Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County Freeholder Mohamed Jalloh Selected as Co-Grand Marshall of Sierra Leone Parade Celebrating the Country’s 50th Independence Day

The Sierra Leone Parade and ensuing festival, which was held on Saturday, April 23rd at Naaman Williams Park in Somerset, N.J drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters. The event was sponsored by the Sierra Leonean Community of New Jersey (SLCNJ) in partnership with Hamilton Street Business & Community Corporation (HSBCC). Jalloh is a native of Union County whose father Ben is a native of Kabala in the Northern region of Sierra Leone. Jalloh served with Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula as Grand Marshalls. Jalloh made history by being the first African-American with Sierra Leonean roots to hold the position of Freeholder in Union County.

The festival featured Sierra Leonean artistic exhibits, various ethnic group performances, children’s activities and ethnic foods, showcasing various aspects of African culture to the public. Several thousand attended, including government officials, business executives, community leaders, foreign dignitaries, and cultural groups participating in this event.

Public Info

Scotch Plains & Fanwood Art Association Members Exhibit at Freeholders Gallery

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to present artworks by the members of the Scotch Plains and Fanwood Art Association (SPFAA). The exhibit is on display through June 1 at the Freeholders Gallery located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“These talented artists based in Scotch Plains and Fanwood work in various media including photography, watercolor, pastel, and sculpture,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “We’re happy to share their images with a larger audience by exhibiting their work at the Freeholders Gallery.”

The SPFAA members featured are Bill Connolly, Marion Derrett, Tracy Farrell, Sylvie MacDonald, Mike McKenna, Paula Pearl, Connie Pinkowski, Donna Stein, and Steve Willis.

Bill Connolly studied drawing at the duCret School of Art, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, and the Montclair Art Museum. He is a native of Scranton, PA and a resident of Garwood. Connolly is a trustee of the Millburn-Short Hills Arts Center and a member of the Livingston and Westfield Art Associations.

Marion Derrett is a native of England who studied to be a teacher. She has won various awards for her paintings of landscapes, still life, and portraits. Her inspiration comes from traveling to many countries. Derrett is a juried associate member of the Pastel Society of America and the American Artists Professional League.

Tracy Farrell is a resident of Union County. She began seriously taking digital photographs in 2010. Her photos have been shown at local and international juried shows in New Jersey and New York as member of both SPFAA and the Milburn-Short Hills Art Center.

Sylvie MacDonald was born in France. Her witty and whimsical artwork is influenced by her heritage and culture. She has developed a love for folktales from her travels around the world. Also a Spanish and French instructor, she loves to combine learning with humorous visual materials.

Mike McKenna is a self-taught photographer who has honed his art by reading, trial and error, and by studying the masters of landscape photography: Ed and Brett Weston, Ansel Adams, and Art Wolf. He has won awards with his own style based on natural lighting and heavy contrast.

Paula Pearl has a background in photography which she feels has a strong influence on the lighting and composition of her paintings. She is drawn to scenes with water. Many of her paintings show quiet, serene, ethereal places that come from her love of nature and the beauty around us.

Connie Pinkowski earned a BFA in photography at Rochester Institute of Technology. She also studied photography and silkscreen printing at duCret School of Art in Plainfield and at LBI Foundation of Arts and Sciences in Long Beach Island. She taught photography at the Scotch Plains Library and has conducted art workshops for teens and adults.

Donna Stein, after a 40-year teaching career, has become a pastel painter, drawn to pastels because of the immediacy of the medium. She holds a BS from Southern Connecticut University plus a BS and an MA from Seton Hall University.

Steven Willis is the owner/operator of a bicycle shop in Scotch Plains and has been interested in art as far back as he can remember. His wife helped re-inspire him to pursue art. He started with graphite and progressed to other media, now focusing on portraits.

For further information about the Scotch Plains & Fanwood Art Association, please visit www.spfaa.org or contact Paula Pearl at (908) 322-2590. To learn about exhibiting at the Freeholders Gallery, please contact the curator, Teya David, at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. Telephone (908) 558- 2550 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ Relay users dial 711.

Public Info

Union County’s Mobile Document-Shredding Program Will Visit Union, May 18

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Wednesday, May 18, at the Township Public Works facility in Union.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents eliminate clutter in their homes and also fight identity theft,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with our other Go Green Initiatives.”

The May 18 shredding event will take place at Union Public Works, off Vauxhall Road and Stahuber Avenue, in Union. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1:00 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate all participants, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and put through the shredder. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place on Thursday, June 9, at Rahway River Park in Rahway.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle.

Public Info

Photos: Cranford River Cleanup

Public Info

Photo: Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association Honored

Union County Freeholder Daniel Sullivan (L) presents a resolution to members of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association recognizing and honoring them for their efforts in preserving the outdoor shooting sports, giving back to the community and maintaining stewardship of the lands and waters in the State of New Jersey. The Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association was formed during the construction of the Oak Ridge Archery Range in Scotch Plains in 2009. (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

Public Info

Photo: 2011 Union County Consumer Bowl Winners

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (4th L) and Christopher Hudak (R) congratulate the Linden High School Consumer Bowl Team on winning the 2011 Union County Consumer Bowl. The team includes Captain Angelika Drozd, Angelo Monaco, Dan Ortiz, Milena Drozd, Zak Modrak Manessa Lormejuste and Mwakulomba Juma. They are joined by Union County Consumer Affair Director Florence Peterson (L). (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Public Info

Photo: 2011 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest Winners

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (L) congratulates the winners of the 2011 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest. The winners are (from left) Monica Archer of Garwood, Meghan Kelly of Union, Rebecca LaQuaglia of Union, Caitlin Haggerty of Union, Vienna Holmes of Springfield, Terrell Boccia of Elizabeth and Jessica Gannon of Clark. Contestants, ranging from grades 6 through 8, had to prepare an original work in an effort to promote Arbor Day and creatively show the importance of trees in Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Public Info

Union County Statement on Death of Osama bin Laden

Union County, NJ – Reacting to the announcement last night that Osama bin Laden has been killed in an operation carried out by U.S. forces, Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon stated:

“This mass murderer of innocents has now answered for his crimes. On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I congratulate President Obama and all those who worked to achieve this milestone, especially those service members who carried out an extremely dangerous mission with great courage. The death of Osama bin Laden removes an obstacle in the path of cooperation among nations. In honor of the memory of those who suffered at his hands, let us pledge to use this opportunity to build a more peaceful and compassionate future.

