Category: Public Info

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of six different fabric and found object creations by Paula Borenstein 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 her work entitled “Girls” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through August 14. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Paula Borenstein was the Artist in Residence at the Elizabeth Public Library in the Fall of 2014. During that time, she conducted workshops, exhibited fabric collages, and created a room-sized installation entitled “Sanctuary” that traced her family’s history as refugees in the United States following World War II. Her program was made possible in part by a HEART Grant (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“Paula has been an active participant in all things artistic and historical in Elizabeth for many years,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “It’s a great pleasure to display her beautiful collages.”

Paula Borenstein is a founding member, past-president and current vice president of the Elizabeth Arts Council. The EAC was founded in 1999 and Paula has participated in every show, exhibiting mainly photographs and creating art installations. She is affiliated with the Elizabeth Landmarks and Preservation Committee, the Newark Historical Society, the Newark Landmarks and Preservation Committee, and the Union County Historical Society.

Ms. Borenstein earned a B.A. in History from Rutgers University in Newark and a Masters in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin School of Library and Information Science.

As a curator, Paula has put on many exhibits in Elizabeth, including an exhibit on James Thurber at the Elizabeth Public Library; the exhibit “Elizabeth through Artists’ Eyes” at Boxwood Hall Historic Site; and “Cool Art in June” and other exhibits sponsored by the Elizabeth Arts Council at various venues.

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.

The exhibit will be on display until July 13 at Liberty Hall Center which is located at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union. Viewing times are from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Union County, NJ  –  The school year has barely come to a close, and students from high schools across Union County have already provided a giant assist for next year’s classes. They collected more than 19,000 school supplies and raised $3,000 in cash to help ensure that every child can start the next school year properly equipped, and ready for success.

The countywide project, called “Donate to Educate – Schools Supplying Schools” was created and carried out by students who participated in the Freeholder Board’s UC-STEP youth development summit last year.

“These young people showed a lot of character, and they engaged the whole Union County community in a project that will give a helping hand to students from families in need,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “They have provided an inspirational demonstration of the great things that happen when we all pull together for a good cause.”

UC-STEP (the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program) began in 2013 as an initiative of Freeholder Linda Carter, who was Freeholder Chairman that year. It is a daylong summit that brings high school sophomores and juniors together from all walks of life, to practice leadership skills and engage in personal development activities.

The summit culminates in the creation and selection – by popular vote – of a countywide civic engagement project to be carried out in the spring, with the support of the Freeholder Board and other community sponsors.

The first UC-STEP campaign, called Support 4 Soldiers, enlisted the Union County community to collect “care package” items for active duty military members serving overseas. A total of 250 care packages were assembled through the efforts of that campaign.

The co-sponsors of this year’s Donate to Educate” – Schools Supplying Schools campaign were The Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County and Ivy Visions Inc. of Plainfield.

This year, 14 high schools participated: Academy for Performing Arts, Academy for Allied Health Sciences (both part of the UC Vo-Tech school district), Arthur L. Johnson, Barack Obama Green Charter, Cranford, Governor Livingston, Jonathon Dayton, Linden, Plainfield, Roselle Catholic, Summit, UC TEAMS, Union, and Union Catholic.

The campaign also included a friendly competition between the schools, based on the number of donations raised. Union Catholic High School of Scotch Plains was the first place winner and was awarded the Freeholder Board’s $1,000 START NOW grant for collecting an impressive total of 14,841 items.

UC TEAMS of Plainfield and Governor Livingston High School of Berkeley Heights came in second and third, respectively. They each received a grant of  $500.

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Reposted from Patch.com

A company that supplies several New Jersey stores with bottled water has issued a recall because one of its source springs may be contaminated with E.coli.

New Jersey stores that sell the recalled products include including Wegmans, ShopRite, 7-Eleven, Acme and more, according to recall notices.

According to Niagara Bottling, the water was produced at the Hamburg and Allentown, Penn. facilities between 3 a.m. June 10 and 8 p.m. June 18.

According to the company’s notice, here’s the full list of brand names under which the water was sold:

• Acadia
• Acme
• Big Y
• Best Yet
• 7-Eleven
• Niagara
• Nature’s Place
• Pricerite
• Superchill
• Morning Fresh
• Shaws
• ShopRite
• Western Beef Blue
• Wegmans

To determine if your water is affected, look at the code on the bottle. Only codes that begin with the letters A or F are affected.

“The first digit after the letter indicates the number of the production line. The next two numbers indicate the day, then the month in letters, the year, and then the time, based on a 24-hour clock,” the notice said.

For example, A610JUN15 2000 means the water was produced at Allentown on line 6, and manufactured on June 10, 2015 at 8 p.m. Products made between 3 a.m. June 10 and 8 p.m. June 18 should not be consumed, the notice said.

