Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Nationally renowned recording artist Ralph Covert brings the rock ‘n’ roll fun of his popular musical creationRalph’s World to the Union County Performing Arts Center for a special performance on Sunday, June 30 at 2:00 p.m., at 1601 Irving Street in the heart of the Rahway Arts District.

The show is part of the Union County Sensory Friendly Theater series, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

Sensory Friendly Theater is especially designed for persons with autism and other sensory sensitivities, enabling them to enjoy the enriching experience of the performing arts with their families and care givers in a relaxed, judgment-free atmosphere.

To get more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office, 732-499-8226, or visit ucpac.org.

The non-profit Union County Performing Arts Center is housed in a historic former vaudeville palace. Originally saved by local preservationists, the building was purchased by Union County, fully restored to its original splendor, and updated with modern equipment including central air conditioning.

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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.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal are happy to announce the schedule of “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series on Tuesday evenings that gives 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 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 each movie.”

Come to Warinanco Park, on the border of Elizabeth and Roselle, Tuesday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. when naturalists from Trailside Nature & Science Center will be on hand with the Ecovan to explain what makes a mammal a mammal. Get a close-up look at skulls, pelts and animal tracks to identify some local species. Then sit back at dusk and enjoy the story of a boy who tries to win the heart of his dream girl while learning about trees from a charming grump known as the Lorax in the 2012 animated musical comedy, “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” featuring the voices of Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, and Danny DeVito.

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

• Tuesday, July 16 at Warinanco Park: The Trailside Ecovan will feature a display about local birds before the showing of the animated monster comedy, “Hotel Transylvania.”
• Tuesday, July 23 at Warinanco Park: The Trailside Ecovan will feature a display about turtles, snakes and other local reptiles before the animated fantasy comedy, “Brave.”
• Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Meisel Park, Springfield: Be part of National Night Out, starting at 6 p.m., before viewing the animated family comedy, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”
• Tuesday, Aug. 13 at Conant Park, in Hillside: The Trailside Ecovan will feature a display about reptiles, before the animated comedy, “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.”

All movies start 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 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Summer is here and Union County’s Watchung Stable is offering a “Summer Saving Special” for all Union County residents from July 6 through July 28.

For every public trail ride purchased by a Union County resident during the month of July, a second rider will receive a discounted rate on that same day. The cost for the first participant will be $32 and the second participant will receive the discount rate of $20.

“Trail rides in the wooded Watchung Reservation are a great way to enjoy warm summer days,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Now families and friends who like to ride can share the fun at a discount during the month of July.”

The public trail rides are held every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m., weather permitting. All participants must be nine years of age or older and trail rides are on a first-come first-served basis. A valid form of ID is required to receive a discount.

For those younger riders under nine, Watchung Stable offers lead-lines on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Lead-line rides are available weather permitting and are held on a first-come first-served basis. The cost for a lead-line ride is $18 for Union County residents and $26 for out-of-county participants. Lead-lines are 30-minute rides only.

Special private group rides also are available at Watchung Stable for individuals or groups up to 15 people. These rides need to be set up in advance at a mutually convenient time. The cost of a private ride is the rental fee (in-county $32; out-of-county $45) plus an additional $32 for the instructor. The summer discount rate does not apply for private trail rides.

The trail rides and lead-line rides are held at Watchung Stable, located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. daily.

Watchung Stable is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For further information, call 908-789-3665 during the normal office hours or email questions to stablequestions@ucnj.org.

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The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series begins its 53rd season of music on Wednesday evening, July 10, with a Classic Rock Revue featuring performances by popular Jersey bands Lot B and the Rick Cantor Band. 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 Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Lot B is one of the hottest bands in North Jersey. With unique arrangements and harmonies (featuring lead vocals by Brooke Hern, Mayor of New Providence), their blend of classic rock, blues, R&B, funk and Top 40 hits generates energy and excitement wherever they perform.

The Rick Cantor Band (Mike “Bubba” Bange, Rick Cantor, Travis Hudelson and Jim Sampson) hail from Westfield, Cranford and Short Hills. They’ve played classic rock in New Jersey and New York for more than 50 years collectively, specializing in hits from the ‘60’s and ‘70’s.

