Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County is offering a free training course for persons interested in volunteering with the Union County Rape Crisis Center. Specialized training is available to become part of a volunteer community of trained advocates who provide crisis and support services to victims of sexual violence and their significant others.

The Rape Crisis Center has been offering guidance and support to victims of sexual violence since 1984, as a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Department of Human Services.

“Volunteer Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates are crucial to the work of the Rape Crisis Center. Sexual violence impacts not only the victim, but also those surrounding them. Our volunteer advocates help restore a sense of community to Union County residents facing a life crisis,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Union County Rape Crisis Center’s free training program for volunteer Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates begins Tuesday, August 15th and will conclude Thursday, September 28th.  Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the RCC office in Westfield located within the Colleen Fraser county services building, 300 North Avenue East.

The training course qualifies volunteers to be Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates, who answer phone calls to Union County’s Rape Crisis Hotline and offer in-person support.

No previous experience in counseling, law or medicine is required to become an Advocate. Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age. They must hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle.

The training course includes sessions on crisis counseling, and medical and legal accompaniment in a supportive, empathetic environment.

All sessions take place at the Rape Crisis Center office in the Colleen Fraser county services building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Prospective volunteers will also come to the Westfield office for an informal interview prior to undertaking the training course.

To learn more about volunteering and get information about the next training course, call the Rape Crisis Center at 908-233-7273 or email rcc@ucnj.org.

For more details about the Rape Crisis Center, including personal stories by volunteers, visit the Rape Crisis Center blog at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Wednesday evening, July 19 featuring The Vinny’s, who will perform classic rock from artists such as David Bowie, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and many more. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Five of the six band members are from right here in Union County and have been performing together since forming The Vinny’s back in November of 2011. Mike Colicchio of Elizabeth is the lead vocalist; Louis Muradas of Elizabeth on lead guitar; Vinny LaVecchia of Elizabeth on bass; John E. Most of Elizabeth on keyboards; Ross Hirtzel of Cranford on drums; and Steve Tabankin of Livingston on guitar.

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 July 19 will be AMP Yoga of Springfield.

“There are only two more shows left for this summer at Oak Ridge Park so we hope everyone will find some time to join their neighbors and friends for a great night of music,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series is presented every Wednesday night throughout July in Echo Lake Park and then in August at Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

• July 19th The Vinny’s
• July 26th Hudson River Rats

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)

As part of Chairman Bergen’s “UC HERO” initiative for 2017, the Union County Freeholder Board is proud to support our Veterans. Below please find information about cooking classes for Veterans at the VA in East Orange.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Wednesday evening, July 12 featuring the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Tusk will also showcase units from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers from the Crime Scene Unit will be making wanted posters for kids and Guardian Angel identification fingerprint cards for parents.

The Sheriff’s K-9 Search & Rescue Unit will give a demonstration.

Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The summer tour of Shakespeare’s outrageously fun comedy The Taming of the Shrew kicks off at the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Sunday, July 16 at 1 p.m.

“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,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chair and head out to the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park this Sunday 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.

Additional performances in Union County parks include:
Sunday, July 23 at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade (amphitheater) in Linden at 7 p.m.
Friday, August 4 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside at 7 p.m.

Admission is free to each of the three 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.

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials today announced a resurfacing project along approximately 12 miles on I-78 local and express lanes that will require temporary overnight lane closures in Union and Essex Counties.

Beginning tonight at 8 p.m. Monday, July 10, until 6 a.m. the next day, and continuing Monday through Friday evenings for the next several weeks, NJDOT’s contractor Schifano Construction Corp., is scheduled to close up to two lanes between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on I-78 eastbound local for milling and paving. Initial resurfacing will start in Berkeley Heights and move eastward for approximately six miles to Springfield.

The milling and paving project will begin on I-78 eastbound local, and then move to I-78 eastbound express, followed by I-78 westbound express. The project will resurface approximately 12 miles on I-78 traversing through Berkeley Heights, Springfield, Milburn, and Union. All lanes will be maintained during the morning and evening commutes.

