Author: Web Site Administrator

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 52nd season of music on Wednesday evening, July 25, with a performance of classic soul music and rhythm & blues by the Sensational Soul Cruisers, sponsored by the Union County Education Association.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Alexander Mirabella, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Sensational Soul Cruisers are much more than just another vocal harmony group with horns. Led by sax player Screamin’ Steve Barlotta of Jackson, the band captures the essence of the Jersey Shore sound and its R&B roots and has catapulted from its humble basement origins to become Jersey’s premier show band performing more than 200 shows each year. Celebrating more than 20 years together, the band returns to Union County to entertain its fans with a high-energy assortment of rhythm & blues, Motown, Stax, Funk, and classic Philly Soul.

“Bring the entire family for a fun-filled musical evening in Echo Lake Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Mirabella. “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 knowledgeable staff to answer questions and offer information about interesting programs and recreational activities available to Union County residents.

The Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout August on Wednesdays beginning at 7:30 p.m. The August concerts will be held at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments and snacks will be available from vendors.

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

Aug. 1 – Classic Rock Revue with Rick Cantor Band & The Broadcasters; at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 8 – American Rapture; at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 15 – JoBonanno & The Godsons; at Oak Ridge Park.
Aug. 22 – The B Street Band (The Original Springsteen Tribute); at Oak Ridge Park.

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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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. 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 .

Union County, NJ – Union County residents with questions about refinancing their homes can get answers through a live video conference with U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan on Thursday, July 12 at 3:15 p.m. The event will be moderated by the real estate information website Zillow.

“With today’s low interest rates, many Union County residents could benefit by refinancing,” said Union County Vice Chairman Linda Carter. “This conference is a great opportunity to learn about the process and get reliable information straight from the experts.”

To sign up in advance and see a preview question-and-answer session, visit whitehouse.gov/hangout-rsvp.

To learn more about refinancing or to watch the conference without participating, visit WhiteHouse.gov/Refi.

Union County residents with concerns about foreclosure can also visit ucnj.org/ctyclerk for links to the Union County Foreclosure Task Force, or call the Home Ownership Preservation Foundation at 888-995-HOPE (4673).

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. 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.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal are happy to announce the next evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – on July 24 at Warinanco Park. The evening will feature a display of natural artifacts from the Trailside Ecovan followed by a showing of the animated action comedy, “Puss in Boots,” 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 interesting preview activities at 7:30 p.m. that are fun for the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “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 each movie.”

Come to Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle, on Tuesday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. when naturalists from Trailside Nature & Science Center will display pelts, gemstones and other natural wonders found in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Then sit back at dusk and watch as Puss in Boots goes on a heroic adventure with Humpty Dumpty and Kitty Softpaws in pursuit of Jack and Jill with their magic beans in the 2011 DreamWorks animated adventure, “Puss in Boots” featuring the voices of Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Amy Sedaris and Billy Bob Thornton.

The other dates and locations for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix are:

• Tuesday, August 7 at Meisel Park in Springfield: Take part in National Night Out, starting at 6 p.m., before viewing the concert film, “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.”
• Tuesday, August 14 at Conant Park in Hillside: The Trailside Ecovan will feature a program about reptiles, before the animated action comedy spy film, “Cars 2.”

All movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. 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 .

ELIZABETH, NJ – Visitors to the Union County Courthouse who have studied the special exhibit of Civil War memorabilia in the Courthouse rotunda will be eligible to win a drawing for a book about the Civil War era. The drawings will be part of the activities planned by the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1861-65 conflict.

“The books to be offered in our drawing every other month will be appropriate for readers in a variety of age groups, ranging from young school children to adults,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairman of the committee. “We want to encourage visitors to the Courthouse exhibit to become involved in the Civil War commemoration and to learn more about the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

In addition to the drawing for a book every other month, the Civil War Committee also plans to host Dr. Linda Epps to speak about the Underground Railroad and Prof. Jonathan Lurie to speak about President Abraham Lincoln. The time and place of these talks will be announced soon.

The Civil War exhibit will be on display until 2015 in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. To participate in the drawing for a Civil War book, visitors may fill out a coupon with their name, phone number and/or email address, and drop the coupon in the box provided in the rotunda.

