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.

Union County, NJ — Union County residents seeking information about services for senior adults age 60 and above can visit five locations in July to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services Division on Aging, through the County’s Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) program.

Staff will be present at public libraries in Clark, Fanwood, Linden, Union, and Elizabeth.

“ASK helps Union County residents access programs and services for seniors and their caregivers,” said Bruce H. Bergen, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “The ASK program brings our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff to locations throughout Union County, making it more convenient to meet with them in person.” 

Through the ASK community outreach effort, staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection travels to different locations providing information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and support services for caregivers.

The ASK program also includes assistance with completing applications and forms.

The July 2017 dates and locations are:

 

Wednesday, July 5

Linden Public Library

31 E. Henry Street

Linden, 07036

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Monday, July 10

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, 07066

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Wednesday, July 19

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, 07023

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Tuesday, July 25

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

 

Wednesday, July 26

Elizabeth Public Library

11 South Broad Street

Elizabeth, 07202

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.

The goal of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity, and choice for seniors and their families. ADRC is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

“The Aging and Disability Resource Connection model is an initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012,” said Bergen. “It is designed to improve services for seniors and the disabled, and help them remain in their homes and communities.”

For more information about the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call 888-280-8226 toll free, or call 908-527-4870 or 908-527-4858, or visit the Union County website at ucnj.org.

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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 Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce the third annual Shakespeare in the Park tour featuring three free performances of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy The Taming of the Shrew at three Union County parks this summer during July and August.

“This summer’s tour of Shakespeare’s classic romantic-comedy The Taming of the Shrew in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most remarkable storyteller the world has ever known,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Featuring the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble, The Taming of the Shrew is a zesty version of Shakespeare’s classic comedy complete with bawdy humor. It’s too fun to miss.

The summer tour of the outrageously fun comedy kicks off at the Shakespeare Garden at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Sunday, July 16 at 1 p.m.

Additional performances include:
Sunday, July 23 at Raymond Wood Bauer Promenade (amphitheater) in Linden at 7 p.m.
Friday, August 4 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside at 7 p.m.

Admission is free to each of the three performances.

Pack a picnic and bring a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to Union County parks to enjoy The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Ensemble’s abridged performance of the time-honored romantic comedy of male chauvinism and women’s rights in the 16th century. Petruchio, a poverty-stricken gentleman from Verona, journeys to Padua in search of a wealthy wife. There, he encounters the fiery Katharina, a self-willed shrew who leads Petruchio on a merry chase before he successfully circumvents her attempts to avoid marriage. Their honeymoon becomes a humorous battle of wit and insult with Kate as determined to maintain her independence as Petruchio is to “tame” her.

The Next Stage Ensemble, the Shakespeare Theatre’s summer touring company of early career actors, is part of the Theatre’s Summer Professional Training Program which offers students working toward a career in the performing arts clear instruction, individual attention, and thoughtful and candid evaluation in a professional theatre environment. The Next Stage Ensemble works with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s resident and guest directors to fully develop abridged productions of classic plays. The troupe tours to various locations throughout the state – including libraries, retirement homes and community centers.

Now in its 54^th season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey’s largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare’s canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

For more information or for a complete listing of summer events visit ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free training course is available for persons interested in becoming Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates (CSVAs) for victims of sexual violence.

The Union County Rape Crisis Center (RCC) will offer a free training program for volunteer Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates.  Training sessions begin Tuesday, August 15th and conclude Thursday, September 28th.  Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the RCC office in Westfield located within the Colleen Fraser county services building, 300 North Avenue East.

“Volunteer advocates help guide victims through legal and medical systems while providing emotional support, respecting the strict confidentiality of each case”, said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.  “CSVA volunteers serve Union County residents during a physical and emotional crisis and we are grateful for their dedication to helping victims through a traumatic experience.”

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age.  They must hold a valid driver’s license and have their own vehicle. Prior to training, each volunteer must come to the Rape Crisis Center for an informal interview. Volunteers must also attend all training sessions.

For further information about volunteering, and to schedule an interview, call the Union County Rape Crisis Center at 908-233-7273.  In addition, information may be obtained from the Rape Crisis Center’s blog, unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

The Rape Crisis Center is part of the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, and has been serving Union County residents since 1984.