Category: Public Info

Elizabeth—Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella today announced the County’s fourth Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event set for Friday, October 5th, at 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse.

Speakers include Former Governor James J. Florio, Cesarina Earl, publisher of the Italian Voice,  UNICO Past National President Renato Biribin, Italian American One Voice Founder Manny Alfano, and Mike Giunta, President and founder of Bayway Catering

Freeholder Mirabella will host and emcee the event. The Courthouse is located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue. In the event of rain, the program will be moved in doors to the County Courthouse Rotunda.

“Italian Americans continue to make amazing contributions to America, and we celebrate those contributions as well as a culture that has made great contributions to modern society,” said Mirabella, whose father, Gene, was the first Italian-American Police Chief of Elizabeth, NJ.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO works to organize and co-sponsor the event.

Italian-style refreshments will be served after the event in the historic Union County Courthouse.

Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck #6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street.

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ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee invites the public to hear a special lecture by Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps about the Underground Railroad and view new displays in the Civil War Exhibition at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth on Thursday, October 11, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

“Union County is honored to have Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps speak here about the Underground Railroad in the period leading up to the Civil War as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the 1861-65 conflict,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, chairman of the committee. “We welcome visitors to the Courthouse to learn more about New Jersey’s crucial role in the movement of runaway slaves northward before the Civil War and the experiences of Union County residents during the war.”

Born and raised in Elizabeth, Dr. Epps is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and a career educator. She earned degrees from Rutgers University and Seton Hall University, and her doctorate from Drew University. A past-president of the New Jersey Historical Society, she is the current President and CEO of 1804 Consultants, an organization that works for the advancement of not-for-profit educational and cultural institutions.

The lecture by Dr. Epps will be presented in the Courtroom of the Hon. Karen M. Cassidy, Assignment Judge of the Superior Court, beginning at 2:00 p.m. To reserve a seat for the lecture, please call 908-527-4999.

The 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. The displays will change from time to time. Anyone wishing to loan historical artifacts from the Civil War era for the exhibit can contact committee member Katherine Craig at 908-282-7617. All objects will be secured, locked and acknowledged.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd R) and Freeholder Vice Chairman Linda Carter congratulate Union County Police Captain John White (3rd R) on being honored by Kenneth Hamilton (3rd L) and Lou Amoriello (R) of Rolling Thunder New Jersey Chapter 2 for his years of dedicated support of the POW-MIA mission. They are joined by Union County Police Chief Dan Vaniska (L). Thousands of motorcyclists gathered for Ride for Freedom XVII on September 16 in Warinanco Park in Roselle and rode to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders was a co-sponsor of the event.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org. On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook. On Twitter at www.twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Photo Caption : Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd L) congratulates Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi (R), Superintendent of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, UCTech High School Teaching Supervisor Judith Hurok and UCTech Principal Jeffery Lerner on the school being named a Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – UCTech High School in Scotch Plains has been named a Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education, placing it in the company of only six New Jersey schools in its category to receive the distinction.

The Blue Ribbon award is one of the most prestigious national honors bestowed on an elementary, middle or high school. With this award, UCTech joins a national roster of 269 Blue Ribbon schools.

“This is a great day for UCTech and all of Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “UCTech has played a vital role in the future of our communities by helping to provide thousands of our young citizens with a path to a rewarding and productive life.”

The Blue Ribbon award program is designed to help improve education nationwide by identifying best practices that can serve as models for other schools to follow. UCTech won its Blue Ribbon award for consistently high student performance.

“The teachers, staff, students and their families all pulled together to make this happen,” said Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi, Superintendent of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools. “It is very gratifying to see their efforts recognized on a national level, and we are all very proud of them”

UCTech serves approximately 1,000 students from throughout Union County.  The school offers programs in automotive sciences, service industries, communications, health careers and building trades, along with small group programs for special education students.

This year, UCTech has added a new four-year School of Design program in conjunction with Kean University. The new program will provide Union County students with more opportunities in the growing field of technology and design.

UCTech has also been recognized with a Bronze Award in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey of top high schools.

In 2011-12, full-time UCTech students scored 100% proficient or advanced proficient in both sections of the New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment.

UCTech shares a campus at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains with four other Union County high schools, of which three — Magnet High School, the Academy for Information Technology and the Academy of Allied Health Sciences — have also received national recognition for student achievement.

A fifth school, the Academy for Performing Arts, was recently added to the campus. It will be eligible for consideration in awards and surveys now that it has graduated its initial class in June 2012.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes residents to attend the free Fall Speaker Series addressing alcohol and drug addiction, prevention and treatment. The series is funded by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the Municipal Alliance, and coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services.

The next three evening presentations in the series are scheduled for October 3 in Scotch Plains, October 17 in Cranford, and November 14 in Union.

The October presentations will be made by John Kriger, a professional alcohol and drug counselor and trainer who addresses individual and family issues in school, at work and at home.  He is the author of The Pond: A Small Book About Big Changes.

Mr. Kriger will present “Family Dynamics of Addiction” on Wednesday, October 3 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, 667 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains.

