Category: Public Info

ELIZABETH, NJ – The conclusion of the American Civil War will be the subject of a special lecture by Dr. Jonathan Lurie of Rutgers University on Wednesday, April 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. Sponsored by the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, the free afternoon event entitled “The Ongoing Relevance of the Civil War: Ambiguity and Ambivalence” is open to the public and includes exhibits about the Civil War and a special display case focusing on President Abraham Lincoln.

“As we commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, we are honored to have Dr. Jonathan Lurie speak here about the legacy of the conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairwoman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about the Civil War, the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

Dr. Lurie is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of History at Rutgers University (Newark), where he was a Professor of History and Law from 1985 to 2009. During his career at Rutgers, Dr. Lurie also was a Visiting Fellow in Law and History at Harvard Law School; an Historian and Archivist to the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; and a Visiting Professor of Law at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The lecture by Dr. Lurie will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, at 2 p.m. Musicians from the Continuo Arts Foundation will perform songs from the Civil War era. To reserve a seat, please call 908-527-4999.

The Civil War Exhibition is on display until May in the rotunda of the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street in historic midtown Elizabeth. The exhibit may be viewed weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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Union County, NJ — Since 2002, employees of the County of Union and family members have participated in a unique program that gives them the opportunity to display their artistic creations. In its ongoing effort to recognize and encourage creative and artistic accomplishment, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in partnership with The National Arts Program®, is pleased to announce the thirteenth annual exhibition of artwork by County of Union workers and their families.

“What a pleasure it is to see the outstanding artwork done by Union County employees and family members,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “Whether they are new artists or people who have exhibited before, the participants display a wide variety of work that always impresses with its quality.”

Entries will be accepted in the categories of painting, photography, artworks on paper, sculpture and crafts. Recognized artists and art professionals will serve as judges, selecting entrants for cash awards and honorable mention in the exhibition’s five artistic classifications: amateur (little or no experience); intermediate (some experience, art students); professional (serious art training or employed in an art related job); teens 13 to 18 years old; and youth age 12 and younger.

“We are happy to extend the invitation to enter the show to Union County program volunteers, retired Union County employees, and their families,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “We share the goal of The National Arts Program® to reach as many people as possible of all ages, offering them a chance to display their artistic talents in a public exhibition.”

In the adult classifications, each first-place winner will receive $300; second place will receive $200 each; and third place; $100 each. There is one $300 prize for Best in Show. In each youth classification, $75 will go to first-place winners; $50 to second place; and $25 to third place. The prizes are provided by The National Arts Program®.

With 82 exhibitions held within 38 states, The National Arts Program® displays around 15,000 pieces of visual art each year, demonstrating to the general public a human dimension of employees previously hidden, making it a vital part of the local cultural community. The National Arts Program® allows artists to upload their artwork, free of charge, to their online Interactive Gallery. To learn more about the program and see photos from past exhibits, or for Union County employees to register online, please visit http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/venues/union-county. Early registration is encouraged.

Registration for the art exhibit is required by April 16. To request a registration form and further information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550 or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org . NJ relay users call 711. For more information about programs and activities of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit their web site: https://ucnj.org/cultural .

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Union County, NJ – Educators and afterschool program staff have a chance to learn hands on activities that give students real-life experience with engineering and scientific exploration. It’s all part of the Design It! Explore It! workshop series offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program.

These professional development workshops provide everything educators need to introduce the activities to an afterschool program for students in grades 2-8. Ongoing support from Rutgers 4-H is also included.

“No matter where their career takes them, students with a good STEM background develop valuable life skills including observation and science-based inquiry,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “Reinforcing those skills in a relaxed, informal setting is a good addition to an educator’s toolkit.”

Design It! and Explore It! help students engage with science and technology topics through fun, hands-on projects including gliders, straw rockets, and cake chemistry.

The programs were created by Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development and the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition, which have also partnered to introduce the two programs to educators throughout New Jersey.

Registration closes on June 12. To reserve a place, visit the Extension at Rutgers University, nj4h.rutgers.edu/educators. Questions may be directed to Chad Ripberger at Rutgers 4-H,  ripberger@rce.rutgers.edu. 

In Union County, the Rutgers Co-operative Extension provides many learning and volunteer opportunities for children and adults, including 4-H Clubs for students in grades 1-12, and the Master Gardener and Master Tree Stewards community service programs. For more information about programs in Union County visit ucnj.org/rce or call the Extension offices in Westfield, 908-654-9854.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – High schools throughout Union County have banded together to help students in need, by collecting and distributing donated school supplies. The campaign, called “Donate to Educate” – Schools Supplying Schools, was created by a group of high school students in the second annual UC STEP summit, held last year.

