Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Roberta Zlatkin of Union in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “Frontier Z: The Alchemy Series” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through October 21. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Zlatkin’s beautiful abstract watercolors.”

After graduating high school, Roberta Zlatkin went to New York City to study print making and textiles at the Art Students League. She was influenced by American Abstract Expressionists and other Modern Art of the early 20th century. The American Abstract Expressionists were a group inspired by the ebb and flow of New York City in post-World War II during the late 1940’s. Her artistic style was also influenced by the people she met from different parts of the world while in New York.

Returning home to New Jersey, she changed her path in life and entered Kean College where she studied art history and other areas of art and earned a degree in primary education. Ms. Zlatkin became a school teacher in the Elizabeth School System and enjoyed her career working with young children. After retiring in 2010 she pursued her work with watercolors more intensely.

Roberta Zlatkin said of her painting, “The four elements found in nature; water, air, earth and fire are key elements in my work. Sometimes the colors flow through my mind as if a powerful energy of how I am feeling on that day. I just go with the flow and paint.” She enjoys working with watercolors with metallic wash mixed in fine glitter with India ink and faux crystals.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Senator Raymond Lesniak, Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel, Union County Improvement Authority Executive Director Daniel Sullivan and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Student Development Building on the Cranford Campus.

The new 30,000 square feet state-of-the –art building is home of the Helen E. Chaney Student Services Center which will serve as the focal point for all student services.

The construction of the new facility was funded by the Union County Board of Freeholders and the project was managed by Union County Improvement Authority.

For more information about Union County College visit www.ucc.edu.

The Evening will also feature a Harvest Contest Sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues this coming Wednesday evening August 17, with Hey Bulldog taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder and sponsored by the Union County Education Association.

“There are just a couple of more weeks to enjoy some great musical entertainment in our parks,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “And be sure to arrive early to participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

Playing the music of the Beatles, Hey Bulldog is a diverse group of musicians from the New Brunswick area who joined together for an open jam to play Beatles songs on John Lennon’s birthday, and have been playing together ever since. Members stay true to their individual style, playing some of the best songs ever written with creativity, passion, and originality.

While enjoying the wonderful music, concertgoers can visit Tony’s Traveling Trattoria which will treat your palate to excellent Italian comfort food. Also the Good Humor Truck will be on site hosted by TG and Sons serving ice cream and snacks. Attendees can also pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

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 Crunch Fitness of Garwood 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.

Along with the music and yoga, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County will sponsor a Harvest Contest, running from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Contestants can bring their entries to the Rutgers table located by the bandstand. The contest categories will include heaviest tomato and heaviest zucchini, funniest looking vegetables and best vegetable character. Concert goers will be invited to vote between 7:00 p.m. and during the first music set. All winners will be announced at intermission and receive a certificate and small gardening prize.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs will also be on hand at the concert to provide information on the workings of their office.

The 2016 Union County Summer Arts Festival will conclude on Wednesday, August 24th at Oak Ridge Park with N.Y. State of Mind performing a Billy Joel Tribute.

Please visit www.ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.

Union County Freeholder Linda Carter and Union County Fire Training Academy Dean Steve Ruhl welcome the students of the Plainfield Fire Division summer internship program and Plainfield firefighters as they visited the Union County Fire Training Academy in Linden. The fire interns toured the training facility and received hands-on lessons about firefighting. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Months of persistent detective work by a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit resulted in the arrest Tuesday of a man wanted for first degree armed robbery, burglary and aggravated assault in Union five months ago, Sheriff Joseph Cryan announced today.

Raymond Oliver of Irvington is accused of slashing a 35-year-old woman after forcing his way into a Chilton Place home on March 9 and demanding money.

According to Union Township police, Oliver, 53, fled the residence with $100 after cutting the victim with a box cutter. The woman received 13 stitches on her left hand. At the time, there was a warrant out for Oliver for failure to pay child support.

Sheriff’s Investigator George Gyure tracked Oliver to an address in Irvington, where he and members of the United States Marshals Service located the suspect this morning.

Oliver was arrested without incident and transported to the Union County Jail where he is being held without bail.

“Thanks to the outstanding detective work by Investigator Gyure, the Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshals a very dangerous individual has been captured,” Sheriff Cryan said. “This arrest once again proves that our office doesn’t stop looking for fugitives.”

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Linda Carter and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Assemblyman Jerry Green, Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel and Union County Improvement Authority Deputy Director Linda Stender in cutting the ribbon officially reopening the Plainfield Campus Annex. For more information about Union County College visit ucc.edu. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)