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Union County’s Deserted Village in the Watchung Reservation made it to NJ.com’s Bucket List at #5

Learn more about the Desered Village at www.ucnj.org/dv

NJ.com’s article about Jersey summer bucket list:

Jersey summer bucket list: 25 warm weather things to do before you die

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on August 04, 2015 at 8:57 AM

First of all, there is no endless summer, unless you live somewhere like Hawaii or Bora-Bora.

But that doesn’t mean your Jersey summer has to be an endless litany of traffic jams, heat waves, balky air-conditioning and other warm-weather headaches.

And with summer 2015 starting to wind down, it’s seemed the perfect time to put together our Jersey Summer Bucket list — a list of the defining summertime Jersey experiences that you should tackle before time runs out.

There are a few Shore-related activities on my list (if you’ve never been to Wildwood, what are you waiting for?), but most of these are scattered around the state, from High Point to Bivalve. (Yes, Bivalve. Just down the road from Shellpile.)

I could have suggested you go Nature Boy or Girl and visit the state’s only legal nude beach, but these are all wholesome, g-rated activities, like exploring New Jersey’s most scenic back roads, or wandering through the state’s best food neighborhood, or getting lost in the Pine Barrens.

My list takes you indoors and outdoors, will keep you high and dry and get you totally wet, encourages you to explore the swamps of North Jersey and a secret garden; go to a drive-in movie or professional rodeo (wait, in New Jersey?); and visit museums where you can admire a hand-cranked submarine and see (but not sample) a 125-plus-year-old slice of wedding cake.

There are 25 must-do things on my Jersey summer bucket list, and while you probably won’t be able to do them all before summer’s over, so you can file the rest away for next summer.

We’ve also included a convenient check-list, which you can download and keep in your wallet or on your phone — to mark your progress through this tour of summertime wonders.

And if you have a favorite summer activity that didn’t make my list (staying home and avoiding traffic and the rest of the human race doesn’t count), let me know below.

Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteGenovese or via The Munchmobile @NJ_Munchmobile.

Public Info

National Night Out Photos from around Union County

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Linda Carter joined Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Union County Police Captain Robert McGuire, Sheriff’s Detective Brian Dustin, Detective Robert McLaughlin, Officer Bryan Frew and McGruff the Crime Dog at the National Night Out event hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders on August 4 in Meisel Park in Springfield. National Night Out is a campaign geared toward generating drug and crime awareness and prevention throughout the country. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Photos of Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh and Freeholders Linda Carter and Vernell Wright attending the Elizabeth, Union Township, Plainfield and the Union County/Springfield National Night Out events.

Public Info

New Jersey HomeSaver Foreclosure Prevention Program

Press Release from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) recently announced the launch of the New Jersey HomeSaver Program (HomeSaver), a foreclosure prevention initiative that offers eligible New Jersey homeowners up to $50,000 in financial assistance to bring their monthly household payment to an affordable level.

The program has been allocated over $17 million in federal Hardest Hit Funds to help an anticipated that 345 households in the form of a 0% interest rate, non-amortizing (no monthly payments), forgivable, 10-year loan. After the fifth year of the closing date of the HomeSaver loan, the amount will be forgiven at a rate of 20% per year, to be forgiven in full at the end of the tenth year.

Program eligibility requires that a homeowner be at risk of foreclosure due to financial hardship such as recent unemployment or a reduction in income, as well as meeting other criteria.

Unlike other foreclosure prevention efforts, homeowners do not have to be delinquent on their mortgage payments to qualify for the program. However, they must meet their mortgage servicer or investor’s guidelines for a modification, recast, refinance or principal reduction in order to participate.

To apply for the New Jersey HomeSaver Program, a homeowner must first contact their mortgage servicer directly to find out if they are participating in the program, as servicer participation is voluntary.

