Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – As part of his initiatives for 2012, Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella today announced the creation of the new Sensory Friendly Theater series of performances specially designed for children with autism and related disabilities at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, commencing Autism Awareness month in the U.S.

“Exposure to the arts is an important way to help enrich the quality of life for young Union County residents who need special care and attention,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This series will enable youngsters to enjoy live performances with their families in a calming, supportive atmosphere.”

Expanding public recreation opportunities for children with autism and other disabilities is one of the Freeholder Chairman’s 2012 “Putting People First” initiatives.

The new series, which begins on June 10 with Tom Chapin and Friends, is designed according to guidelines that help to reduce disturbances for youngsters who experience heightened sensory sensitivity. The Performing Arts Center is committed to a creating a judgment-free zone with plenty of trained specialists who understand autism and similar disabilities.

“The idea is to create an event that engages and celebrates individuals with autism and their families,” said Mirabella, noting the series is the result of a collaboration between the County Parks Division and the Union County Performing Arts Center.

Paper Mill Playhouse and the Children’s Specialized Hospital also assisted in making the program possible.

To design the series, Union County worked with Autism Friendly Spaces, LLC an organization that helps people with autism and their families partake in community activities.

The series of three performances includes Tom Chapin and Friends on June 10, Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories presented by Pushcart Players on October 7, and Pinocchio presented by the New Jersey Ballet on November 4.  All shows begin at 2 p.m.

Part of the cost of the series has been offset with County funding, helping to keep the price of admission affordable. All seats are $8 per person.

The Union County Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation operating in the historic Rahway Theatre.  Conveniently located in downtown Rahway at 1601 Irving Street, this historic landmark is the cornerstone of the Rahway Arts District. The theater is a beautifully restored 1920’s era former vaudeville house and movie palace owned by the County of Union and managed by the nonprofit Union County Performing Arts Center.

For information on the Sensory Friendly Theater series visit theSensory Friendly Theater web page or call the UC PAC box office, 732-499-8226. Information on all events and activities at UC PAC visit ucpac.org.

Union County, NJ – Registration has been extended for the Union County Freeholder Board’s popular, free networking breakfast series. Called “The Dollars and $ense of Funding Your Business,” the event hosted in part by TD Bank,  will be held at L’Affaire, 1099 Route 22 in Mountainside on Wednesday, April 4 starting at 7:45 a.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts from the US Small Business Administration, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and TD Bank among others, and will learn how small business and prospective business owners can tap into alternate sources of capital when conventional lending sources are unavailable.

Pre-registration is required by visiting ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness, or call Union County at
908-527-4200; space is limited.

 

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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 Freeholders Vernell Wright (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) join (from 3rd L) Walter Kreher from U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Rahway Mayor Rick Proctor, Dr. Phillip Frese, President of the Domus Corporation, Msgr. Christopher Hynes from the Archdiocese of Newark and Rahway Councilman David Brown in breaking ground for the Melvin & Margaret Myers Senior Residence facility located on Esterbrook Avenue in Rahway. The new facility is a HUD 202 project of Domus Housing Corp. and will be a contemporary four story senior residence that will offer affordable and brand new apartment living open to local qualified individuals. The County of Union provided partial funding for the project through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Home Investment Partnerships Program. (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 atwww.ucnj.org
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Daniel Sullivan (red shirt) joined Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, City Council members, young athletes and their families at the ribbon cutting officially opening the new synthetic fields at the Waterfront Athletic Fields on Front Street in Elizabeth. Partial funding of $500,000 was provided by the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund.  (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 atwww.ucnj.org
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L), Angel G. Estrada (5thR), Vernell Wright (3rd R) and Christopher Hudak (R) join Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka and Fire Chief Joseph Rizzo as they cut the ribbon officially reopening Fire Station No. 4 on South Wood Avenue in Linden. Assemblywoman Linda Stender (2nd R) and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari (4th L), Vice Chairman Carolyn Vollero (3rd L), Commissioners Sebastian D’Elia and Cherron Rountree (back center) and Linden Councilwoman Michele Yamakaitis (4th R) also attended the ceremony. The renovation project was a joint venture between the Union County Improvement Authority and the City of Linden.  (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 atwww.ucnj.org
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County – Spaces are still available for the free tree planting event sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with help from the Board of Chosen Freeholders,  at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on April 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Participants will learn the basics of tree care while helping to plant 20 flowering crabapple trees in the park.

