Category: Public Info

Union County – Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series welcomes the winter season with the adventures ofFrosty. Inspired by the beloved holiday song “Frosty the Snowman,” this new musical will come to the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway this Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 pm.

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

“The sensory-friendly performances are designed help families with sensory, social, and learning disabilities to experience the performing arts in a safe, judgment-free environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The Freeholder Board is proud to continue supporting this series.”

In this exciting winter tale, a young orphan named Billy discovers magic in a stolen hat. When he places the hat on a snowman’s head, the snowman comes to life! But can Frosty the Snowman help Billy find his family in time for Christmas? Join Billy and Frosty as they embark on a New York City adventure filled with thrills and chills, and the discovery that the real magic of the holidays is love. The show is filled with songs and dances that you’ll remember long after you leave the theatre!

The Sensory Friendly Theatre series, presented by the Freeholder Board, began in 2012 as an initiative of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. It is designed according to guidelines that help reduce disturbances for individuals who experience heightened sensory sensitivity.

Implementing the supportive atmosphere 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 Performing Arts Center 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 supported by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Kids Recreation Trust Fund. The performance of Frosty 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 the prehistoric adventures of puppeteer Jim West’s DINOSAURS! on January 11.

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 Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.

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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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Trailside will offer “Project WET,” a teacher-training workshop for adults, ages 18 and older, on Thursday December 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

“Trailside’s popular teacher-training Project WET workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn innovative ways to bring awareness and understanding of our environment and aquatic resources to students,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

In today’s society, water is often taken for granted. This workshop will provide the necessary tools, resources and lessons for teachers to utilize in the classroom to teach our future leaders about the importance of water in everyday life. Formal and informal educators are invited to join a certified Project WET facilitator for a day of interactive, educational and hands-on activities focusing on water as a valuable resource.

Participants will work cooperatively to discover the properties of water while earning six NJDOE teaching credits. Each person will receive a Project WET curriculum and activity guide with more than 90 interdisciplinary activities and lessons, teacher-tested and classroom-ready for K-12 students. Lessons are correlated to New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. New Jersey Project WET is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Watershed Management Division and the New Jersey Audubon Society.

Pre-registration is required for this workshop. Space is limited. Walk-ins will be welcomed as space permits. The fee is $20 per person. Light refreshments will be served during morning registration. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch.

For information about the Project WET teacher-training workshop or upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for a complete fall brochure. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak (3^rd L) and Freeholders Linda Carter and Angel G. Estrada (R) present resolutions to Frank Porter (C) of the Morning Star Community Christian Center in Linden and Pastor Paul Dean (3^rd R) of the Visions of God Family Worship Church in Plainfield thanking them for their participation and efforts in assisting in the success of the County of Union’s Gun Buyback/Gun Amnesty program that was held on October 25. They are joined by Union County First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Isenhour (L) and Union County Police Chief Dan Vaniska.

More than 480 guns were collected at the two locations during the 8-hour event. The program was a joint effort by the churches, the Union County Freeholder Board, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Police Department, Plainfield Police Division and Linden Police Department.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to offer a free 2015 wall calendar that commemorates the 150^th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War with photographs of local monuments and Civil War memorabilia. The calendar includes important dates and deadlines of concern to voters and candidates for office in the 2015 state, county, municipal and school board elections.

“This coming year will be the 150^th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Civil War in the United States,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It is my hope that this 2015 wall calendar, with its glimpses into our past, will encourage people to remember the dedication and sacrifices of Union County residents during the war and the effect the 1861-1865 conflict had on the families and communities throughout Union County.”

The November 3^rd General Election in 2015 will include elections for the State Legislature, county, municipal and school board offices. The calendar highlights many important dates relating to voter registration, Vote-By-Mail ballots, candidate petition deadlines, primary elections, campaign finance reports, and general election ballot deadlines.

To obtain one of the free 2015 Election Year calendars, visit the Union County Clerk’s web site: www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk where you’ll find an order form. For general information about elections, please contact the County Clerk’s Election Office at 908-527-4996.