Some 16.9 oz. bottles of Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Spring Water are being recalled “out of an abundance of caution,’’ Wegmans said on its website.

No illnesses have been reported and “this bottled water is treated with a continuous ozonation process, a proven kill step for E.coli,’’ the website said.

Additionally, only the following products are part of the recall:


• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz UPC 7789018860
• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 12-pack UPC 7789010085
• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 24-pack UPC 7789028768
• Wegmans FYFGA Spring Water, 16.9 oz, 35-pack UPC 7789029365

No other sizes or code dates are affected by the recall issued by Niagara Bottling. All products may be returned for a full refund. For more information, call Wegmans Consumer Affairs at 1-855-934-3663, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“As the spring source did not notify us in a timely manner, we have discontinued the use of this source,’’ the notice from Niagara Bottling said.

By Joanne Rajoppi, Union County Clerk

June 2015

Now that the summer travel season is under way, I’d like to update you on the ways in which my office can help with passport applications and other vital services.

The Office of the County Clerk is an authorized agent of the U.S. State Department and a one-stop portal for your passport application process.

By federal law, new passports and renewals for children age 15 and under require an in-person visit by the child and parents. We can process your forms and take your photograph at either of our two locations, the historic County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or the new Colleen Frasier Building in Westfield, 300 North Avenue East.

Mass transit and nearby parking are available for both sites, and we have extended our hours to make our passport services more accessible.  The Elizabeth office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Westfield office has a flexible schedule: Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Land records are another critical service used by many Union County residents, businesses and professionals.  That is clearly demonstrated by our Online Public Land Records property search page, which received more than 900,000 individual visits last year alone.

Information can be accessed and transmitted electronically, without the need to travel to the archives.  As a one-stop portal, our search page includes links for viewing and printing any document that has been published online, ordering certified copies by mail, and accessing our newly expanded e-recording service. Persons without Internet access can request information by phone or mail.

E-recording enables documents to be recorded electronically. If you are unfamiliar with this service, you can call my office at 908-527-4787 to find out more. 

We also provide important services for veterans. These services are all free of charge and they can be accessed remotely, online or by phone and mail.  Veterans can have their Honorable Discharge documents recorded and obtain certified copies, and receive Honorable Discharge identification cards (the “Veterans’ ID” card) and Veterans’ Peddlers Licenses. We also coordinate an online list of businesses offering discounts to holders of the Veterans ID card.

Similarly, businesses registering trade names as required by State law can conduct their transactions by mail using our downloadable forms. Persons applying to become notaries public can use our notary portal, which includes links for completing the application online or downloading mail-in forms.

If you have any questions about our services please visit our office or call 908-527-4787 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

To view the County Clerk website visit ucnj.org/county-clerk. For passport questions, call the Elizabeth office at 908-527-4966 or the Westfield office at 908-527-9859.

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Union County, NJ  –  A big thank-you from the Freeholder Board goes out to the great group of 32 Adopt-a-Park volunteers from Morgan Stanley, who spent their Thursday this week out at the Deserted Village of Feltville in Union County’s Watchung Reservation. They spread mulch, removed invasive plants, repaired a split rail fence, and fixed erosion problems along a nearby trail. To top it off, they cleaned windows, floors and exhibit cases in the Church-Store building at the village. Morgan Stanley also provided a generous donation that will go to purchase tools, herbicide and new split rail fencing. Every year, hundreds of volunteers provide invaluable assistance with nature conservation and beautification projects in County parks. To join Adopt-a-Park as an individual or group, visit the County website at ucnj.org or call the Department of Parks and Recreation, 908-789-3683. Photos: Betty Ann Kelly/County of Union.

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The Warinanco Park Skating Rink—a familiar old friend and landmark for Union County skaters since 1961—will undergo an extensive $7 million modernization and renovation that will double the overall complex space and transform it into a year-round venue for skating and other activities, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced.

Work is expected to begin by the end of this Summer, and last approximately one year.   During that time, the facility will be closed for open public skating, but remain open for high school games and practices.

“Our goal is to provide modernized amenities for skaters while creating a venue that can remain in use year-round for a variety of purposes,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Warinanco Park Skating Rink was considered a state-of-the-art facility when it opened in 1961, and we are looking forward to an exciting update that will restore its prominence.”

Elements of the renovation/modernization include:

• A new state-of-the-art field house which will measure 11,000 square feet, and include a room for parties, a food concession area, a video game room, a retail pro shop and skate rental room;
• A new exterior seating area that will be covered, protecting patrons from the elements;
• The rink’s refrigeration building will be renovated;
• A new ice rink floor (covering the same foot print) including new refrigeration piping, LEED lighting and reflective ceiling which will be made from a material which will help prevent humidity build-up;
• New bleachers and flooring surrounding the ice floor as well as new boards, glass and nets;
• An all new gas fireplace–stone covered and running the height of the building;
• Team locker rooms will be remodeled.

