County of Union, New Jersey
Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Christopher Hudak and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Andrew Dolan of Cranford (center ) and Elgin Ebbesen of Hillside on being named the Most Valuable Players in their respective leagues in the Union County Baseball Association’s 2015 summer youth leagues during the end-of-season picnic in Warinanco Park in Roselle.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados congratulates students who took part in the Union County Freeholders College for Teens during the class commencement at Union County College in Cranford. This summer more than a hundred students from throughout Union County completed the three-week program which offers teens in grades 9 through 12 opportunities to explore a variety of career choices while experiencing life on a college campus.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders sponsors the free program for high school students each summer. Since College for Teens began in 2001, more than 1,000 students from all 21 municipalities in Union County have completed the program.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
UNION COUNTY, NJ—For the second year in a row, Union County experienced one of the highest wage increases of any large County in America, ranking within the top 20 nationally, and second highest in the state of New Jersey.
Union County realized a 4.5 percent average weekly wage percent increase from 2013-2014, marking the second year in a row of high gains. From 2012-2013, Union County averaged a 5.2 percent increase, making it fourth highest among the nation’s most populous counties.
Atlantic County was the only other County with a higher wage increase, but economists of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics attributed it to a five percent increase in that County’s unemployment rate last year—the largest in the America.
“Our investments in Union County’s workforce as a whole are assisting our residents to enjoy the higher wage increases as the economy has improved,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The County’s has worked to foster a climate that encourages employment growth, productivity and sustainability.”
Chairman Jalloh has initiated an expansion of the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center (WIB Center) as part of his initiatives on behalf of County government for 2015. Over the past two years, the Freeholder Board has invested well over $2 million into job training, placements, programs for entrepreneurs, and for businesses that hire county residents. To date this past year, the WIB Center has worked with its private sector partners to identify 800 new jobs for County residents, and is in the process of providing training and job placements.
The Workforce Innovation Business Center just worked with Whole Foods to train and hire approximately 187 people for positions for their new store that is opening in Clark in August, and other regional locations. Whole Foods has committed to continuing to use the WIB Center at Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth to continue to identify County residents for any jobs that may arise in the region.
Recently, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved funding for United Way of Greater Union (UWGUC) to implement Chairman Jalloh’s Focus on Families initiative that will integrate economic development, workforce development (in conjunction with the WIB) and family services in a comprehensive effort to support families, particularly those most in need. The initiative calls for the building of two new Family Success Centers (Union and Rahway) and the implementation of a Youth Employment Program to begin later in the year.
Finally as part of Chairman Jalloh’s initiatives, the County’s Economic Development Department worked to start an Economic Development response team that has gone town-to-town to meet with elected officials to assess their needs, have an open dialogue and determine what the county do to meet their means.
For more information on County services and programs please visit www.ucnj.org
For more statistical information on wage growth in NJ, go to: http://www.bls.gov/regions/new-york-new-jersey/news-release/countyemploymentandwages_newjersey.htm
Photos from our Hey Bulldog – Beatles Tribute concert featured free UC-Get-Fit community yoga. View more great upcoming events, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders at www.ucnj.org/summer.
Bring the entire family to rock out and beat the heat with two-time Grammy nominees Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could singing songs that celebrate children of all abilities.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring this sensory-friendly family concert to the stage at the fully air conditioned Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway with two live performances this Friday, July 31 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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.
Union County, NJ — The Union County free Summer Arts Festival concert series continues on Wednesday evening, August 5, with Good Vibrations at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Family friendly pre-concert activities begin at 6:30 and the band hits the stage at 7:30.
“Come and enjoy a cool evening under the stars in the wide open spaces of Echo Lake Park, yoga with the experts, and great music, all with no charge,” Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
Summer Arts is a long running initiative of the Union County Freeholder Board, with the help of community sponsors. ConnectOne Bank is the sponsor for the Good Vibrations show.
More than just your typical tribute act, Good Vibrations celebrates the legacy and spirit of the legendary California icons by recreating the timeless music, youthful appearance and excitement of seeing the original Beach Boys lineup in their mid-1960s prime. This high energy production brings the days of sun, surf and cars vividly back to life.
Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars. Refreshments and snacks are also available from vendors.
The August 5 pre-concert activities feature UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative. Satsang Yoga of Westfield will present a free community yoga 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.
Concerts at Echo Lake take place in the field opposite the gazebo and water wheel, near the east end. For a map of Echo Lake Park visit ucnj.org.
The Echo Lake Park shows are all sponsored by ConnectOne Bank. The shows are:
In case of inclement weather 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 visit Union County online at ucnj.org.
“Family Fun & Flix” Teams up with “National Night Out” at Meisel Park in Springfield, August4, Featuring the Movie “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”
SPRINGFIELD, NJ- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation announce that the next evening of “Family Fun & Flix – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – will team-up with National Night Out organizers on August 4 at Meisel Park, off Meisel Avenue in Springfield.
National Night Out activities, sponsored Target, Route 22 in Union Township, start at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Come out and explore emergency vehicles and check out games, activities, and demonstrations provided by the Union County Police and the Springfield Police Department. Union County Sheriff’s Officers will be on hand for fingerprinting, and there will be EMT Units and the American Red Cross. Magician Will Shaw will be on hand performing magic tricks throughout the grounds.
Following the National Night Out activities, those in attendance can enjoy the family comedy “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” which tells the story of 12 year old Alexander Cooper and his family who all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Free popcorn will be given to all children in attendance for the movie courtesy of Performance Food Group.
“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy free refreshments, activities and fun things for the kids to do, meet police and emergency personnel, and learn about safety and public awareness programs,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn for a good view before the movie begins at sundown.”
This summer’s Family Fun and Flix will continue on Tuesday, August 11, returning to Warinanco Park in Elizabeth for the presentation of “Annie.” The series will conclude on August 18 with the showing of “Dolphin 2.”
Family Fun and Flix 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. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. the date of the show.
Union County, NJ – This week, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring the third performance in the free Shakespeare in the Park tour of ROMEO AND JULIET to Oak Ridge Park in Clark.
Pack a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Oak Ridge Park this Thursday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy the most famous love story ever written, featuring The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble performing ROMEO AND JULIET. This performance is sponsored in part by Whole Food Market Clark, who will be at the park on Thursday with free healthy snacks and drinks for those who attend.
William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” has been a favorite of audiences for over 400 years.
“This summer’s tour of Romeo and Juliet in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most beloved playwright who ever lived,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
In the hot summer streets of Verona, two idealistic teens discover love in a society consumed by senseless brutality. Filled with witty wordplay, lyric poetry, and flashy swordfights, “Romeo and Juliet” remains one of the most gripping and moving tragedies by William Shakespeare.
In the words of the Bard himself, “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”
The final three performances in the Shakespeare in the Park tour of “Romeo and Juliet” are:
For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.
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Mountainside, NJ – Mark your calendars for the popular Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside Nature & Science Center. On August 5, BUBBLE TROUBLE, mixes comedy and music. Jeff Boyer, the featured entertainer, juggles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, some of which are fog-filled. This family entertainment series begins at 1:30 p.m. each week and runs approximately 45 minutes. All shows are recommended for children ages 4 and up. Admission is $5.00 per person and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m.
“The Summer Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside presents imaginative, interactive and educational shows which teach and entertain the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
The 2015 Wednesday Matinee Series ends on August 12 with ABRACADABRA..ITS JOE FISCHER. This show is a blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement.
For additional information about the Wednesday Matinee Series or other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh and Freeholders Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados present U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker with a resolution in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act during an event marking the anniversary with senior citizens from across Union County at the Union Township Senior Center. (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
