Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County’s free Shakespeare in the Park tour of Twelfth Night kicks off this weekend at Meisel Avenue Park in Springfield on Sunday, July 17 at 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, admission is free.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Meisel Avenue Park this Sunday to enjoy Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged one-hour performance of this time-honored story of mistaken identities, bewildering desires, practical jokes, and bawdy merriment – all in the name of love.  

“This summer’s tour of Twelfth Night in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most remarkable storyteller the world has ever known,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Additional performances in Union County parks include:
Sunday, July 24 at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, July 27 at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade (amphitheater) in Linden at 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 31 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside at 1 p.m.
Friday, August 5 at Rahway River Park in Rahway at 7 p.m.
Monday, August 8 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark at 7 p.m.
Admission is free to each of the six performances.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic adventures, Twelfth Night is rich in song and music. In the words of the Bard himself, “If music be the food of love, play on.”

After a tragic shipwreck, Viola finds herself washed ashore on the beach of Illyria, having lost her twin brother Sebastian in the storm.  Masquerading as a young boy, Viola enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is in love with the lady Olivia.  The Duke charges the disguised Viola to help him win Olivia’s hand.  Olivia, in pure Shakespearean style, falls in love with the disguised Viola who, in turn, has fallen in love with the Duke!  Combine this wonderful and charming romantic comedy with the hysterical figures of Malvolio, Sir Andrew Aquecheek and Sir Toby Belch, and you have one of Shakespeare’s most riotous comedies of mistaken identity!

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 Twelfth Night.

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

Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, begins Tuesday, July 12 with the presentation of “Minions” at Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle.  This year’s Family Fun & Flix series is being sponsored by Investors Bank.

As part of the evening’s events, UC Get Fit, a health initiative of the Union County Freeholder Board, will offer fitness fun for kids before the movie, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Kid’s Crossfit presented by Crossfit Veracity of Summit will sponsor the pre movie activities.

Minions is a 2015 animated family comedy file produced by Universal Pictures, with voices provided by Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan and is narrated by Geoffrey Rush. The film tells the story of a band of small yellow creatures who, after years of isolation, set out to find a new master to serve and end up involved in a plot to steal the Imperial State Crown from Queen Elizabeth II.

“Family Fun & Flix gives families the opportunity to visit our parks and enjoy a free movie and to also participate in activities that promote healthy habits for our children,” 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. Also the Good Humor Truck will be on site hosted by TG and Sons serving ice cream and snacks.

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 its 56^th season on Wednesday evening July 13, with American Rapture taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series, presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder, and sponsored by ConnectOne Bank will take place at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

“The Summer Arts Festival spotlights great talent on stage in beautiful Echo Lake Park where residents can sit back and enjoy their favorite music while relaxing in the park with family and friends,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “Come early and participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

American Rapture is a 17-member Rock and Soul Revue complete with marvelous singers and plenty of brass. Formed in 1999, the group started as an annual musical theatre production for Mystic Vision Players in Linden. After a successful ten-year run, the group was transformed by band leader Tony Greco into a specialty concert band and they play all your favorites. American Rapture features popular music from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. They’re the perfect way to enjoy an evening under the stars on a walk down memory lane.

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 Sunlight of the Spirit Yoga in Springfield 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.

And throughout the summer at each concert one Union County Department will be featured, distributing handouts and highlighting their own unique services. On this evening the Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control will be on hand.

Here is a list of the upcoming concerts:

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

Featuring musical guest Tusk, Hot Yoga by Revolution of Cranford and informational booths featuring the County Sheriff’s office. Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, County Manager Alfred Faella and Sheriff Joe Cryan joined hundreds of residents who came out to enjoy the festival. View future dates at www.ucnj.org/calendar

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings and drawings by Sonia Ash of Scotch Plains 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 “A Tribute to My Grandchildren” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through August 12. 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. Ash’s beautiful paintings, drawings and collages.”

Sonia Ash is from the Island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean. She has lived in the United States for 46 years, 36 of them in Scotch Plains. Ms. Ash studied at Rutgers University and Thomas Edison State College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, and at Massachusetts General Hospital. She worked as a senior certified addiction specialist in Massachusetts, New York and Washington D.C. Ms. Ash is a 20-year volunteer member (and present vice-chair) on the Union County Local Advisory Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA); and a member of the County Alliance Steering Subcommittee.

After retiring 20 years ago, Sonia began taking Senior Art classes at Union County College and regular art classes for all ages, and also participated in art workshops at the Newark Museum. Ms. Ash works in pastel, pencil, oil, acrylic, charcoal, and wire sculpture. She is a member of the Westfield Art Association, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Art Association, and the Roselle Art Association, and has exhibited her work in many art shows throughout Union County.