The program is free and open to adults and children 3rd grade and older. Pre-registration is required by contacting the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program at 908-654-9854 or via email at Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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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.

 

“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.”

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, April 14, at Union County Vo-Tech in Scotch Plains.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The April 14th shredding event will take place at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 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 everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. 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 shredded on site. 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 Friday, April 27, at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

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 .

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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), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Union County Sheriff’s Captain Cynthia Weber congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Captain Weber was honored for excellence in law enforcement.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Rosalind Straus of Union congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Straus was honored for lifetime achievement.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Julie Pinho, owner of Pinho’s Bakery in Roselle, congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Pinho was honored for excellence as a  business owner.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Deborah Palacio of Cranford congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Palacio was honored for excellence as an entrepreneur.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Eleanor McGovern of Fanwood congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. McGovern was honored for excellence in government.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Dr. Margaret McMenamin of Springfield congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Dr. McMenamin, who is President of Union County College, was honored for excellence in education.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Ruth Maloney of Westfield congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Maloney was honored for excellence in community service.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Elizabeth Gloeggler of Plainfield congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Gloeggler was honored for excellence in volunteerism.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and (from 3rd R) Freeholders Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Helen Genova, Ph.D. of Union congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Genova was honored for excellence in health sciences.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L), Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and Freeholders (from 3rd R) Deborah Scanlon, Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Amy Carow of Scotch Plains congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 20th Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner on March 23 in Garwood. Carow was honored for excellence in youth leadership.

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The Commission on the Status of Women is sponsored by The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Its’ mission is to call attention to the contributions of women who live or work in Union County. Each year, awards are given in different fields including education, health care, the arts, government, business, law, community service, technology, humanitarianism, public service, women’s advocacy, and lifetime achievement. (Photos 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.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Freeholder Board’s popular free networking breakfast series will hold its third session in partnership with TD Bank. Called “The Dollars and $ense of Funding Your Business,” the event will be held at L’Affaire, 1099 Route 22 in Mountainside on Wednesday, April 4 starting at 7:45 a.m.

Any person who owns or manages a business in Union County, or who is planning to open a business in the County, is welcome to attend free of charge. Pre-registration is required by visitingucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness, or call Union County at 908-527-4200.

“We had a fantastic response to the first two sessions and we expect this one to connect the local business community with even more information about government resources that can help them grow and create more jobs in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The Dollars and $ense of Funding Your Business features a panel discussion with Alfred Titone of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Lori Matthews of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Ellen McHenry of the Union County Economic Development Corporation, Carlos Sanchez of the Elizabeth Development Company and Dominick N. Miceli, SVP and Market President at TD Bank.

“If you have a large business or a small one, or if you’re just starting out, all are welcome,” said Mirabella. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get information that can help your business, straight from the source.”

Mirabella proposed the free networking breakfast series as a cornerstone of his 2012 Chairman’s Initiatives, “Putting People First,” which are designed to help more County residents connect with government services and resources. The initiative includes the County’s UC Means Business website which serves as an information clearinghouse for local businesses, and a free e-newsletter.

The Union County Means Business series is sponsored by the Freeholder Board in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corporation, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, Union County College and the New Jersey Small Business Development Center.

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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 Freeholders Daniel Sullivan (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) present resolutions to members of the Union County Adopt-A-Trail Chainsaw Crew thanking them for removing nearly 900 fallen trees from along hiking and bridle trails in the Watchung Reservation, Lenape Park and Ash Brook Reservation last year. The Freeholder Board commended and honored the trained volunteer group for their efforts and time donated throughout 2011, but especially following Hurricane Irene and the October Nor’easter. The Chainsaw Crew members are (from left): Rich Palmatier, Jane Osman, Sal Coppa, Bob Czaja, Bill Wallis, Larry Russo and Ned O’Connell.
(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.