The Summit City Council revised the City’s meeting room use policy after normal business hours during their public meeting and The Surrogate, James S. LaCorte has announced that in an agreement with the City of Summit he will conduct evening hours on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Summit City Hall in the small conference room on the second floor. The normally scheduled 4th Thursday of the month is no longer available.
The Surrogate would like to remind everyone that the same instructions apply. Paperwork should be submitted to his office no later than 48 hours prior to the appointment which, would include: the will, death certificate, and information sheet. If there is no will the assets of the estate should be listed separately, valued and identified with an account or identification number.
If you have any questions you may call the office at 908-527-4280 between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday – Friday.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly performance of the dynamic, highly interactive, uniquely funny and spectacular Bubble Trouble to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, January 10 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 sensory-friendly performance series is designed to create performing arts experiences that are welcoming to all families with children and adults with autism or other sensory sensitivities,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder Board is proud to help provide opportunities for children and families of all abilities to experience the wonders of science in a creative and entertaining live performance.”
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 the Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre environment at the Union County PAC will be 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.
Save the dates – mark your calendar for upcoming Sensory-Friendly Theatre series performances sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders: Sundays – March 20, 2016, May 1, 2016 and July 31, 2016.
Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series is made possible, in part, by funding from the NJ Department of Community Affairs through a Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Grant.
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.
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella presented a resolution to Summit Councilman Richard J. Madden and his wife Paula congratulating and commending him for his many years of dedicated public service. Councilman Madden finishes his time on the council this month. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Angel G. Estrada presented a resolution to Art Braunschweiger of the Union County Regional Communications Center congratulating and commending him on being honored with the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services EMS Dispatcher of the Year Award for 2015. They were joined by Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran.
On Saturday, August 22, 2015, Dispatcher Braunschweiger answered a 911 caller reporting a woman in labor. He quickly determined that the mother was in the process of delivering the baby and that it was a breech delivery, with a foot presenting first. Because it was a life-threatening situation, he provided instructions to the caller on how to deliver the baby. When police officers arrived on scene, Dispatcher Braunschweiger kept the caller on the phone so he could continue to relay instructions to the officers, as this was not a normal delivery; the baby was delivered but was not breathing. He continued to provide instructions on how to resuscitate the baby, and this was relayed to the officers. EMS transported mother and baby to a local hospital and they were released a few days later, healthy and with no complications. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
While our last birding report from Lenape Park drew nearly 2,800 viewers, no doubt, in part, because last week’s bird walk included a sighting of a Bald Eagle, this week we turn to a smaller member of the avian family for the bird of the week: the Carolina Wren.
Avid birdwatcher Frank Budney, who leads bird hikes through Lenape on a fairly regular basis, reports that while no one could catch a glimpse of the elusive bird, its call is so distinctive that the wren made its presence known.
If you’re interested in going on one of these morning walks, write to: birding@ucnj.org (This week’s photo was taken by Dan Pancamo of Houston, TX )
One more thing, whether or not you’re scouting for birds, Lenape Park marks the intersection of Union County Parks’ two major greenways, the East Coast Greenway on the western half of the park and the Frederick Law Olmsted Greenway on the western side of the park. The greenways are paved and open to walkers and cyclists…Enjoy…
Frank’s report:
Location: Lenape Park, Cranford, Union County, NJ
Day/Date: Wednesday, 16-December-15
Time: 0800 to 1000
Official Counter: Frank V. Budney
Weather: Clear Blue Sky
Temperature Range: 43º F to 48º F
Wind: Calm, WSW
Walking Route: Parking Lot to Westfield Ponds
Bright sunny morning with lots of bird activity. my favorite bird (The Bird of the Day) seemed to be calling from every corner of the forest. A Great Blue Heron was hunting in the pond at the park entrance but was not having any apparent success. A small flock of female Red-wing Blackbirds was perched high in several trees at Woodpecker Woods along with a few American Robins.
Song and White-throated Sparrow numbers seemed low and only found in the heavy brush areas around the back of the Westfield pond. The lone Pied-billed Grebe is still staking out its territory in the middle of the outside pond next to a thin branch sticking out of the pond. Apparently it doesn’t care to mix it up with the local Canada Geese.
The Bird of the Day, while not seen, could be heard echoing throughout the park by several members of its species. It was one of my all time favorite, Carolina Wren. I introduced several park walkers to its haunting melody, as described by David Allen Sibley in his field guide, “The Sibely Guide to Birds”, as a “Song of rolling chant of rich phrased, pidaro pidaro or TWEE pudo TWEE pudo TWEEP.” Now I know this verbal description is almost meaningless to the untrained ear but once you here this call in the wild it will remain with you for a long time.