I-78 eastbound local
Construction will begin on I-78 eastbound local near Exit 41/Plainfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights and continue east for approximate six miles to the Shunpike Road/Orchard Street overpass in Springfield.

I-78 eastbound express
The resurfacing work then continue on I-78 eastbound express at the Shunpike Road/Orchard Street overpass in Springfield and continue east for approximately four miles to Stuyvesant Avenue, west of Exit 52 for the Garden State Parkway in Union.

I-78 westbound express
Finally, resurfacing work will then advance to I-78 westbound express beginning at Stuyvesant Avenue, west of Exit 52 in Union and continue west for approximately two miles to Route 124/Springfield Avenue in Union.

Additional lane closures during off-peak hours may be necessary until the project is completed. There will be periodic work on the shoulder for electrical and curb work along areas of I-78.

The I-78 state-funded maintenance roadway project is expected to be completed by late 2017. The project will include utility relocations, curb work, and bridge deck repairs. NJDOT has designed the project to advance with temporary lane closures, reopening after each shift. Any required detours will be coordinated with the local authorities.

Variable message signs and detour signs are being utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the resurfacing project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming road or ramp closures.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information and for NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.

Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and sponsored this year by Investors Bank, kicks off another season at Warinanco Park on Tuesday evening, July 11. The feature film will be Finding Dory. The movie will begin at dusk.

Before each movie this summer UC Get Fit Kids activities will be offered. The Freeholder initiative offers a great way to keep kids active and healthy during the summer months. UC Get Fit Kids will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Finding Dory is an animated family drama about the friendly, but forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, and her search for her long-lost parents. Along the way everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family. The film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Ed O’Neill.

“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 Bruce H. Bergen.

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 entire schedule for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 11 at Warinanco Park: Finding Dory
• Tuesday, July 18 at Warinanco Park: Storks
• Tuesday, July 25 at Warinanco Park: Sing
• Tuesday, August 1 at Meisel Park, Springfield (National Night Out): Secret Life of Pets
• Tuesday, August 8 at Warinanco Park: Moana

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 Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Wednesday evening, July 12 featuring Tusk, featuring the great hits of Fleetwood Mac. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years. They come together to pay homage to a group that dominated the charts during the band members’ formative years.

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 July 12 will be Yoga Essence of New Providence.

“As the summer continues to heat up we hope everyone will find some time to join their neighbors and friends at one of our concerts on Wednesday evenings” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We hope to see everyone out in the park, enjoying an evening of music.”

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series is presented every Wednesday night throughout July in Echo Lake Park and then in August at Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

• July 12th Tusk (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
• July 19th The Vinny’s
• July 26th Hudson River Rats

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)

Please be advised that Chatham Rd from River Rd to Morris County Line in Summit will be under construction on or about Thursday, July 13 2017. It is anticipated that the work will take approximately 2 nights to complete, weather permitting. Affected residents and businesses should be aware that there may be mobilization and prep work on the part of the contractor about a week or two in advance of the actual start day. This activity should have little or no impact on local traffic.

The work being performed will consist of various road improvements, such as milling, paving, and striping of the road. Due to the nature of the work involved, the amount of men and machinery required, full road closure will be necessary in the area of work to optimize the safety of the work crews and motoring public alike. The road will be closed overnight from approximately 7:00 PM until 6:00 AM the following morning.

A clearly marked detour route will be established and maintained by County forces. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through at all times. Access to residences, including deliveries and other services, will be allowed as much as possible. Please note that parking will be prohibited on Chatham Rd within the work zone during the operation of milling and paving. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

The County recognizes the inconvenience that any road construction may cause and apologizes for any difficulties encountered. The County shall make every effort to have the work completed as soon as possible.

Should you have any traffic questions, please call our Traffic Bureau at (908) 789-6011 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If any emergencies should arise, please contact your Municipal Police Department.

Learn more about upcoming construction and road projects at www.ucnj.org/traffic.