Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright, Alexander Mirabella, Bette Jane Kowalski and Sergio Granados joined Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover, Councilman John Del Sordi, Councilwoman Rose Checchio and Ruby Simmons and Thurman Simmons Sr. of the John Shippen Memorial Golf Foundation at the official unveiling of a ceremonial street sign at the Scotch Hills Country Club in honor of John Shippen, the first American to play in a U.S. Open golf tournament.
Shippen played in six U.S. Opens and he made his career in golf and served as professional at several clubs, the last of which was Shady Rest Golf Course in Scotch Plains, now known as Scotch Hills Country Club.
The road at the entrance to the golf course (off Jerusalem Ave.) will be known as John Shippen Drive.
If you’re a smoker, quitting can be the single most important step you take to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. Smoking causes immediate damage to your body, and it threatens your future with increased risks for cancer, heart attack, lung disease, and early death. Many people have probably urged you to quit smoking already, but we all know that quitting can be hard. Just as every journey begins with a single step, so, too, does quitting.
That’s where the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout can help. This event takes place on November 19 and encourages smokers to quit or to use the day to make a quit plan. Free help is available at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and at 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) (for Spanish speakers).
When you quit smoking during the Great American Smokeout, you have the support of many other people across the nation. And you’re taking an important step towards a healthier life.
Five Ways to Get Ready to Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking can be hard, so a good plan can help you get past symptoms of withdrawal. Five steps can help.
Set a quit date. Choose the Great American Smokeout or another quit day within the next 2 weeks.
Tell your family and friends about your quit plan. Share your quit date with the important people in your life and ask for support. A daily phone call, e-mail, or text message can help you stay on course and provide moral support. Try SmokefreeTEXT for 24/7 help on your mobile phone.
Be prepared for challenges. The urge to smoke is short—usually only 3 to 5 minutes. Surprised? Those moments can feel intense. Even one puff can feed a craving and make it stronger. Before your quit day, write down healthy ways to cope.
Drink water.
Take a walk or ride your bike.
Listen to a favorite song or play a game.
Call or text a friend.
Remove cigarettes and other tobacco from your home, car, and workplace. Throw away your cigarettes, matches, lighters, and ashtrays. Clean and freshen your car, home, and workplace. Old cigarette odors can cause cravings.
Talk to your pharmacist, doctor, or quitline coach about quit options. Nicotine patches, gum, or other approved quit medication can help with cravings.
Mark: 'In a short time, the craving went away.'
Thinking of himself as a nonsmoker helped Mark quit smoking for good.
Mark grew up in California and started smoking as a teenager to fit in with friends. At 19, he joined the Air Force, where he continued to smoke. He used cigarettes or smokeless tobacco, and sometimes both, through two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf. Mark smoked until 2009, when he developed rectal cancer at age 42. Mark was no longer in harm’s way on active military duty. But Mark faced the fight of his life. His illness—rectal cancer—is a type of colorectal cancer. Mark quit smoking soon after learning he had rectal cancer.
When Mark finally gave up cigarettes and smokeless tobacco for good, the first 2 weeks were very hard. “Thinking of myself as a nonsmoker helped, and in a short time the craving went away,” he said. Mark shared his story in CDC’s national tobacco education campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.
In Focus: Smoking and Colorectal Cancer
Mark never imagined that he would be diagnosed with rectal cancer, but the severity of his illness helped him quit smoking for good. Quitting smoking can help you prevent many life-threatening illnesses, including colorectal cancer.
Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.
If you are 50 years old or older, get screened now. If you think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting screened early.
Perhaps you want to live a healthier life, live longer for your family members, or save money that you’d typically spend on cigarettes. Write down your reasons for quitting, no matter what motivates you to make this smart decision. Refer to the list whenever you have the urge to smoke. It will help remind you of all the reasons you want to quit. Remember, you can quit smoking and enjoy many healthy triumphs for years to come!
For Mark, his wife and young daughter provided two very big reasons to quit smoking. Mark hopes his story will inspire others to quit as soon as possible, especially young people. “There’s nothing good that comes from smoking.”
You Can Do It!
Your first quit day may come as a pleasant surprise to you. Making the decision to quit helps you realize and appreciate your own determination! You have the strength it takes to quit smoking forever.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring an abridged one-hour sensory-friendly performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets and info at ucpac.org or call the Box Office at 732-499-8226.
This weekend on Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m. the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.
Presented as part of Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series, this abridged, one-hour sensory-friendly performance of the Nutcracker is adapted especially for children and adults with sensory sensitivities and other special needs.
Available now, all tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.
“The sensory-friendly performance series is designed to offer a relaxed and safe theatre environment for children and adults with sensory sensitivities, developmental and learning disabilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board is proud to help make this holiday classic accessible to families with children and adults of all abilities and needs.”