Get more HomeSaver program information here: https://www.newjerseyhomesaver.com

Public Info

Family Fun & Flix in Warinanco Park Continues Tuesday, August 11th with showing of Annie

Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, continues Tuesday, August 11 with the presentation of “Annie” at Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle. This showing of “Annie” is sponsored by Investors Bank. Free popcorn will be distributed for children in the attendance.

As part of the evening’s events, UC Fit Kids, a health initiative of the Union County Freeholder Board, will offer fitness fun for children before the movie, beginning at 7:30 p.m. UC Fit Kids’ Yoga is presented by the Elizabeth Branch of the Gateway Family YMCA Kid’s Boot Camp.

Academy Award nominee Quvenzhane Wallis stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who’s also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014.

“This event gives families an opportunity to enjoy an entertaining evening in our parks while picking up some healthy living tips,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

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.

Following “Annie” there will be just one more opportunity to enjoy a movie in the park, with the rescheduled “Dolphin Tales 2” on Tuesday, August 18.

All movies will be shown, 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 the event of weather-related matters, you can call 908-558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the show.

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“Diversión Familiar Bajo las Estrellas” Continua el martes 11 de agosto en Warinanco con “Annie”

La Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Union y el Departamento de Parques y Recreación continúan su presentación de “Family Fun and Flix” (Diversión Familiar al Aire Libre) – el próximo 11 de agosto en el Parque Warinanco con la presentación de “Annie,” pratocinada por el Investors Bank. Se les repartirá rositas de maiz/ palomitas gratis a todos los niños presentes.

Nominada para el Oscar Quvenzhane Wallis, interpreta el papel de Annie, una niña huerfana, lo suficientemente fuerte para abrirse pasos en las calles de Nueva York en el año 2014.

“La diversion bajo las estrellas comienza al anochecer, pero se les pide que vengan temprano para que disfruten de las actividades antes de comenzar la película,” nos dice el Presidente de la Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Union Mohamed Jalloh. “Traigan sus sillas y acomódense para que disfruten de la función.”

La próxima fecha despues de Annie será:

Martes 18 de agosto, Parque Warinanco “Dolphin 2”

Todas las funciones comienzan al anochecer, si el tiempo lo permite. Para más información llamar al Departamento de Parques y Recreación al 908-527-4900, o visite la página www.ucnj.org. Para información en caso de lluvia llamar al 908-558-4079 después de las 3:00 p.m. el día de la función .

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UCACT Temporada Continua con los Musicales Legally Blonde Jr. y Hairspray

Condado de Union – La Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Union anunció que la temporada del 2015 Union County Advancing Community Theater (UCACT) continuará este mes con los musicales Hairspray y Legally Blonde Jr, en el UCPAC.

Ambos musicales fueron escogidos como parte del primer Programa del UCACT que hasta la fecha ha producido Rent, Dreamgirls, y el trabajo original de – Mandela: Apartheid to Die For.

Presentado por el Vanguard Theater Company Hairspray es un musical familiar lleno de risa, romance y canciones melodiosas. Es ganador de 8 Premios TONY Awards incluyendo Mejor Musical. El show sw presenta en el escenario principal del UCPAC el 21 y 22 de agosto a las 8:00 p.m., y el 23 de agosto a las 3:00 p.m.; y tendrá una presentación principal el 19 de agosto a las 12:00 p.m. para niños con un descuento especial.

También a la misma vez presentado por el Theater Project Jr. en el Escenario del Teatro Hamilton estará Legally Blonde, Jr. El show se basa en la película del mismo nombre. La version está adaptada para una audiencia juvenile. El musical se presenta el 21 y 22 de agosto a las 8:00 p.m. y el 23 de agosot a las 2:00 p.m.

Boletos para ambas presentaciones están disponibles se pueden comprar en ucpac.org o en la taquilla del UCPAC llamando al 732-499-8226. Boletos para Hairspray son $15 para adultos y $10 para niños y júbilados. Boletos para Legally Blonde, Jr. están valorados en $12.00.