Field Notes: Saturday, December 19, is the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) and members of the Friends of Lenape Park will be out and about counting numbers and species of birds for the National Audubon Society’s annual program. A special note for any of you looking for a “Life Bird” (it was for me), one has been spotted and photographed in Lenape Park and at Echo Lake. A rare sighting indeed and first time for this bird at Lenape Park. A Lesser Scaup duck has been hanging around with several Mallards for about a week and we hope it appears on Saturday to ad to our count. Scaup are normally found in bay area so it was a real treat to se one up close in our area.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it has reopened the filing period for survivors in all states affected by Superstorm Sandy on December 2, 2015 to apply for low-interest disaster loans. The new filing deadline for physical damage and economic injury losses is December 1, 2016.
“The additional time for businesses, homeowners and renters to request federal disaster loans will go a long way in continuing to support the rebuilding efforts of the communities affected by Superstorm Sandy,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “I want to thank the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Small Business Committees for their leadership on this issue. We look forward to working with them to make sure the needs of small businesses are met.”
The recently approved Recovery Improvements for Small Entities (RISE) After Disaster Act of 2015 gives the SBA Administrator the authority to make disaster loans for Superstorm Sandy for a period of one year. The bill authorizes SBA to revise the disaster deadline for major Presidential declarations for Superstorm Sandy in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Additionally, SBA will be accepting applications under its related agency declarations for North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Virginia, West Virginia and certain counties in Maryland.
SBA will open disaster centers across select counties in the affected areas and review activity levels on a continuous basis. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property
Interest rates are as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Survivors may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Additional details on the locations of recovery centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is December 1, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is December 1, 2016.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce an exhibit of nature photography by Jacki Dickert entitled, “World of Wonder” at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.
“This exhibit created by Jacki Dickert, offers a window into the spectacular world of nature, in a venue that is perfectly suited to showcase this remarkable work,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohammed S. Jalloh.
Dickert, a New Jersey native and formerly a Naturalist at Trailside, began crafting her own photographic images in 2006 after an inspirational trip to Iceland. Jacki has traveled all over the world capturing beautiful photos in places such as Alaska, Utah, Oregon and New Zealand. She has also found inspiring images in local parks and her own backyard. Her photos reveal a keen eye and talent for translating her appreciation of the natural world to captivating images on a metal slab. Using the unusual technique of dye sublimation, Dickert allows ink to be fused into aluminum. Images printed on special paper are laid on prepared metal, and heated, thereby transforming ink to gas, which bonds with the metal. The process creates photographs which are uniquely vibrant and accessible to the viewer.
For more information about this exhibit or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Freeholders Angel Estrada and Sergio Granados, both advocates of the immigrant community joined Sheriff Joe Cryan and other dignitaries at ‘Making the Road New Jersey’ celebrate their 1st anniversary and new home office in Elizabeth.
Freeholder Angel Estrada spoke words of encouragement at an anti-bullying seminar held by Le Crème, a modeling and acting school run by Patricia Pinto who led the seminar.
Union County-based non-profit community theatre organizations are invited to apply now for the 2016 Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) grant program. Pictured above, Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski visited the Vanguard Theatre Company cast of Hairspray before their first performance at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway last November. The production was sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the 2015 UCACT program.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2016 Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) grant program.
The UCACT program aims to engage the creative life of Union County by supporting enriching community theatre experiences that promote economic and social well-being.
“Community theatre is a collaborative art with important economic, cultural, and social benefits,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Through the UCACT program, the Freeholder Board is proud to provide opportunities that draw people together to participate in collaborative art experiences that enrich and engage the greater Union County community.”
The UCACT grant program continues on the footsteps of last year’s success, which included a diverse body of work including two original plays, a student production, a new community theatre organization, among others featuring the high-quality artistic talent of many Union County residents.
“Union County is home to a thriving, diverse theatre community that provides countless opportunities for enrichment and career development,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to support the arts and the efforts of our local theatre organizations to help them bring the live theatre experience to new audiences.”
The mission of the UCACT grant program is to support and encourage the performing arts in Union County. The UCACT program began in 2015 as part of Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh’s “Building a Community of the Arts” initiatives.
The UCACT program seeks to assist the artistic community in Union County by providing support that will promote high quality theatre productions, encourage new programming, set a high bar for artistic challenges, and help make live theater more accessible to all.
UCACT grants provide funding to cover the hard costs associated with putting up a production at the Union County Performing Arts Center, as well as marketing and publicity assistance for each production. Through creative partnerships and a holistic approach, the program aims to provide a strategic platform to support the development of Union County’s rich theatre talent by leveraging existing resources and broadening the definition of economic development and public recreation to include support for community theatre.
Grant applications can be downloaded online at ucnj.org/ucact. Applications are being accepted now on a rolling basis. Union County-based non-profit community theatre organizations are strongly encouraged to apply early as grants will be reviewed, announced and awarded on an ongoing basis based on funding availability. Qualifying performances must be presented between January and June 2016.
For additional information or to receive a grant application by mail, please contact Victoria Durbin Drake, Chief of Staff, Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, at 908-558-2278.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly performance of the dynamic, highly interactive, uniquely funny and spectacular Bubble Trouble to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, January 10 at 2:00 p.m.