ARB’s Nutcracker, a holiday tradition for New Jersey families since 1964, tells the story of a young girl named Clara and how her mysterious gift of a nutcracker doll brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes. The dancers bring to life the production’s original party scene, choreographed by company founder Audrée Estey, before entering a snow forest and Land of Sweets, featuring choreography by Douglas Martin. Spectacular sets by Carl Sprague, including a spectacular growing Christmas tree, and costumes by Gina Ricca create the atmosphere of dreamlike magic.
Whether it’s your first time, an annual tradition, or an once-in-a-lifetime experience, ARB’s Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family to be transported and inspired.
For each of the performances in the Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County PAC will be adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families. Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the Sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org.
Save the dates – mark your calendar for upcoming Sensory-Friendly Theatre series performances sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders: Sundays – January 10, 2016, March 20, 2016, May 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016.
Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series is made possible, in part, by funding from the NJ Department of Community Affairs through a Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Grant.
For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.
For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit ucnj.org.
On Sunday, November 15th, Freeholders Linda Carter and Sergio Granados attended a soccer tournament at Greenbrook Park in Plainfield hosted by Plainfield Soccer League. After a successful day of play they handed out trophies to the 28 teams that participated.
Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Freeholder Christopher Hudak and Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran discuss with Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, Linden Police Chief James Schulhafer, Capt. Dave Hart and Linden Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Deputy Coordinator Joe Stigliano the county’s donation of two vehicles to the Linden OEM. The two vans were donated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office and the Union County Department of Public Safety.
Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella joined Union County Vocational-Technical School Superintendent Peter A. Capodice, representatives from the Wakefern Food Corporation and Union County Vocational-Technical (UCTECH) High School faculty and students at the ribbon cutting reopening the training supermarket at UCTECH in Scotch Plains. The market is part of the supermarket technology program that is designed to introduce students to the various aspects and career opportunities associated with the retail food industry. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Sam Awad 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 his work entitled “Phantoms” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through December 30. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
“Sam Awad is a talented and experienced photographer,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “It’s a great pleasure to display his beautiful and skillfully done images.”
Sam Awad is an architect and photographer. Ever creative, he also composes music and plays the guitar. Originally from Lebanon, he immigrated to the United States in 1985 to start a new life away from the horrors of the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). He enjoys studying languages and speaks Arabic as well as English, French, Italian, some German and Polish, and a bit of Spanish. He and his wife, artist and photographer Agnieszka Solawa, travel to Europe often and come home with thousands of gorgeous photographs between them.
At the age of ten, Sam did his first architectural drawing of his house and knew he wanted to be an architect. He sees architecture as “being a solution to a problem” and works on residential and commercial constructions.
Sam actively exhibits in many local venues including several juried shows in New Jersey. He recently exhibited his photography in the New Providence Public Library, the Union County Senior Art Show, the Millburn Public Library, and the Donald Palmer Museum in the Springfield Library. To enjoy Sam Awad’s photography and learn more about him, visit his website: www.samawad.com .
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.
As some of you may know the Surrogate’s Office is responsible for assisting residents in the orderly process of estates after the death of a Union County Resident. As Surrogate of Union County, one of my obligations is to alert residents of potential problems with the processing of residents estates.
Recent events concerning Chase and Wells Fargo Banks compel me to warn residents that their loved ones may confront severe problems when they attempt to manage their deceased loved ones assets at the time of their death. Chase Bank has displayed in the recent past a refusal to follow New Jersey Law and instead follow their own bank instituted policy which adds expense and delay to the orderly processing of the decedents estates. Wells Fargo has acted in a similar manner on many occasions.
I am therefore advising Union County Residents that commencing or continuing a banker-customer relationship with Chase and Wells Fargo Banks may cause several unforeseen impediments with the timely processing of your estate after your death or the death of a loved one.
Please remember this alert when deciding to commence or continue a financial relationship with Chase Bank or Wells Fargo Bank.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 24th annual Women of Excellence awards program, sponsored by the Union County Commission on the Status of Women and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
The Women of Excellence awards are a great opportunity for businesses and organizations in Union County to nominate and recognize the personal achievements of an employee or volunteer.
“For more than 20 years, the Women of Excellence Awards have celebrated and supported the difference that women make to strengthen our communities and impact the quality of life in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “If there is an extraordinary woman in your life, whether professional or volunteer, I encourage you to submit her name for consideration.”
Women can be nominated for their contributions in the categories of Arts and Humanities, Business and Entrepreneurial, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Law Enforcement, Medicine and Health Care, or Women’s Advocacy.
The Women of Excellence award is open to all women, 21 years or older, who live, work, or volunteer in Union County.
Awardees will be celebrated and will receive a certificate at the annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, to be held on March 18, 2016 at Galloping Hill Caterers in Union Township.
For more information about submitting a Women of Excellence nomination, or to download a nomination form, visit ucnj.org/women-of-excellence. Questions about the nomination process can be emailed johara1217@gmail.com.
All nominations should be mailed to Jane O’Hara at 708 Newark Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 and postmarked no later than December 1, 2015.