“As we pause to reflect on this historic event, we reaffirm Union County’s role as a core emergency responder for our region, and we renew our commitment to vigilance and readiness.”

# #

Public Info

Free Class Offers Tips on Saving Money While Eating Healthier Foods

Union County, NJ – “How to Enjoy a Balanced Diet on a Balanced Budget” is a free two-hour course that covers all the basics of planning, shopping, and cooking to save money and eat healthier, tastier food. The class, offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., in the new County building at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. The class is free but pre-registration is required by contacting Digna Torres at the Extension offices, 908-654-9854 ordtorres@ucnj.org.

Food bills can be sky high when too many prepared, processed foods are included in the shopping list. These same foods are typically high in unhealthy ingredients like sugar, bleached white flour, and fat. Participants in the class will learn how the switch to healthier foods can help save money, trim waistlines, and lead to better nutrition and overall wellness.

Topics include planning menus around low-cost foods, cutting down on waste in the kitchen, and spotting the best deals in supermarkets.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Freeholder Board. For all Extension programs visit call 908-654-9854 or visit www.ucnj.org.

# #

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

Public Info

Rhythm and Blues by the Brook Returns to Plainfield on June 4

Union County, NJ – Union County will kick off its popular free summer music series on Saturday, June 4 with the annual Rhythm and Blues by the Brook festival at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. The legendary Nile Rodgers & CHIC will headline with a 10-piece band, following a day of performances by DJ Bookeem, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Red Alert and Melissa Providence. The event includes a multitude of food vendors, a marketplace and free admission to the G-Wiz Auto Entertainment Classic and Exotic Automotive Supershow, along with modestly priced amusement rides and free activities for children in the Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee.

The music starts at 12:00 noon and runs to 7:00 p.m. Kids Kingdom is open from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Directions, a list of permitted/prohibited items for Cedar Brook Park, and many other event details are posted athttps://ucnj.org/randb, or call the R&B hotline for more information, 908-436-2900.

“With many households on a tight budget, Union County’s summer concerts give everyone a chance to unwind and enjoy great music together,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Rhythm and Blues by the Brook has become a favorite annual gathering spot for friends and families, and we are thrilled that Nile Rodgers and his fellow artists will join our celebration this year.”

DJ Bookeem leads off the festivities at 12:00 noon and provides entertainment between each act, with Melissa Providence appearing at 12:15, followed by DJ Red Alert at 1:45, Doug E. Fresh at 3:15, and Nile Rogers & Chic at 5:15.

Beyond shaping the sound of modern R&B and Hip-Hop with long time collaborator Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers is beloved by millions of music fans worldwide through his work as a songwriter and producer for a startling array of top musical talent including – just to name a few – Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, The Sugarhill Gang, Deborah Harry, David Bowie, Madonna, The Thompson Twins, Mick Jagger, Al Jarreau, Cyndi Lauper, The B-52’s, and The Stray Cats. His creative spark is also at work on numerous soundtracks for popular films and video games, including Halo.

Back at Rhythm & Blues by the Brook by popular demand, Union County native DJ Bookeem hails from Plainfield. The “Classic King” is renowned throughout the tri-state area for his skilled weaving of monster hits from the past with new sounds of the present and future.

Newcomer Melissa Providence has created a genre all her own, with a powerful voice and style entwining her passion for soul with R&B, along with hints of reggae roots.

DJ Red Alert is recognized worldwide as one of the founding fathers of Hip-Hop. He was named one of the 50 most influential people in music by Rolling Stone Magazine, and he is the only DJ of his era to be honored in the Radio Section of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now a seasoned radio jock, club jock and studio man, Kool DJ Red Alert’s World Famous Radio Mix Show can be heard on 98.7 Kiss FM every Friday and Saturday night.

Doug E. Fresh is the original “human beat box” who touched off an international Hip-Hop trend. He has performed and worked with numerous Hip-Hop luminaries including Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Eminem, P. Diddy, and Dr. Dre, along with musical artists from the worlds of reggae, R&B, jazz and gospel as well as international acts from around the world such as Japan’s DJ Hasebe, Sweden’s South Street Rockers, and French rappers Supa Saian Crew.

Along with bringing a first class musical experience to Cedar Brook Park, Rhythm and Blues by the Brook includes food, fun and family gatherings. The Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee features inflatable rides, a rock wall and other moderately priced activities for children along with free activities and strolling performers to amaze and entertain. The G-Wiz Auto Entertainment Classic and Exotic Automotive Supershow, a perennial favorite, offers concert goers a unique up-close look at some of the finest machines on wheels.

This is a rain or shine event. For complete information on Rhythm & Blues by the Brook visit ucnj.org/randb or call the R&B hotline, 908-436-2900.

Information on all Union County summer events is available at the County website, https://ucnj.org.

Nile Rodgers & CHIC headline at the annual Union County Rhythm and Blues by the Brook free music festival at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Saturday, June 4, 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Also performing are DJ Bookeem, Doug E. Fresh, DJ Red Alert and Melissa Providence.

# #