“Bring the entire family for a rocking good evening in Echo Lake 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 Bureau of Recycling and Planning and other knowledgeable staff to answer questions and offer information about interesting programs and recreational activities that are available to Union County residents.

The Summer Arts Festival concerts continue throughout July and August on Wednesdays beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concerts in July will be at Echo Lake Park on the Mountainside-Westfield border and in August 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:

July 17 – American Rapture; at Echo Lake Park.

July 24 – EagleMania; at Echo Lake Park.

July 31 – Ed Palermo Big Band; at Echo Lake Park.

Aug.  7 – Tusk (tribute to Fleetwood Mac); at Oak Ridge Park.

Aug. 14 – Sensational Soul Cruisers; at Oak Ridge Park.

Aug. 21 – Verdict (Reggae); at Oak Ridge Park.

Aug. 28 – The British Invasion 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

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich, Union County Acting Prosecutor Grace H. Park, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and Union County Police Chief Daniel Vaniska joined law enforcement officials and church leaders as New Jersey Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced today in Elizabeth that a state-sponsored gun buyback program for the residents of both Hudson and Union Counties will be held on July 12 and 13.

The three Union County churches participating in the program are: The New Zion Baptist Church located at 800 Flora Street in Elizabeth, The Morning Star Community Christian Center located at 1009 Chandler Avenue in Linden, and Shiloh Baptist Church at 525 West Fourth Street in Plainfield.

The gun buyback program in Union County is also being made as per Union County Freeholder Chairman Carter’s initiatives for 2013.

Residents with questions about the gun buyback program can call the Attorney General’s Citizen Services unit at (609) 984-5828 or visit www.nj.gov/guns.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal announces that summer lifeguard positions are available at Union County’s two public swimming pools, Ulrich Pool in Rahway and Wheeler Pool in Linden. Applicants must have current lifeguard certification. Starting pay is $10 per hour, up to 30 hours per week. Please call 908-298-7849 for more information about the lifeguard positions.

The Walter E. Ulrich Memorial Pool is located in Rahway River Park, St. George’s Avenue in Rahway. The John Russell Wheeler Memorial Pool is located in Wheeler Park, West Stimpson Avenue and Route 1 in Linden.

Swimming lessons will be held at Ulrich Pool beginning Monday, July 1. Applications are available at either pool office for all ages, beginners through adults. Pre-registration is required. Register early; classes are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Open Swim Sessions for Seniors (62 and older) and for People with Disabilities are held at Ulrich Pool on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. and at Wheeler Pool on Wednesdays from 12 noon-1:00 p.m. Admission to these special sessions is free.

The Ulrich and Wheeler pools are a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information about special programs, discount cards, group swim lessons, directions or other questions, visit the website: www.ucnj.org/pools or call the Ulrich Pool (732-382-9457) or the Wheeler Pool (908-862-0977) for recorded information.

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Union County, NJ –The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently announced the launch of a new prescription drug discount program designed to help reduce prescription drug costs. The program, run in conjunction with ProAct- a subsidiary of Kinney Drugs, operates through the use of a discount card that will be mailed to Union County households later this week.

“This is a great program that the Freeholder Board is happy to support,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter, “ In these trying economic times we recognize that any type of financial savings are beneficial to our residents.”

The discount program may help reduce prescription drug costs for residents who do not have a prescription drug plan and for residents who take prescription medicine that is not covered by their current insurance. For senior citizens, the program can help defray costs related to the Medicare prescription coverage gap in which Medicare recipients are required to pay 100 percent of their prescription drug costs.

There are no enrollment forms to fill out, no membership fees, and no age or income requirements. There is no cost to Union County or participating residents. The cards are completely anonymous and one card can be used by an entire family.

Participants simply present the card when they are filling a prescription and they will automatically receive savings. The discount program covers all prescription medications, brand or generic. The program even covers prescription pet medications that can be filled at a regular retail pharmacy.

On average, participants can expect to save 10 to 20 percent on brand drugs and 20 to 70 percent on generic drugs. The prescription discount card can be used at any participating pharmacy in Union County and at over 55,000 pharmacies nationwide.

The cards cannot be used in conjunction with any other type of insurance, to reduce co-pays or with other discount programs.

