Author: Web Site Administrator

For Information about Senior Services in Union County,
Just “ASK”
Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors age 60 and older can attend any of five Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in August to speak with experienced staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging. The ASK events will be held in Clark, Westfield, Fanwood, Linden, Union and Elizabeth.
“The ASK program brings our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff to convenient locations throughout Union County, to reach more residents with helpful resources,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.
The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is based in Elizabeth.
The ASK community outreach program provides for members of the staff to travel throughout Union County to help connect residents with information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.
The ASK program also enables residents to obtain assistance with completing applications and forms at convenient locations.
The August 2017 dates and locations will be:
Wednesday, August 9
Linden Public Library
31 E. Henry Street
Linden, 07036
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Monday, August 14
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Wednesday, August 23
Fanwood Public Library
5 Forest Road
Fanwood, 07023
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Tuesday, August 29
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

Wednesday, August 30
Elizabeth Public Library
11 South Broad Street
Elizabeth, 07202
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.
The mission of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.
“The ADRC model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Chairman Bergen. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”
Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.
For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: -1-888-280-8226 or 908-527- 4870 or 4858 or visit the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 2, featuring Dead Space. The group will feature a Grateful Dead Experience. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Dead Space is New Jersey’s premier Grateful Dead Tribute Band, playing an authentic mix of Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia Band and more. Each performance presents an original interpretation of music that Deadheads have loved and listened to for decades.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man. 

As always the Union County Get Fit Yoga program will precede the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on August 2 will be Ohmies Coffee Bar and Yoga Studio of Roselle.

“As we head into August and shift our concerts to Oak Ridge Park, we hope everyone will find some time to join their neighbors and friends for a great night of music under the stars,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series is presented on Wednesday evenings at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Below are the remaining shows:

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 2nd Dead Space (The Grateful Dead Experience
• August 9th American Rapture
• August 16th Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)
• August 23th New York State of Mind (Tribute to Billy Joel)

Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Union County Manager Alfred Faella and Union County Baseball Association President Jim Iozzi in congratulating Jason Weaver of Roselle Park and Jacob Cermak of Cranford on being named the Most Valuable Players in their respective leagues in the Union County Baseball Association’s 2017 summer youth leagues during the end-of-season picnic at the Warinanco Sports Center in Roselle. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, celebrating marriage equality in the State of New Jersey, has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 16 at Rahway River Park in Rahway from 12 Noon until 5 P.M.

“Unpredicted inclement weather forced us to postpone the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, which was originally scheduled for last month,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce that the event, in its entirety, has been rescheduled for September. This celebration of life, love and liberty is about offering LGBTQ and ally parents and children a space to connect, support and celebrate together.”

A celebration of all families, the free Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will include music, arts and crafts (featuring a “LOVE Makes a Family” poster making station), inflatable bounce houses for all ages, face painting, music, and much more.

A Family Equality Rally will kick off at 1:00 P.M. with special guest speakers and performances. Parents and children are encouraged to show your family’s Pride with a sign or banner. Bring a rally sign or join us at the Rally Poster Making Station between noon and 1:00 p.m. to create one.

The day’s celebration will also include a live family concert starting at 2:30 P.M.

Family field day team games will kick off at 3:30 P.M. Families and individuals of all ages (adults, teens, and children are all welcome) interested in participating in the field day competition should register online at ucnj.org/Pride so that teams can be formed.

Families are invited to pack a picnic lunch and head out to the park with blankets and lawn chairs for an afternoon of fun. Food trucks will also be on site for those who wish to purchase lunch.

LGBTQ family and marriage equality advocacy and ally organizations will also set up tables, alongside the Freeholder Board information van, with general information and resource material.

“Pride events matter because inequality is not always obvious. Union County’s pride event demonstrates the support for diversity and full equality,” said Chairman Bergen. “Marriage equality rights are in part the result of years of Pride events. The Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic brings advocates, allies, and families of the LGBTQ community together to celebrate individuality and raise awareness for the need to meet the equality challenges of the LGBTQ community.”

In the event of inclement weather the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will be held at the Warinanco Sports Center, Warinanco Park in Elizabeth/Roselle.

For more information visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the Union County Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Office of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A local group of volunteers spent several hours on Sunday, July 23 at Milton Lake Park in Rahway removing recently sprayed graffiti on a stone wall along the lake. The effort, organized through a Facebook group page by Union County Adopt-a-Park adopters Marlene and Nate Hamm, highlights the significance community volunteers can make in Union County’s vast parks system.