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Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados (2^nd L), Bette Jane Kowalski (3^rd L) and Vernell Wright (R) joined Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (4^th L) in thanking those who read at “Letters from the Front,” a memorial ceremony honoring Civil War veterans. The event was hosted by the Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The readers are (from left) poet Tom Plante, Janice Blank, Army veteran Vincent DeTrolio, Navy veteran Lester Sargent, Henry Bassman, commander of American Legion Lindsey-Street Post 322 in Summit, and Berley Hanna Jr., past-commander of American Legion Post 499 in Rahway. Janice Blank and County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, who is also the chairwoman of the committee, both read letters written by their relatives.

The County’s Civil War Exhibition is on display until 2015 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.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) presents a resolution to Veronica Kane of Plainfield wishing her a happy 100^th birthday during a party marking her special and noteworthy occasion at Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights. They are joined by Veronica’s daughter, Marilyn Bradley (C). (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Courtney Dreyfus (2^nd L) of Scotch Plains congratulating her on placing Silver in the Triathlon at the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and on her selection to represent Team USA in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County – RENT, the musical that changed Broadway forever is now playing on the Mainstage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. Presented by Mystic Vision Players in partnership with the Union County Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the final two performances are this weekend Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15. Tickets are just $15 and can be purchased online atwww.ucpac.org or call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226.

“The overwhelming response to this production is proof that the arts have a place in Union County – not only recreationally, but as a powerful source of economic development,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “We hope to be able to continue to find creative ways to showcase all of the talent we have within our boundaries.”

Last weekend’s performances were a smash hit – and the audience is raving!

“Just saw RENT. With this talent and beautiful Theatre… who needs Broadway!” Madeleine V.

“The performance was amazing. Just might come again before it ends.” Felice T.

“I was among the audience last Sat evening. Kudos to the brilliant case, crew, director, lighting/sound engineers. Rent was spectacular. Bravo!!” Anthony N. Jr.

Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the TONY Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences across the country.

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

Directed by Howard Whitmore with choreography by Melanie Jefferson and musical direction by David Maglione, Mystic Vision Players’ production stars Jason Gillis as Mark Cohen, Jason Pumarada as Roger Davis, Nikki Ashe as Mimi Marquez, Lyle Dungee as Benny Coffin III, Natasha Kurilew as Maureen Johnson, Jaime Marcinczyk as Joanne Jefferson, Kayson Luis Burgos as Tom Collins, and Michael Miguel as Angel Schunard. Supporting cast includes Jenna Cormey, Kyle C. Garcia, Nicholas Mellina, Wendy Temple, Steven Collins, Kimberly Siggins, Devin J. Hall, Shiva Kiani, Shauna Cutrone, Tyrone Howard, and Bobby Devarona.

Don’t miss your chance to hear the songs that have touched our hearts, and watch the musical that defined a generation – final performances are this Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15.

To purchase tickets for this exclusive Union County production, visit www.ucpac.org, or contact the UCPAC’s box office at 732-499-8226.

Presented by Mystic Vision Players in partnership with the Union County Arts Center, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this production of RENT is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Mystic Vision Players is a non-profit theatre company based in Linden, NJ dedicated to the growth and showcasing of all types of performing arts. In 1995, MVP became the resident theatre company of the Linden Cultural & Heritage Committee and has consistently received critical & audience acclaim and nominations as “Outstanding” in areas of Choreography, Acting, Music, and Overall Productions by the NJ Association of Community Theaters.

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More than 20 people including Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados, who organized the event, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, Elizabeth Board of Education member Stan Neron and retired NY Giants stars Stephen “touchdown maker” Baker and Chris Snee, joined members of Univision Radio, Coors Light, Union County College, the County of Union and the NY Giants organization in a cleanup of Warinanco Park in Elizabeth, Roselle and Linden. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Every year, the Women of Excellence awards celebrate the diverse contributions that women make to life in Union County. If there is an exceptional woman in your business, school, or volunteer organization, you still have time to nominate her for this wonderful community recognition.

The nomination process is simple, and there is no fee. All women age 21 or older who live or work in Union County are eligible. Nominees can work or volunteer in many different fields.

Awardees will receive a certificate and will be celebrated at the 23^rd annual Women of Excellence gala awards dinner, to be held on March 20, 2015 at Galloping Hill Caterers in Union Township.

For more information about submitting a nomination, or to download a nomination form, visitucnj.org/women-of-excellence. Questions about the nomination process can be emailed tojoahara1217@gmail.com.

All nominations should be mailed to Jane O’Hara at 708 Newark Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090 and postmarked no later than December 1, 2014.

The annual Women of Excellence award is sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Commission on Human Relations.

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