Family Fun & Flix, a free summer entertainment and film series presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and sponsored this year by Investors Bank, kicks off another season at Warinanco Park on Tuesday evening, July 11. The feature film will be Finding Dory. The movie will begin at dusk.

Before each movie this summer UC Get Fit Kids activities will be offered. The Freeholder initiative offers a great way to keep kids active and healthy during the summer months. UC Get Fit Kids will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Finding Dory is an animated family drama about the friendly, but forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, and her search for her long-lost parents. Along the way everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family. The film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks and Ed O’Neill.

“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 Bruce H. Bergen.

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

• Tuesday, July 11 at Warinanco Park: Finding Dory
• Tuesday, July 18 at Warinanco Park: Storks
• Tuesday, July 25 at Warinanco Park: Sing
• Tuesday, August 1 at Meisel Park, Springfield (National Night Out): Secret Life of Pets
• Tuesday, August 8 at Warinanco Park: Moana

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.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Wednesday evening, July 12 featuring Tusk, featuring the great hits of Fleetwood Mac. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The five seasoned, well-respected musicians comprising Tusk have been making music together in various combinations and styles, in original outfits and in cover bands, for over twenty-five years. They come together to pay homage to a group that dominated the charts during the band members’ formative years.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man. 

As always the Union County Get Fit Yoga program will precede the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on July 12 will be Yoga Essence of New Providence.

“As the summer continues to heat up we hope everyone will find some time to join their neighbors and friends at one of our concerts on Wednesday evenings” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We hope to see everyone out in the park, enjoying an evening of music.”

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series is presented every Wednesday night throughout July in Echo Lake Park and then in August at Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

• July 12th Tusk (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
• July 19th The Vinny’s
• July 26th Hudson River Rats

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 2nd Dead Space (The Grateful Dead Experience
• August 9th American Rapture
• August 16th Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute
• August 23th New York State of Mind (Tribute to Billy Joel)

Please be advised that Chatham Rd from River Rd to Morris County Line in Summit will be under construction on or about Thursday, July 13 2017. It is anticipated that the work will take approximately 2 nights to complete, weather permitting. Affected residents and businesses should be aware that there may be mobilization and prep work on the part of the contractor about a week or two in advance of the actual start day. This activity should have little or no impact on local traffic.

The work being performed will consist of various road improvements, such as milling, paving, and striping of the road. Due to the nature of the work involved, the amount of men and machinery required, full road closure will be necessary in the area of work to optimize the safety of the work crews and motoring public alike. The road will be closed overnight from approximately 7:00 PM until 6:00 AM the following morning.

A clearly marked detour route will be established and maintained by County forces. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through at all times. Access to residences, including deliveries and other services, will be allowed as much as possible. Please note that parking will be prohibited on Chatham Rd within the work zone during the operation of milling and paving. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

The County recognizes the inconvenience that any road construction may cause and apologizes for any difficulties encountered. The County shall make every effort to have the work completed as soon as possible.

Should you have any traffic questions, please call our Traffic Bureau at (908) 789-6011 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If any emergencies should arise, please contact your Municipal Police Department.

Learn more about upcoming construction and road projects at www.ucnj.org/traffic.

NJ TRANSIT to Restore Full Rail Service to/from PSNY Effective Tuesday, September 5, 2017

M&E Midtown DIRECT trains resume; Regular Fares in effect

Effective Tuesday, September 5, NJ TRANSIT plans to restore full rail service to and from Penn Station New York (PSNY) following the conclusion of Phase One of Amtrak’s track renewal project. All Morris & Essex Lines (M&E) Midtown Direct trains will resume service to and from PSNY and will no longer be diverted to Hoboken. North Jersey Coast Line trains will resume operating into Hoboken Terminal.

With the anticipated resumption of full service at PSNY, NJ TRANSIT’s alternate travel options, discounted fares and cross-honoring will conclude. Morning peak-period express buses from Morristown, Madison, Summit, Maplewood, South Orange and Newark Broad Street to the Port Authority Bus Terminal will no longer operate. Cross-honoring with private bus carriers, PATH and NY Waterway will end on Saturday, September 2nd at 3 a.m.

New NJ TRANSIT weekday rail schedules will take effect Tuesday, September 5th, following a two-month modified service plan that enabled Amtrak to complete a series of major infrastructure projects aimed at improving reliability and safety at PSNY. All NJ TRANSIT rail customers are strongly advised to check the new schedules for specific departure times and station stops (click here).

NY Waterway’s new ferry service between Hoboken and West 39th Street in New York will continue to operate after full service is restored at PSNY and be available to the general public. It is important to note that the ferry service between Hoboken and West 39th Street will no longer cross-honor NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes after Friday, September 1st.