“My show is titled ‘A Tribute to My Grandchildren’ because they encouraged me to draw and to take classes and to keep painting,” Ms. Ash said. “I love making art and playing in my yard with flowers, plants, vegetables, and landscaping with rocks to create beautiful shapes. I love to create because it brings me so much happiness.”

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.

The Union County Office on Women, in conjunction with the Union County Sheriff’s Department, is urging women who are seeking a rewarding career in law enforcement with a progressive police agency to sign up for the Law Enforcement Examination for the position of Sheriff’s Officer.

Applications for the Law Enforcement Examination (LEE) are available online from July 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 at http://info.csc.state.nj.us/vats/WebAnno.aspx?FileNumber=22991. The examination is the first step in becoming part of the Union County law enforcement family.

“It is important to have diversity in the ranks and for our officers to reflect our community.  By actively encouraging women to take the exam, we can increase the number of women eligible to be hired,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.  The Union County Office on Women was created as part of the 2016 county initiatives.

“Women are integral to the operations of a modern law enforcement agency,” said Union County Sheriff Joseph P. Cryan. “They bring a unique dynamic to law enforcement, and they can be outstanding communicators with interpersonal skills that are needed in many situations. We are looking for good, qualified candidates, and we certainly encourage women to apply.”

According to the civil service description, Sheriff’s Officers perform one or more functions in the following areas: maintaining order and security in the courtroom, serving court processes, criminal identification, ballistics, investigations, apprehension of violators of the law; forensics and other related assignments which may include Emergency Management.

Sheriff’s Officers may also be assigned to perform other law  enforcement or public safety related duties outside the parameters of a courtroom environment, which may   include criminal investigations, patrol duties, dispute intervention/resolution, public safety/service assistance, traffic control and enforcement, motor vehicle accidents, etc., and/or other assignments as determined by the appointing authority.

Becoming a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office begins with the online application to take the civil service examination. For further questions please contact Lieutenant George Kurz, 908-527-4954.

For more information on the functions of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, please visit https://ucnj.org/sheriff.

The Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society presents CelebrateHAMILTON 2016

The life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton will be on center stage in Elizabeth, New Jersey on Thursday and Friday, July 7 and 8 . Two days of free programs, productions and public events are planned for attendees, and will also feature special guest appearances by actor Jon Rua, of the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” and book signing with historian Michael Newton, author of “Alexander Hamilton: The Formative Years.” The two-day event also features the Elizabeth “Young Immigrant Hamilton Tour,” which explores historic sites associated with Alexander Hamilton’s time in the Elizabethtown, New Jersey area including Boxwood Hall and Liberty Hall Museum, with special programming at Snyder Academy.

Union County Chairman Bruce Bergen was interviewed by two local media outlets regarding  the gasoline tax, the Transportation Trust Fund and how it might impact local Union County road projects.

No Gas Tax Hike in NJ Could Put Road Repairs in Jeopardy

Certain road repairs in New Jersey could be in jeopardy as a proposed increase of 23 cents gas hike is on hold. Brian Thompson reports

Lawmakers yet to come up with plan on how to contend with now-stalled road projects

Millions in transportation funding on hold

On Thursday, Gov. Chris Christie ordered New Jersey officials to plan for a shutdown of state road projects. This, after democratic lawmakers failed to agree with him on how to address the state transportation fund’s borrowing authority, which expired Friday.

So what does that mean for people here in the Garden State?

Without a resolution, county road resurfacing and reconstruction on bridges like Springfield’s Mountain Avenue Bridge would be halted.

“This one bridge is funded $1 million by the transportation trust fund and $1 million from the county, so we’re talking $2 million here that will be put on hold indefinitely,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

Overall, Union County has $25 million in funding that will cease to have a purpose, he explained.

Projects in the “design phase” would also be halted, including three road resurfacing projects in Union County totaling roughly 60 miles.

“It’s absolutely urgent. Not only to the government but how about the workers that think Wednesday of this week they’re going to be coming to work on a project, and all of a sudden, it’s canceled and now they’re laid off,” Bergen said. “That’s just an economic disaster.”

In an effort to not stall projects, Sen. Stephen Sweeney says he is trying to come up with a compromise so both sides can reach a deal.

The next senate session is scheduled for July 11.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Linda Carter, Christopher Hudak, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright march in the annual Independence Day parade in Plainfield. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)