UC STEP (the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program) is a daylong summit that brings high school sophomores and juniors together from all walks of life, to practice leadership skills and develop civic projects that engage the whole Union County community.

“In the first annual UC STEP our students set a high bar, and I’d like to thank this year’s participants for coming through with another worthy project,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh.

Throughout the spring, students at participating high schools will be hard at work, organizing activities to publicize Donate to Educate, and encourage donations. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County are also partnering in the campaign.

Along with school supplies, financial donations are part of the campaign. The students will be selling Donate to Educate stylus pens, ear buds, and wristbands to help raise funds to purchase school supplies.

“UC STEP provides a way for young people from different parts of Union County to work together as a team, and pull the whole community together with them,” said Freeholder Linda Carter, who developed UC STEP as Chairman in 2013. “It is a tremendous learning opportunity for the students and for all of us.”

The high schools participating so far are: Academy for Performing Arts, Academy for Allied Health Sciences (both part of the UC Vo-Tech school district), Arthur L. Johnson, Barack Obama Green Charter, Cranford, Governor Livingston, Jonathon Dayton, Linden, Plainfield, Roselle Catholic, Summit, UC TEAMS, Union, and Union Catholic.

Each school has a drop-off box for Donate to Educate donations. Drop-off boxes are also located at the County Administration Building and other locations throughout the county.

To find the drop-off box closest to you, visit the interactive map at ucnj2.org/uc-step.

To participate as a high school or business, or to make a financial donation please contact UC-STEP by email at ucstep@ucnj.org or call Deana Mesaros, 908-659-7412. More information about UC-STEP is available at ucnj2.org.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ — (From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski speak with artist Katie Gallagher from Cranford High School during the Union County Teen Arts Festival at Union County College in Cranford. The Union County Teen Arts Festival is an annual two-day celebration of the arts sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation. The event is open to all students from public, charter, private and parochial middle and high schools in Union County. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ –Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen (R) and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (L) joined U.S. Senator Robert Menendez at a press conference in Garwood where he unveiled new legislation designed to stimulate the growth of good, sustainable jobs by highlighting businesses that both make American-made products and support American workers and incentivizing others to follow their lead. The Senator toured the Pen Company of America (PCA) in Garwood where he was joined by local elected officials, business owners and advocates when he announced his plans to introduce the America Star Act. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce Bergen (3^rd L) and Freeholder Vernell Wright (4^th L) joined Springfield Mayor David Barnett and town officials in cutting the ribbon opening the Raymond Chisholm Community Youth Wing in Springfield. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County – Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series brings the adventures of the Berenstain Bears to life on stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway on Sunday, March 29 at 2 PM.

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 offer a relaxed and safe theatre environment for children and adults with sensory sensitivity, developmental and learning disabilities,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The Freeholder board is proud to offer a performance series that helps make art accessible to everyone.”

Adapted from the classic children’s book series by Stan and Jan Berenstain, The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters, the Musical brings everyone’s favorite bear family to life in a thrilling theatrical experience that the entire family will enjoy.

As always, Bear Country is not without its complications: Brother Bear’s grades are slipping, Sister Bear still has a few things to learn about making new friends, and Papa Bear just can’t stop eating junk food. Thankfully, we can always depend on Mama Bear and her loving patience to help set things right.

Implementing the supportive atmosphere at the performance is the organization Autism Friendly Spaces, which provides specialists to train staff and volunteers on working with children with autism and other special needs during Sensory Friendly Theatre performances, while providing comfort and help to families.

For each of the special 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. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org.

The Sensory Friendly Theatre series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The performance of The Berenstain Bears LIVE! in Family Matters, the Musical is made possible in part by funding from the NJ Department of Community Affairs through a Recreational Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities Grant.

The next performance in the Sensory Friendly Theatre series is New Jersey Ballet’s performance of the classic tale of Cinderella on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 3 PM – come see why this story is one of their most popular ballets for families. In June don’t miss a rollicking family concert featuring a two-time Grammy nominees Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could performing songs that celebrate children of all abilities on Sunday, July 31 at 10 AM and 1PM.

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 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8 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 908-527-4806 or visit ucnj.org.

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Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.