As a reminder, all fare discounts, substitute and enhanced bus services, as well as cross-honoring on bus, rail, light rail, PATH and NY Waterway ferry services in effect during the modified schedule between July 10 and September 1 is expected to end at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2nd. Additionally, new weekday rail schedules are expected to take effect Tuesday, September 5th.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved a resolution signing the County on to the “We Are Still In” campaign in support of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The unanimous vote, which took place during the June 22 regular public meeting of the Freeholder Board, makes Union County the first county in New Jersey to join the campaign and one of only a handful nationwide.

“Many municipal governments and leading corporate citizens in Union County have adopted policies that help transition our economy to a more sustainable and healthful model,” said Chairman Bergen. “By joining the We Are Still In campaign the Freeholder Board affirms that County government supports their efforts. The Freeholder Board will also continue seeking ways to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability programs at the County level.”

The Paris Agreement is a voluntary international pact aimed at limiting global warming to less than two degrees Centigrade above pre-industrial levels, with the goal of preventing the catastrophic effects of climate change. Each nation determines its own strategy for attaining that goal.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to stand with the more than 1,200 governments, businesses and academic institutions that have formally pledged to continue supporting the Paris Agreement by signing on to the We Are Still In campaign,” said Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. “Taking action on climate change is a civic responsibility and a moral imperative in terms of the quality of life we bequeath to the next generation of County residents.” 

The Paris Agreement launched in 2015 with the participation of every nation except Syria and Nicaragua. On June 1, 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw its participation.

The We Are Still In campaign was initiated by former New York City Mayor and business leader Michael Bloomberg to provide local and state governments, businesses and other non-federal entities with a platform for supporting the Paris Agreement.

“Union County has an incalculable stake in the success of the Paris Agreement,” explained Bergen. “As vividly demonstrated by hurricanes Sandy and Irene, we are especially vulnerable to the impacts of global warming due to our location in a coastal state, our role as a transportation hub and major seaport, and our history of inland flood issues.”

Supporting the Agreement is the latest in a series of proactive steps that Union County has taken to help preserve and protect the environment.

Examples over the past 20 years include expanded recycling programs, new education and public outreach initiatives, tree canopy enhancement including financial assistance for municipal treescapes, green purchasing policies that include cleaner vehicles, solar installations, LEED building standards, energy efficiency upgrades and new community and school garden initiatives that promote an appreciation for the health of the environment.

“Almost 100 years ago, Union County placed itself in the vanguard of counties working to preserve land for nature conservation and public recreation, and we established one of the first county-based public park systems in the nation,” said Bergen. “We honor that legacy by stepping up to lead the way on county-based engagement with climate action.”

For quick links to Union County environmental programs and activities for the public visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series continues at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Wednesday evening, July 5 featuring Pat Dinizio of the Smithereens. Show is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Pat Dinizio is a Scotch Plains resident and founder, principal songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the platinum recording artist, The Smithereens. The group racked up gold and platinum records, performed on top rated television programs including The Tonight Show, MTV Unplugged, and Saturday Night Live. They also performed on stages all over the world.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man.  

And returning this summer at all festival concerts will be the popular Union County Get Fit Yoga program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on July 5 will be House Yoga of Kenilworth, New Jersey.

“We hope everyone will set aside their Wednesday evenings and join us for our 57^th year of musical concerts in our parks,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We encourage our residents to enjoy the music under the stars and our great variety of musical selections throughout the summer months.”

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series will run every Wednesday night throughout July in Echo Lake and then in August at Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

Echo Lake Park, Mountainside

• July 5th Pat Dinizio of The Smithereens
• July 12th Tusk (Fleetwood Mac Tribute)
• July 19th The Vinny’s
• July 26th Hudson River Rats

Oak Ridge Park, Clark

• August 2nd Dead Space (The Grateful Dead Experience
• August 9th American Rapture
• August 16th Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute
• August 23th New York State of Mind (Tribute to Billy Joel)

The NJ Turnpike southbound exit to Interchange 13 – Goethals Bridge/Elizabeth – and the southbound outer roadway (the truck lanes) will be closed for two nights to allow for the demolition of the original Goethals Bridge over the NJ Turnpike.

The closure will only affect southbound NJ Turnpike traffic.  Northbound NJ Turnpike traffic and local traffic destined for the Goethals Bridge will not be affected.

Traffic on the Goethals Bridge itself will not be affected. The dates and times of the closures are: Wednesday June 28 – 9:00 PM-5:00 AM, Thursday June 29 – 9:00 PM-5:00 AM.

Signed detour routes will be provided to Interchange 12.