On Wednesday, October 17, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mr. Kriger will present “Adolescent Trends: For Adults Only” at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford.

The fourth and final presentation will be made by Michael Litterer of Prevention Links. Titled “Prescription 101: Prescription Medication and Heroin Abuse & Addiction,” it will be held on Wednesday, November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kean University’s STEM Auditorium, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.

Prevention Links is a not-for-profit organization based in Roselle that provides substance abuse information and resources for individuals, families, schools and businesses throughout Union County.

All events in the Fall Speakers Series are free and open to the public.  For more information call Deborah LaNier, Union County Department of Human Services, 908-527-4852.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Elizabeth—Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella today announced the County’s fourth Annual Columbus Day Flag Raising event set for Friday, October 5th, at 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse.

Speakers include Former Governor James J. Florio, Cesarina Earl, publisher of the Italian Voice,  UNICO Past National President Renato Biribin, Italian American One Voice Founder Manny Alfano, and Mike Giunta, President and founder of Bayway Catering

Freeholder Mirabella will host and emcee the event. The Courthouse is located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth at the corner of Rahway Avenue. In the event of rain, the program will be moved in doors to the County Courthouse Rotunda.

“Italian Americans continue to make amazing contributions to America, and we celebrate those contributions as well as a culture that has made great contributions to modern society,” said Mirabella, whose father, Gene, was the first Italian-American Police Chief of Elizabeth, NJ.

UNICO District X and Plainfields’ UNICO works to organize and co-sponsor the event.

Italian-style refreshments will be served after the event in the historic Union County Courthouse.

Parking (pay) is available in the Midtown area at the J. Christian Bollwage Parking deck at Elizabethtown Plaza and Caldwell Place. A second deck is Elizabeth’s Parking Deck #6 on Jefferson Avenue and Dickinson Street—the entrance is on Dickinson Street.

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Union County- Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella encourages Union County residents to rid their homes of unwanted and expired medication at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Take Back Initiative this Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. at Union County Police Department, 300 North Avenue East  Westfield, NJ 07090.

“The National Take Back Initiative coordinates safe and reliable drop-off points that are properly staffed to ensure no medication ends up in the wrong hands,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Take Back events are a tool for reducing the abuse of prescription and non-prescription medications. The goal of the program is to allow citizens to turn unused, unwanted or expired medications in to law enforcement officials who will dispose of the substances in a safe and non-hazardous manner.

During October 2011, Operation Take Back New Jersey collected 9831 pounds of medication state-wide.

Union County Police Department will be staffed for collection in addition to various municipal police departments throughout the County. For a full listing of participating locations visit https://ucnj.org/medication-disposal.

For additional information on the National Take Back Initiative contact Union County Police Department at 908-654-9800.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ — Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella congratulates National Merit semifinalists from the Union County Magnet High School in Scotch Plains. The semifinalists  are (from left) Daniel Liang of Scotch Plains, Linda Liu  of Westfield, Ivy Malao of Scotch Plains, Matthew Stone of Springfield, Patrick Terry of Westfield and Jessica Zhang of Fanwood. They are joined by Magnet High School Principal Gwen Ryan.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal encourage adults, ages 18 and older, who are interested in learning intermediate digital photography to attend a special workshop led by Joan Pamboukes on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside.

This workshop will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The fee for Union County residents is $45 per person; $55 per person for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is required, but walk-ins are welcome as space permits.

“Trailside is surrounded by forests, fields, wetlands and a diversity of plant and animal life,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This part of the beautiful Watchung Reservation is a perfect setting to practice your digital camera skills.”

The Sept. 22 workshop is ideal for the photography student who has a digital (or traditional) 35mm SLR camera. During the session, students will briefly review shutter speeds, aperture values, IXO, white balance, and focal length. Emphasis will be placed on using shooting modes such as shutter or aperture priority, and creating beautiful compositions.

Much of the class time will be spent shooting, discussing available light and ways to add light in order to get the right exposure. Bring your camera. It will be helpful to have your manual and tripod with you.

Joan Pamboukes has experience as an art and photography instructor in Boston, New York and New Jersey. She currently teaches Photography and Digital Media at The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit. With her knowledge and skill as a teacher and professional photographer, Joan guides her students to gain the confidence they need to truly enjoy their camera and the art of digital photography.

For additional information about the Adult Intermediate Digital Photography Workshop or other programs and upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & 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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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Intermediate Digital Photography, a workshop for adults, ages 18 and older will be presented on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Professional photographer Joan Pamboukes will briefly review shutter speeds, aperture values, IXO, white balance, and focal length. Emphasis will be on using shooting modes and creating beautiful compositions. The fee is $45 for Union County residents; $55 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is preferred; walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits. For information on this or other lectures for adults, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside 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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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County, NJ — Members of the public are invited to join with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in honoring the sacrifices of our nation’s prisoners of war and military personnel missing in action, by attending the Union County POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on Friday, September 21 at 11:15 a.m., in front of the Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.

In case of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors in the first floor Rotunda of the Courthouse.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.