Author: Web Site Administrator

CLARK, NJ – The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 53rd season of music Wednesday, August 21, with a performance of Reggae and other Caribbean music by Verdict. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Linda Carter, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Verdict is a lively group that plays music with Caribbean flavor. Originally from Neptune, New Jersey, they’ve been playing music together since 1993, specializing in reggae, soca and calypso. Verdict has delighted audiences from the Stone Pony in Asbury Park to Miami Beach, San Juan and Trinidad – and even to the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. They’re one of the hottest bands in the area and they return to Oak Ridge Park with their personal blend of beach music and popular tunes from Down the Shore.

“Bring the entire family for a night of summertime beach songs at Oak Ridge Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Carter. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the sandy sounds under the stars.”

The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, Runnells Specialized Hospital and other knowledgeable staff to answer questions and offer information about programs and activities that are available to Union County residents.

The Summer Arts Festival concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The concerts in August will be at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments will be available from vendors, including ice cream, cotton candy and snacks from “The Ice Cream Man.” Pulled pork, hamburgers and specialty hot dogs will be available from “Marci’s Dog House,” winner of Best Topping and Best Truck categories on the 2012 Munchmobile tour of New Jersey.

The concluding free concert in the 2013 Union County Summer Arts Festival series will be on Wednesday, August 28, when The British Invasion Tribute will perform at Oak Ridge Park. A special Veterans Appreciation Program will take place at 7:00 p.m. before the concert.

For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholder Bruce Bergen (R) joined Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and McGruff the Crime Dog at the National Night Out event hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders on August 6 in Meisel Park in Springfield. National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is a campaign geared toward generating drug and crime awareness and prevention throughout the country.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Members of the public, in low- and moderate- income households may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 in assistance to purchase a single-family home in Union County, as part of the Sandy Homebuyer Assistance Program (SHAP).  The assistance will be provided in the form of a subordinate mortgage that will be forgiven at a rate of 20% a year, to be forgiven in full on the 6th anniversary date of the loan.

“Not only does this program help stimulate the market for new and restored homes in our area,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter, “But it is also a  great opportunity for anyone looking to become a homeowner.”

Rather than attempting to find rental units in increasingly expensive leasing markets, the SHAP program provides an increased opportunity and financial incentive for qualified applicants to purchase homes in the nine counties most severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy. The funds used for this program are part of a $25 million allocation of CDBG-DR (Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery) funds that are expected to assist approximately 500 homebuyers.

To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must meet CDBG low and moderate income (“LMI”) guidelines (less than or equal to 80% AMI).
• Applicants must have a minimum credit score of 620.
• Applicants must qualify for a first mortgage to purchase the unit.Applicant cannot own other real estate.

The program is currently in a 90-day pilot phase where applicants must currently live and purchase a new home in one of the designated areas, however after the pilot phase is complete the program will be open to anyone purchasing a home within the nine counties.

For additional information on the program and its requirements please visithttp://www.state.nj.us/dca/hmfa/homeownership/buyers/shap/.

Fact Sheet, Frequently Asked Questions and Project Overview

Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen and Bette Jane Kowalski congratulate (from left) Michael Padula of Kenilworth, Vinny Figueredo of Roselle Park and Marvin Hamilton of Elizabeth on being named outstanding players in the Union County Baseball Association’s 2013 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)

Union County Freeholder Bruce Bergen congratulates the more than 60 students who completed the Union County Freeholders College for Teens program at Union County College in Cranford. This summer the students from throughout Union County completed the three-week program which offers teens in grades 8 through 12 opportunities to explore a variety of career choices while experiencing life on a college campus. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites the public to attend Learn to Be Salt Savvy, a two-hour class designed to help County residents lower their blood pressure and trim their salt intake down to “heart smart” levels, while enjoying great-tasting meals. The class will be conducted by Rutgers University nutrition expert Dr. Karen Ensle, head of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

Learn to Be Salt Savvy is scheduled for Thursday, August 22, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm. at the Extension offices in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. A $5.00 materials fee will be collected at the door and pre-registration is required by contacting Judi Laganga at the Extension, 908-654-9854 (option 2), orjlaganga@ucnj.org.

(credit: some rights reserved by katerha

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Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The popular Wednesday Matinee Series in the air-conditioned auditorium at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside continues on August 7 and August 14 at 1:30 p.m. for families with children ages 4 and older.

“Union County is committed to providing our residents with affordable, fun, family programs at our facilities and Trailside’s Wednesday Matinee Series is a good example,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The Summer Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside offers families an assortment of creative and interactive programs that will teach, entertain and delight children.”

The Trailside Matinee Series continues for two more Wednesday through August 14. This family entertainment series begins at 1:30 p.m. each week and runs about 45 minutes. The shows are recommended for children ages 4 and older. Admission is $5 per person; $4 for senior citizens (62 & older) and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. on the day of the show. No strollers will be permitted in the auditorium.

August 7th brings “Bubble Trouble” to the Trailside stage with bubble master Jeff Boyer. It’s the most creative bubble show around. Mixing comedy, music and bubble magic, this presentation will delight all ages.