UCACT otorga una subvención para cubrir los costos asociados con poner una producción en el Union County Performing Arts.

Para más información en UCACT, ponerse en contacto con Victoria Durbin Drake, Jefa de Personal de la Junta de Legisladores del Condado de Union, al 908-558-2278 o visite ucnj.org/ucact.

Public Info

“Litter-free” event at the Summer Arts Festival

On the evening of Wednesday, July 22^nd, the County of Union with the NJ Clean Communities Council held a “Litter-free” event at the Summer Arts Festival, Oak Ridge Park in Clark. It is a “green event” because it promotes the concept of leaving the grounds free of litter after the concert with announcements from the stage and the appropriate receptacles in place.

Learn more about the County’s many free recycling events at www.ucnj.org/recycling.

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Muchas Formas de “Mejorar la Vida” en los Parques del Condado de Union

Condado de Union, NJ – Una campaña nacional de ejercicios físicos para mantenerse active llamada “Go4Life” esta dirigida a ayudar a las personas a mejorar su salud mientras envejecen.Los parques del Condado de ofrecen muchas oportunidades para hacer ejercicios durante el verano y todo el año.

“Además una amplia variedad de deportes y muchas actividades están disponible en nuestros parquet, que incluyen caminar, nadar, ciclismo, montar a caballo, pescar, jugar tenis, golf, patinaje, arco y fleche, esquiar,” dijo el Legislador Presidente Mohamed S. Jalloh.

Go4Life ofrece ejercicios y guia para personas mayores de 50 años. El programa se basa en una investigación que muestra que aunque sea pocos ejercicios estos ayudan a prevenir condiciones debilitantes a la salud en los adultos mayores que llevan una vida sedentaria.

“El mensaje central de Go4Life es que nunca es demasiado tarde ppara mejorar la salud a través del ejercicio,” dijo la Legisladora Vernell Wright, quien es miembro del la Junta de Consejería de Envejecientes del Condado de Union. “Aunque usted no haya hecho ejercicios por años crear una pequeña rutina puede mejorar su salud y movilidad a medida que envejece.”

El programa Go4Life fue desarrollado por el National Institute of Aging( Instituto Nacional de Envejecientes) una división de los Institutos Nacionales de Salud, para ayudar a reducer el riesgo de las enfermedades del corazón, obesidad, derrame cerebrales, diabetes y otras condiciones cronicas asociadas con un tipo de vida sedentaria.

La actividad regular hace una gran diferencia aunque hayan pasado años sin hacer ejercicios, se ha descubierto un estudio que ha demostrado que júbilados de 70 y 80 años han acquirido mejor salud después de hacer ejercicios.

Acitividades de verano al aire libre se ofrecen a los residentes del Condado de Union que incluyen Conciertos y Diversión Familiar con música y películas, y el nuevo Shakespeare en el Parque serie de teatro en vivo.

Para encontrar todos estos sitios y actividades pueden visitar ucnj.org/parks-activities o llamar al Departamento de Parques y Recreación al, 908-527-4900.

Muestras de los tipos de ejercicios y otra información sobre Go4Life visite go4life.nia.nih.gov.

Public Info

Union County Baseball Association’s 2015 “Butch” Henry Award Winners

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Christopher Hudak and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate (from 3^rd left) Omar Nunez of Elizabeth, Jonathan DeDomenico of Westfield and Matt Scalise of Kenilworth on being named outstanding players in the Union County Baseball Association’s 2015 summer youth leagues during the end-of-season picnic in Warinanco Park in Roselle. They each received the John “Butch” Henry Award for their respective leagues.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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Union County Baseball Association’s 2015 MVPs

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados, Christopher Hudak and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate Andrew Dolan of Cranford (center ) and Elgin Ebbesen of Hillside on being named the Most Valuable Players in their respective leagues in the Union County Baseball Association’s 2015 summer youth leagues during the end-of-season picnic in Warinanco Park in Roselle.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)