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Freeholder Forum: Lots To Do In Union County This Summer

The following column was submitted by Alexander Mirabella, chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

When the last school bell rings for the summer, many parents continue to look for opportunities to keep their children in engaged in learning. Fortunately, right here in Union County there are many free and affordable activities that help youngsters refresh their academic skills while savoring the enjoyment of the summer season.

Some of these activities are familiar ones, such as the summer reading programs at our local public libraries. Many of these go beyond books to include hands-on play and creative exercises that make it fun for young children to keep tuned up.

Perhaps less well known is Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. This state of the art class natural history museum is open seven days a week (except holidays) from noon to 5 p.m. and admission is free for all ages.

Trailside is packed with exhibits designed for busy hands and curious minds. Children can explore at their own pace, which makes it a perfect spur-of-the-moment activity to fill up a rainy afternoon.

The museum also offers a popular, modestly priced Wednesday matinee series for children ages four and up (for ticket information and a virtual tour visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670).

In good weather you can combine a trip to Trailside with a family hike through the rustic trails of the Watchung Reservation, or stroll over to the newly renovated Loop Playground just a few steps away.

For youths age 11 to 17, the Union County College campus in Cranford offers popular topics as well as academic subjects. This summer the schedule includes classes on creating Web pages, comic books, video games, stop motion films and even apps (information: ucc.edu/go/youth-programs).

A relatively new resource in Union County is the Union County Performing Arts Center, located in our beautifully restored historic theater in the heart of the downtown Rahway arts district. This summer UCPAC is offering a photography camp for children in grades 5 to 8, and a musical theater camp for grades k to 8 (information: ucac.org).

We have also expanded our recreation offerings for children with autism and other disabilities, in accordance with my Chairman’s Initiatives for 2012. To find out more about these programs, call 908-527-4806 or visit ucnj.org/parks.

Of course, our Union County parks are also full of free and modestly priced opportunities to exercise the body as well as the mind all summer long. Children ages 8 to 15 can play ball with the Union County Baseball Association (visit ucba-nj.org), and we also offer swimming, archery, golf and much more (visit ucnj.org/parks for a complete list).

For informational video tours of Union County programs and facilities, visit ucnj.org/videochannel. You can also take advantage of social media to stay up to date on all of our summer offerings, by following us on Facebook or Twitter.

For information on all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org or call the Public Info Line toll free, 877-424-1234.You can also "like" Chairman Mirabella's page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alexandermirabella

Related Topics: Trailside Nature and Science Center, Union County Freeholders, and summer activities in Union County

b paterson

12:06 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012

always interesting to see a freeholders puss. Whenever, there are minor happy fluff things we are sure to see a freeholder puss attached to it. But give it escapes, riots, death and injuries from jail, an overbloated out of contro budget, attorney general investigation, anything identifying a total failure of leadership, a freeholder puss is nowhere to be found, but a spokesman, who by the way is paid over $110,000 (for what really?) is in the media quoting about what is being done. Look closely at this puss above, readers. Ths is the guy who is reaching into your pockets deeper and deeper every year. This is the guy resonsible for proper leadership and management but will only hire hacks and oeratives resulting in failed budgets, deaths and escapes, adn investiagions. Half a BILLION dollars we give him every year. Ask yourself, where does this go? The union county watchdogs have investigated for the last 8 years and find the money disappears into the black hold of county govt, going to friends relatives, poltical hacks, with minimal jobs but big salries, croney legal and professional firms in non-competitive bloated contracts, oversight and consulting that does nothing, tax money paid out but no reports to the public, proven false studies.

Nice puss above with a nice smile, but he would just as shove you aside to make sure that polcital connected do nothing relatives are jammed onto the county dole such as a 5 relatives of one freehodler, 2 of another, etc, etc

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b paterson

12:22 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012

just to continue, and I hope the puss is reading this because he knows I am full well correct: ( we are sure he didnt even write this peice above BTW- but certainly will take tribute) The puss above of course was part an parcel of the musicfest fiasco which a prosecutors report uncoverred tens of thousands of dollars missing, squirreled away in county safes yet it wasnt county money, no lack of financial controls, poorly executed legal contracts. In fact the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) which Mirabella, the puss above, touts actually was uncoverd by the investigation to have skimmed over $100,000 off the top without any one knowing. Embarassed the UCPAC was made to give it back. Of course no freeholder puss was involved in that news media. And yet this puss goes forward wanting you to go to UCPAC, like nothing happened. And you know what, nothing did happen. On his watch so many things happened yet there is never any accountbility, none. Readers, look at the puss and know him now. But their corrupted system in place will never get him out and so he is smiling at that. But at least to the readers, they now recognize this puss above and the other freeholder pusses as not friends but associates of some sort of alleged criminal enterprise that we cannot stop. But now you are aware when you see him. Think half a BILLION dollars of OUR money every year ....gone...he is to blame with no accountability.

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Watch this

2:15 pm on Saturday, July 14, 2012

Hey Brucie. Tina has really served up a strong brew today. Don't drink too much too fast. You do know we call you Trig behind your back? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha

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