“The Warinanco Park Skating Rink is a place where generations of families have made memories and will continue to do so once the renovations are complete,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board’s parks liaison. “We look forward to cutting the ribbon next year on the imaginative recreation of this landmark.”

The rink will become known as the Warinanco Sports Center going forward once the project is complete. In the Spring and Summer once the ice is removed, field turf will be laid on the rink floor and baseball/softball batting cages will be added as well as an infield so as to service the large number of baseball and softball leagues which currently use the park.

The new Warinanco Sports Center is expected to be opened in two phases, the first phase will allow for hockey games in the fall.

Most parts of the facility are currently in an advanced state of deterioration and will be torn down and replaced by new construction and signage.  Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan is the general contractor, and Netta Architects of Mountainside has designed the new facility.

The rink, which is located on the Roselle side of the park, was part of the original plans for the park drawn up in the 1920s. It was finally built and opened as an outdoor facility in October, 1961 with much fanfare: the opening program featured group and solo exhibitions from local professional and amateur skaters, a pee wee hockey game, and speed skating.  The rate card billed the rink as “The First Public Artificial Ice Skating Rink in Union County.”

The rink was built in what was then known as the “Spinning Woods” area of Warinanco Park, and cost $225,000 to construct. It required 216 tons of sand for the base and 32 tons of crystal spar.

A roof was added in 1969 making the ice surface usable in all weather conditions.The rink is now home ice for hockey teams from five Union County high schools and is used by nearly 50,000 skaters each year.

Warinanco Park has seen extensive renovations culminating over the past year with the opening of the new athletic turf field and track area on the Roselle side, and a new sprayground/playground sports area on the Elizabeth side, across from the Boat House.

Located in the City of Elizabeth, and the Borough of Roselle, Warinanco Park, which opened in the mid 1920s, comprises 205 acres of developed park land, and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm.

Beginning in 1857 with the design for Central Park in New York City, Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), his sons and successor firm created designs for more than 6,000 landscapes across North America, including many of the world’s most important parks.

For generations of Union County residents,  Warinanco Park is arguably the County’s most well-known recreational facility.  While it is deceivingly small in size, the park’s many features make it appear as if it were actually much bigger.

Warinanco Park has four distinct areas: the Central Park area, the boathouse/playground area, the skating center, and the track area.

Some other  popular attractions include  the Chatfield Gardens; the park’s Great Walk area; tennis courts; ball fields; and par-course fitness route.  In the Spring, the park is noted for its colorful blooms of Cherry Blossom, Dogwood trees and Azaleas.  

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is happy to announce the lineup for the Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series which begins its 55^th season of music on Wednesday evening, July 8. Tusk, the ultimate Fleetwood Mac Experience will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series will take place at Oak Ridge Park in Clark during the month of July and move to Echo Lake Park in Mountainside during the month of August.

Tusk, is made up of five distinctive musicians who have been making music together in various styles and cover bands for more than 25 years and specifically performing the Fleetwood Mac hits for at least seven years.

Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from vendors.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

“The Union County Summer Arts Festival offers families the opportunity to come out to Oak Ridge Park and enjoy some outstanding entertainment under the stars,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “And UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park is a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

The Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout July and August. The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series include:

At Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• July 8 – Tusk
• July 15 – Ed Palermo’s Big Band
• July 22 – Jo Bonanno & the Godsons of Soul
• July 29 – Hey Bulldog (Beatles Tribute)—Sponsored by Union County Education Association

At Echo Lake Park, Mountainside (All sponsored by ConnectOne Bank)

• August 5 – Good Vibrations (tribute to The Beach Boys)
• August 12 – American Rapture
• August 19 – The Benjamins
• August 26 – The Sensational Soul Cruisers

For rain information you can call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at (908) 558-4079 after 3:30 p.m. on the day of the concert or you can visit the Union County web site: www.ucnj.org.

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Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, will kick off the 2015 schedule with the showing of “Box Trolls” on Tuesday evening, July 14 at Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle. 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.

The Box Trolls is an animated adventure comedy which tells the story of a young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors. The boy attempts to save his friends from an evil exterminator. The movie is based on the children’s novel “Here Be Monsters” by Alan Snow.

“Family Fun & Flix, combined with UC Fit Kids, 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.

The complete schedule for this summer’s Family Fun and Flix is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 14 at Warinanco Park: Box Trolls.
• Tuesday, July 21 at Warinanco Park: Dolphin Tale 2 (Sponsored by Investors Bank).
• Tuesday, July 28 at Warinanco Park: Big Hero 6.
• Tuesday, August 4 at Meisel Park, Springfield (National Night Out): Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
• Tuesday, August 11 at Warinanco Park: Annie (Sponsored by Investors Bank).

All movies start at dusk, 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 case 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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