For more information on the program or where to obtain additional cards, please contact Union County’s Department of Human Services at 908-527-4808.

ProAct is a subsidiary of Kinney Drugs, a healthcare company headquartered in Gouverneur, N.Y. The ProAct discounts are made possible through negotiated rates with participating locations.  For a list of participating pharmacies, contact ProAct at 877-776-2285 or visit www.NJRxDiscountCard.com.

Cards are being mailed to all households in Union County. Additional cards are available at County offices and by clicking here.

Union County Freeholder Dan Sullivan (center) with veteran Finance Department employees, l. Frank Padusniak, Comptroller, and r. Joseph Bowe, Director of the Division of the Treasurer, celebrating their planned retirements later this year.

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2013 Teen Arts Touring Exhibit is on display at the Union Center National Bank, located at 2003 Morris Avenue in Union. It will be on display through July 8th during regular bank hours.

The exhibit consists of 55 pieces of art selected from more than 650 visual art works shown at the 2013 Union County Teen Arts Festival held in March at Union County College. The annual event is administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

“The artwork in this exhibit is exceptional.  The fact that the artists are teenagers makes the show even more outstanding,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

For information about the Teen Arts program contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

2013 TEEN ARTS EXHIBIT – The exhibiting students are:

Berkeley Heights
Columbia Middle School
Alice Gao
Governor Livingston High School
Michael Horwath

Clark
Mother Seton RHS
Nathalia Palacios

Elizabeth
Abraham Lincoln School
Evelyn Huiloti
Benedictine Academy
Angie Mery
Charles Hudson School
Isidra Alvarado Vasques
Dr. Orlando Edreira School
Jezebel Jimenez
Elizabeth HS – Dwyer House
Jefferson Torres
Elizabeth HS – Edison House
Robert McCall
Elizabeth HS – Hamilton Academy
Evelyn Lopez
Elizabeth HS – Jefferson House
Chrysthel Jean-Louis
David Simancas
Cindy Montalvo
Elizabeth HS – Lower Academy
Yilian Borroto
Elizabeth HS – Upper Academy
Nicole Capelo
Sung Soon DeSouza
Elmora School
Jayline Rodriguez
Louveture-Lafayette School
Katuiska Zuniga
Mabel G. Holmes School
Santiago Hoyos
Nicholas M. Butler School
Ramon Rivera
Nicholas S. LaCorte School
Oscar Heredia
T.C. Reilly School
Eqequiel Carvalo
William F. Halloran School
Harmonie Garcia
Woodrow Wilson School
Irene Negron

Hillside
Hillside HS
Kameron Kee
Walter O. Krumbiegel MS
Samantha Felipe

Kenilworth
David Brearley HS
Erick Soriano
Melissa Dudukvich

Linden
Linden HS
Adrianna Rendon
Kylie Vorob
McManus MS
Kara Depczynski
Soehl MS
Nicholas Francisco

Mountainside
Deerfield MS
Isabella DiCosmo

New Providence
New Providence HS
Adrienne Cirotti
Christie Shaw
New Providence MS
Licheng Yang

Plainfield
Cook School
Fritz Mersola
Plainfield Academy of Arts
Sebastian Nunez
Gabrielle Lugbauer
Plainfield HS
Erika Jackson
Union County TEAMS Charter School
Gabrielle Labady
Stephany Vargas

Roselle
Abraham Clark HS
Zulis Linares
Ti-Reece Vaughn
Grace Wilday Jr. HS
Agape DeLeon

Scotch Plains
Union County Vo-Tech HS
Bre’on Johnson
Austin McCaffrey

Summit
Oratory Preparatory School
Alex McDonald

Union
Union HS
Wislet Dazime
Armando Flores

Westfield
Hillcrest Academy South
Kadeem Venus
Lamberts Mill Academy
Genesis Malacara

Winfield
Winfield School
Corey Hallari

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L), Vernell Wright and Mohamed Jalloh (R) present a resolution to Union Police Sgt. Robert J. Christie commending him and the Union Township Police Department for their commitment to the disabled residents through their support of a campaign to prevent unlawful parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. They are joined by Charles Newman from the Union County Office for the Disabled.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)