Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Freeholders encourages residents to attend two informational meetings in Cranford and Rahway hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Rahway River Flood Risk Management Study.

The meetings are part of a 45-day public comment period for the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (DIFR) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rahway River Flood Risk Management Study, from December 9, 2016 to January 23, 2017.

“The Freeholder Board strongly supports this flood control project, which has been many years in development,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “These two meetings provide an excellent opportunity to stay informed about this significant addition to our regional infrastructure.”

“Our colleagues on the Freeholder Board, our local officials on the Mayors Council Rahway River Watershed Flood Control, and our state and federal legislators are to be commended for working diligently to ensure that the planning process keeps moving forward,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “I encourage members of the public to register their views by attending the upcoming meetings, and by submitting comments online before the January 23 deadline.”

Residents may attend either or both of the two meetings, at the following locations:

Wednesday, January 11, Roy Smith Theater at the Union County College Cranford Campus, 1033 Springfield Avenue.

Thursday, January 12, Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza.

Both meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and conclude at 9:00. They will include formal presentations and information exchange sessions.

The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and EIS, and instructions for submitting comments are available online from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at nan.usace.army.mil/Rahway.

General questions regarding the Rahway River Basin Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study can be directed to Ms. Rifat Salim, Project Manager, Rifat.Salim@usace.army.mil, 917-790-8215.

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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.

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Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza.

Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series explores the wonders of science in the dynamic and uniquely funny live performance of Bubble Trouble on stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Available now, all tickets are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center at ucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to present the sensory-friendly performance series, designed to increase access to the arts for children and adults with sensory sensitivities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Bring the entire family to experience this uniquely interactive sensory-friendly performance where the audience participates in the creation of art.”

A bubble volcano. Bubble roller coaster. A kid in a bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, he engages and delights audiences of all ages. A hit at performing arts centers, festivals…anywhere there’s air.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Mary Kooi of Summit 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 “County Clare to Cuenca” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through March 31. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Kooi’s beautiful landscape paintings.”

Mary is originally from the Chicago area, and transplanted to Summit in 2000.  She works in textile and furniture as an outside sales representative at Thibaut/Duralee in the D&D building in NYC servicing the interior design community.

Mary has been a student of art most of her life, minoring in Art at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana, and earning a BFA in Textiles from the Art Institute of Chicago.  Mary continues her studies under the instruction of Valeri Larko at the New Jersey Center for Visual Arts in Summit.  Mary has had the opportunity to travel to Monhegan Island, Maine, Maryland, the Cape, Delaware, Ireland, Italy and Spain with fellow artists to find inspiration for canvases like those displayed in this exhibit.

Mary’s painting reflects her love of light and color, particularly as reflected in outdoor scenes. Her work has been exhibited extensively in one-woman and group shows including: the Papermill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ; Edward Hopper House, Member’s Show, Nyack, NY; the Springfield, New Providence, Summit and Bernardsville Libraries; Visual Art Center of NJ, Summit; and other 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.