Armed with an environmentally-friendly cleaner and a power washer, provided by Rahway Councilman Jeremy Mojica, the crew of volunteers successfully restored the stone wall.

“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I extend sincere gratitude to the Hamm Family and the community of volunteers in Rahway who made the natural beauty of Union County’s Milton Lake Park a priority on their Sunday morning,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The commitment of Adopt-a-Park volunteers helps to keep our parks beautiful, clean, and safe for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

The Union County Parks System includes 36 parks spanning 6,200 acres. It is a rich and diverse system of parks maintained with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers throughout the year.

Any individual or group is welcome to join Adopt-a-Park. For more information call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-789-3683 or visit online at ucnj.org/parks.

 

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 1 at Meisel Park, off Meisel Avenue in Springfield. The National Night Out event is presented with support from AAA Northeast, ShopRite of Clark and Target in Union.

National Night Out activities get underway at 6 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. A number of law enforcement agencies will be on hand, including the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Sheriff’s Department, the Mountainside Police Department and the Springfield Police Department. The Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning will also be on hand to provide important information.  The event will also feature roving entertainment provided by a local magician and a photo booth to capture the fun moments.

Following the National Night Out activities, those in attendance can enjoy the animated adventure comedy “Secret Life of Pets,” which tells the story of two squabbling pet dogs who end up in the outside world and find common ground against a gang of angry animals preparing an attack on humans. The film features the voices of Louis C.K., Erick Stonestreet and Kevin Hart.  Free popcorn will be given to all children in attendance and there will be inflatables for the kids to enjoy.

“National Night Out provides an opportunity for members of our law enforcement community to p        rovide important information to residents to assist them in keeping themselves and their family’s safe,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.  “And when the sun goes down, relax in your chair or on your blanket and enjoy the movie.”

This summer’s Family Fun and Flix will conclude on Tuesday, August 8, returning to Warinanco Park in Elizabeth for the presentation of “Moana.”

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’s summer tour performance of Shakespeare’s outrageously fun comedy The Taming of the Shrew, which was postponed last weekend due to predicted inclement weather, will take the stage at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade amphitheater in Linden this Sunday, July 30 at 1:00 p.m.

“The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce the rescheduled performance of one of Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedies in Linden this weekend,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “This summer’s tour of Shakespeare’s classic romantic-comedy The Taming of the Shrew in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the clever and compelling language of Shakespeare.”

Bring the entire family to enjoy The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged performance of the zesty, romantic comedy of male chauvinism and women’s rights in the 16th century. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this free performance is too fun to miss.

Petruchio, a poverty-stricken gentleman from Verona, journeys to Padua in search of a wealthy wife. There, he encounters the fiery Katharina, a self-willed shrew who engages Petruchio in a humorous battle of wit and insult with Kate as determined to maintain her independence as Petruchio is to “tame” her.

The final performance of this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park tour of The Taming of the Shew will be on Friday, August 4 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all of the performances.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors to fully develop abridged productions of classic plays. Come out to Union County parks this summer to the see Next Stage Ensemble’s performance of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

Individuals or Teams that may be interested please contact;

• Ray Brigantino @ 908-403-2016
• Rodney Godfrey @ 908-803-5440
• Jersey Lanes @ 908-486 6300

The Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada presents resolutions to Elizabeth Police Officers Eric Santiago Gora and Officer Luciano Nicolas Porto honoring them for their response to an emergency regarding a male that had been struck by a train in May.

The officers rushed to the scene and found a young boy going into shock with an amputated leg.  Officer Gora, a trained EMT and registered nurse, immediately began to administer life-saving first-aid. Officer Porto was assisting at the scene. After coordinating emergency responders, applying a tourniquet, wrapping and dressing the major injury and keeping the young boy calm, he was quickly airlifted to a hospital where he survived.

The Freeholder Board also congratulates Officer Gora on receiving the “Shield Award” for outstanding service to his community and service beyond the call of duty from the New Jersey Knights of Columbus in June.

Due to the bad weather forecast for this Sunday, the County of Union has postponed the Shakespeare in the Park presentation of the “Taming of the Shrew” scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade Amphitheater in Linden. The new date is Sunday, July 30th, 1 p.m, at the same location and venue.