The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The displays will change from time to time. Anyone wishing to loan historical artifacts from the Civil War era for the exhibit can contact committee member Katherine Craig at 908-282-7617. All objects will be secured, locked and acknowledged.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. 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 .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) and Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh hand out American flags to the crowds at the 89th Annual Central Jersey Fourth of July Parade in Plainfield. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.

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

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi was sworn in as President of the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT) on Saturday, June 30 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the organization’s 41st annual conference and trade show.

“It is a great honor and privilege to serve as president of such a hard-working, dedicated group of government officials,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “I am excited by the opportunity to share and network ideas and programs with my colleagues from around the United States, Canada, and the world.”

Ms. Rajoppi has been a member of IACREOT since 1984, serving on various committees and in a number of leadership positions. She follows in the footsteps of her predecessor, former Union County Clerk Walter Halpin, a founding member of the group in 1971 and a former president of the international organization.

“Many of our Union County programs for constituent services emerged from discussions with other IACREOT members over the years,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “It has been a tremendous learning experience to share our knowledge with each other. In addition, I know I can, at any time, e-mail or telephone another IACREOT member to share experiences or exchange information on pending federal legislation, improved systems or emerging issues.

“IACREOT also offers certified education programs for officials through George Washington University in Washington, D.C. These specially designed education programs for public officials are a valuable asset to those of us who work in the public sector,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “This organization is a tremendous asset for working government officials.”

Ms. Rajoppi served as the Union County Register of Deeds and Mortgages for 12 years before her election in 1995 to Union County Clerk. She is the former president of the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Association of Counties.

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ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi was sworn in as President of the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT) on June 30 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. John M. Carbone, Esq., Counsel for the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey (left) administered the oath. Ms. Rajoppi’s sons, Andrew Pappas and Peter Pappas held the Bible.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. 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 .

Photo Caption: Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (right), recently presented Taylor Jensen of Scotch Plains with an outstanding achievement award for her performance as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. The performance took place in Scotch Plains at the Alan Augustine Park as part of the STARS Theater Program. The STARS Theatre Program is composed of talented local youth of all ages with a love of acting. The program has been running since 2007 and is sponsored by the Township of Scotch Plains’ Recreation Department.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org; On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook; On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd L) speaks with (from left) Joe Steiner and Beth Welsh of the Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Summit City Council President Richard Madden at the chamber’s July First Friday business breakfast event at the Grand Summit Hotel. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.

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

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal are happy to announce the next evening of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings – on July 17 at Warinanco Park. The evening will feature a display of natural artifacts followed by a showing of the animated adventure, “Happy Feet Two,” 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 interesting preview activities at 7:30 p.m. that are fun for the whole family,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “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 each movie.”

Come to Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle, on Tuesday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. when naturalists from Trailside Nature & Science Center will display some of the natural wonders found in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. Then sit back at dusk and watch as the Master of Tap, Mumble the penguin, learns that his son is reluctant to dance in the 2011 animated musical adventure, “Happy Feet Two” featuring the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, and Brad Pitt.

The other dates and locations for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix are:

• Tuesday, July 24 at Warinanco Park: The Trailside Ecovan will display pelts, gemstones and other natural wonders before the animated action comedy, “Puss in Boots.”
• Tuesday, August 7 at Meisel Park in Springfield: Take part in National Night Out, starting at 6 p.m., before viewing the concert film, “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never.”
• Tuesday, August 14 at Conant Park in Hillside: The Trailside Ecovan will feature a program about reptiles, before the animated action comedy spy film, “Cars 2.”

All movies start at dusk, weather permitting. For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and Freeholder Vernell Wright watch as Coach Jorge Alvarez works with children during a Soccer for Kids with Disabilities workshop in Warinanco Park in Roselle. Expanding public recreation opportunities for children with autism and other disabilities is one of the Freeholder Chairman’s 2012 “Putting People First” initiatives. For information on programs for people with disabilities, visit the web site: ucnj.org/recreation-for-people-with-disabilities; call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, Programs for the Disabled at 908-527-4806; or e-mail mheisey@ucnj.org.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.

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