On August 14, the 2013 Wednesday Matinee Series concludes with “The Brain Show.” Test your nature knowledge as the audience participates in this lively presentation that is fun for all ages.  It is as close as you can get to a real, live TV game show!

For additional information about the Wednesday Matinee Series or other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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CLARK, NJ – The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 53rd season of music Wednesday evening, August 14, with a performance by the Sensational Soul Cruisers. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Linda Carter, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

The Sensational Soul Cruisers are an 11-man horn group fronted by four vocalists who pay homage and tribute to classic performers from Otis Redding and the Drifters to Barry White and the Commodores. They capture the essence of the Jersey Shore sound and its R&B roots. Former members of famous R&B and smooth soul groups, they capture and emulate the distinctive style and choreography of a classic show band. Celebrating more than 20 years together, the band returns to Union County to entertain fans with an assortment of rhythm & blues, Motown, Stax, Funk, and Philly Soul beyond comparison.

“Bring the entire family for a night of soulful songs and horns at Oak Ridge Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Carter. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the sounds of summer under the stars.”

The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from the Union County Sheriff’s Office with the K-9 Search and Rescue Unit and other knowledgeable staff to answer questions and offer information about programs and activities that are available to Union County residents.

The Summer Arts Festival concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. The concerts in August will be at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments will be available from vendors, including ice cream, cotton candy and snacks from “The Ice Cream Man.” Pulled pork, hamburgers and specialty hot dogs will be available from “Marci’s Dog House,” winner of Best Topping and Best Truck categories on the 2012 Munchmobile tour of New Jersey.

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:

Aug. 21 – Verdict (reggae and Caribbean music); at Oak Ridge Park.

Aug. 28 – The British Invasion Tribute; at Oak Ridge Park. A special Veterans Appreciation Program will take place at 7:00 p.m. before the concert.

For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org

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Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that the county’s Bureau of Mosquito Control is continuing its annual program of scheduled pesticide sprayings in order to reduce the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases in the region. As in past years, the spraying program began in May and will end when cooler weather prevails, in October.

The locations for the sprayings are determined on a weekly basis and have always been publicized through print media as required by statewide regulations. Last summer, Union County also began posting the schedules on its website, ucnj.org.

“Union County has a 100-year history of leadership in the mosquito control field, and that includes keeping the public informed about our operations,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “By posting schedules on the web we can reach a much wider audience than before.”

Persons who wish to minimize direct exposure to pesticides, whether from Mosquito Control activities or from their personal use, can take the following standard precautions:

• When possible, stay indoors when pesticides are in use outdoors.
• Close air conditioner vents or choose the “re-circulate” function.
• Remove outdoor toys, or wash them before using again.
• Remove laundry from clotheslines, or wash it.
• Wash all produce thoroughly with water.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, and a single female needs only a small amount of water to lay hundreds of eggs. To help keep the mosquito population down, residents and business owners are advised to check their property for any places where small amounts of water can collect such as empty flower pots, pool covers, and children’s toys.

In particular, roof gutters should be checked for sagging or blocked areas where water can collect. Litter and debris, especially discarded tires, are other favorite breeding sites.

The following standard precautions help to reduce the risk of mosquito bites:

• When possible, limit time outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Weather permitting, wear long and light-colored clothing.
• Use a repellent approved for use on skin and clothing, and to follow all instructions on the label carefully. Additional guidance on mosquito repellents is available from the Centers for Disease Control.
• Use window screens and check them periodically for tears or holes.

Mosquito infestations can be reported by calling the Union County Mosquito Hotline at 908-654-9834 during business hours. County inspectors will examine the property and provide guidance on eliminating breeding sites. If needed, the inspectors will also survey the surrounding area.

For more information about mosquito control efforts in Union County, visit the Bureau of Mosquito Control online at ucnj.org.

HILLSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal announce the concluding evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – on August 13 at Conant Park in Hillside. The evening will feature a discussion and display about turtles, snakes and other reptiles followed by the animated comedy “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” which will give families a chance to enjoy an outdoor activity and catch a movie under the stars in a Union County park.

“Family Fun and Flix begins at dusk, but come early to the park to enjoy an interesting preview activity at 7:30 p.m. that is fun for the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Bring a blanket or beach chair to claim your spot on the lawn or save a seat in the bleachers – either way, the early birds are sure to like the preview activity before the movie.”

Come to Conant Park, along Conant Street in Hillside, Tuesday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. when naturalists from Trailside Nature & Science Center will be on hand with the Eco Van to talk about the turtles, snakes and other reptiles that live in Union County. Learn the difference between a land tortoise and a water turtle. Touch a turtle shell, feel a shed snake skin and meet a live snake and turtle from Trailside’s collection. Then, at dusk, sit back and watch the animated adventure comedy “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” as Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe travel through Europe with a circus as they try to get home to the Big Apple; featuring the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, and Frances McDormand.

The Aug. 13 movie starts at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website: www.ucnj.org. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the show.

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