobby shop called Pet Land in Scotch Plains New Jersey in 1957. Sensing an opportunity in the bicycle industry, they started to sell bicycles and soon realized they had a knack for it. The shop is now located at 227 North Ave. East; 908-232-3250; sales@jayscyclecenter.com; http://jayscyclecenter.com/
The Bike Stand owner Steven Willis has been in the bicycle business for more than 30 years. He mostly sells Raleigh bicycles. Check out their website or visit the store in Scotch Plains and ask why. The Bike Stand is at 778 East Second Street; 908-322-3330; http://www.thebikestand.com
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County, Plainfield Club, offers many programs for children ages five to 18. One of its programs is the Buddie After-School Program, a high quality structured educational after-school program for young people in grades K-5. The Club is located at 530-534 West 7th St.; http://www.bgcuc.org/clubs/plainfield.aspx
AAA Northeast is headquartered in Florham Park and has branch offices in Roxbury, Union and West Caldwell. AAA Northeast provides automotive, travel, insurance, financial and educational services to residents of Essex, Morris and Union Counties. The Union office is located at 2317 U.S. 22 East.
Children’s Specialized Hospital is the preeminent provider of pediatric rehabilitation services and the largest pediatric rehabilitation health system in the United States. It has 12 locations in New Jersey. In Union County, the Mountainside facility is located at 150 New Providence Road. http://www.childrens-specialized.org/
Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is seeing a record increase in property transactions and revenues this year, reflecting continued improvement in the Union County economy and the housing market. The County Clerk’s Office is one of a handful of county offices that generates significant revenue, and the County portion of the revenues generated is dedicated to offset the county tax rate. Additionally, thanks to a change in state law several years ago, the increased revenue will also result in more funding for homeless services in Union County.
“The financial crisis of 2008 decimated the housing market, with a consequent drop in our revenues from transaction fees. Now that the crisis is behind us, the activity in our Recording Division reflects a much brighter outlook for the Union County,” said Rajoppi.
County Clerk and Recorder offices in all 21 New Jersey counties are mandated to record property transactions, and to collect fees for each transaction. A 2009 state law permits a surcharge of $3.00 per transaction to be set aside in a Homeless Trust Fund for each county.
“While we are still not back to our pre-crash levels, this year marks a significant turning point based on a comparison of the first five months of activity,” said Rajoppi.
Rajoppi’s Recording Division collected revenues of more than $15.4 million from January through May 2008, the year of the stock market crash. Collections for that five-month period sank to a low of $7.5 million in 2009 and never recovered to their previous high.
From January through May 2015, the Recording Division collected $13.2 million, beating the next-highest mark of $11.3 million in 2012, and far surpassing the 2014 total of $8.4 million.
The Business Division, which primarily handles passport and notary transactions, also reflects an improved economy. Its 2015 January – May revenues totaled $270,606. That already beats the Division’s 2008 high of $263,616 for the same period, as well as its next-highest mark of $226,236 in 2014.
“While a strong housing market is great news for property owners, many Union County households continue to struggle, including seniors and families with small children,” said Rajoppi. “My office worked with the Freeholder Board to ensure that Union County could participate in the Homeless Trust Fund program, and the result is that we have additional funding to help those in need.”
Rajoppi’s office began collecting Trust Fund surcharges in May 2010. As of May 2015, over $730,000 has been collected.
“As one of the very few county-based agencies which generate significant revenues, the Clerk’s office is in a unique position to assist with critical public service programs. When state law enabled the creation of the Homeless Trust Fund, we could not pass up this opportunity to help those in need,” said Rajoppi.
Programs approved for funding through the Trust Fund include rental vouchers designed to help at-risk families weather a temporary financial crisis without losing their homes. Funding also goes to support services to prevent homelessness, and to help homeless families obtain a home.
“While the total amount collected is relatively modest, the Trust Fund goes a long way toward ensuring that every child in Union County has the chance to grow up in a safe, healthy environment,” said Rajoppi. “I’m very proud that my office can play a role in that endeavor.”
For information on all County Clerk programs and services visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.
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Warinanco track and field, Oak Ridge archery range to close during the competition.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors that the National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) are coming to three county parks, from July 16 to July 24.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors and athletes from all over the country to our Union County parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board has worked to enhance our public recreation resources and provide a more welcoming environment for all, and it is wonderful to see these efforts bear fruit in a way that will help so many young people showcase their abilities on a national stage.”
Union County residents and visitors are encouraged to attend the events and cheer for top young athletes from all across the country. To ensure the safety of the competitors and the general public, the following facilities are reserved for use by NJDC participants for the duration of the event:
The NJDC will include a swimming event, but no special closure for this facility is needed. It will take place at the Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway River Park, during hours when the pool is normally not in use by the public.
The 2015 National Junior Disability Championships™ (NJDC)TM is presented by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Children’s Specialized Hospital and the NJDC2015NJ Local Organizing Committee. The annual competition celebrates athletes who have physical disabilities and either use wheelchairs, walkers or crutches, who wear orthotics or leg braces, or who may have difficulties with physical coordination.
The 2015 NJDC event will feature over 250 physically disabled athletes from across the country, including athletes from two New Jersey teams, the Children’s Lightning Wheels and the North Jersey Navigators.
The qualifying athletes, ranging in age from 7 to 22, will compete in Paralympic style events including track, field, pentathlon, swimming, powerlifting and archery.
For more information about the 2015 NJDC, including the games event schedule, sponsorship opportunities, and information on volunteering, visit NJDC2015NJ.com or email info@NJDC2015NJ.com.