County of Union, New Jersey

The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents and friends to this year’s 2023 Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7^th from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Oak Ridge Park, located on 136 Oak Ridge Road in Clark. Admission is free for all.

“After the astounding turnout we received at our Summer Concert Series, we had to keep the momentum going with another exciting, fun-filled night of live music and refreshments that I know all will truly enjoy,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Board of County Commissioners and I understand how important it is for our community to have opportunities to unwind and reconnect with each other, and will continue providing our residents with a safe and enjoyable atmosphere where they can make great memories together. I hope to see you all there.”

The 2023 Fall Festival will be featuring live performances from several bands, and plenty of food and refreshments for all to enjoy. New this year, we debut Union County’s first ever Micro Beer Garden! Attendees may purchase refreshing ales and hops brewed right in Union County. The beverages for the Micro Beer Garden will be provided by Wet Ticket Brewing from Rahway, Yale Terrace Brewery from Cranford and Climax Brewing Co. from Roselle Park. Residents must be 21 and over, and able to present a valid photo ID before being served.

The musical line-up for the 2023 Fall Festival will feature the following performers:

• The Weight Band – This band knows how to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, The Band, and that’s in part because their group leader, Jim Weider, was the lead guitarist of The Band for 15 years! The Weight Band recreates the energy of that grassroots, Woodstock sound that will transport fans back in time, while blending in their own inspirational, original acts that will leave the audience hopeful for what’s to come in the future.
• Willie Nile – This remarkable songwriter stems from Buffalo, NY and has performed with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tori Amos, Barenaked Ladies and The Who. His most notable cover album, Positively Bob: Willie Nile Sings Bob Dylan, truly showcases the singer’s talent: a distinctive, soulful voice that captures the essence of the artists that inspire him.
• Splintered Sunlight – This tribute band to The Grateful Dead is sure to please hardcore Deadheads and new listeners alike with their own unique renditions of timeless hits from The Grateful Dead and other legends.

The 2023 Fall Festival is brought to you by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

For more information about activities and programs of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation visit online at ucnj.org/parks, email parksinfo@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4900.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce that the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County program is now recruiting for its 35^th class. Gardeners of all levels can sharpen and practice their skills while giving back to the community by joining the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County.

“The Master Gardeners program is one of our most successful volunteer programs in all of Union County,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “We are proud to continue our partnership with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and share in their mission of providing our community with the most comprehensive and useful education on horticulture that can be applied to their everyday lives.”

The Master Gardeners are volunteers who are trained and certified by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. They create and run programs for the public including educational workshops and horticulture programs for people with special needs. The centerpiece of the program is the 1.5-acres Union County Demonstration Garden, located adjacent to the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, at 152 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

The 2024 Master Gardener training program is from January to May, and consists of weekly classes that cover basic botany, entomology and plant pathology, integrated pest management, vegetable gardening, tree fruit, lawn care and flower gardening among other topics.  Participants who complete the coursework and provide 60 hours of pre-approved community service earn the title of Rutgers Certified Master Gardener. 

To complete the coursework, students have the option to either attend live lectures or learn asynchronously.  Live lectures will be on Tuesday mornings from 10: 00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. held at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office in Westfield.  Asynchronous learning students will have access to pre-recorded lectures, all the same study materials, and occasional evening office hours. 

“The Master Gardener program exceeded my expectations. From both the classroom and volunteering at the demonstration garden, I gained a wealth of knowledge on gardening, new ideas for plants and vegetables in my own garden, and how to research and address plant diseases. It was also nice to meet so many fellow Master Gardeners. The course was taught by a Rutgers professor, covering interesting and current topics from soil, insects, plant pathology, pruning, house plants, flower gardens, native and pollinators and vegetable gardening, etc. The Integrated Pest Management project taught me how to find a problem, research for a solution, and practice what I learned.” wrote a 2023 participant.

Another participant added, “What an awesome experience this has been! I enrolled in the Master Gardener course as a virtual student. The content of the course is vast and detailed, the instructors so informative, the lessons well presented. My mom is a bona fide master gardener, and I always felt that I needed to nurture that nagging instinct to grow things. The more I learned with the course, the braver I became, no longer hesitant, but willingly allowing my green thumb to flourish. I created a perennial garden in the front of my house, and grew vegetables in my backyard. I am absolutely proud of my thriving roses, lavender, hydrangeas and azaleas. I tasted the sweetest tomatoes, crunchiest cucumbers, most fragrant peppers and freshest lettuce, all grown by me. This course truly changed my life… and I proudly tell my family and friends that yes, I am now a Master Gardener.”

Another Master Gardener student noted, “I enjoyed the Master Gardeners course very much. I started the course with only a basic understanding of gardening and learned a great deal about the growing seasons, the soil, dealing with pests, and the great variety of gardens that can be planted. Based on the research available from Rutgers, I also discovered a number of strategies to improve my own garden. A key benefit is that I have met a number of wonderful people through the program, and I continue to learn from the more experienced Master Gardeners.”

“This program showcases the wonderful volunteers we have in our community, and how their generosity contributes to keeping our environment beautiful and bountiful,” said Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Board. “I encourage those that have an interest in all things horticulture, gardening, or simply want to try a new way to give back to consider applying.” 

To apply for the 2024 training course, visit the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County registration website at http://bttr.im/fem3x.  Once accepted into the program, there is a $200 program registration fee.  Applicants must be willing to participate in volunteer activities.  The program can accommodate 30 students.

To learn more about the Master Gardeners program, please call Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 908-654-9854 ext. 2 or email thopkins@ucnj.org.

The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is a volunteer program offered through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, NJ Agriculture Experiment Stations and Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, in cooperation with the Union County Board of County Commissioners.  It is supported in Union County by the Commissioner Board, with administrative assistance and office space in Westfield, land for the Demonstration Garden, and funding for special projects. For more information about all Extension projects and activities in Union County, including Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards and the 4-H youth development program, visit ucnj.org/rce.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce the 2023 Cannabis Job Fair on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Union College of Union County in Elizabeth. This job fair is a collaboration with the Union County Board of County Commissioners, the Elizabeth Development Company, and Union College of Union County.

“The cannabis industry is growing at a rapid rate here in New Jersey,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados, who also serves as Liaison to the Workforce Development Board. “Right now, there are over 30 dispensaries in New Jersey, which allows easy access for medical marijuana for patients who can benefit from its therapeutic properties, as well as adult-use cannabis. Two of those dispensaries are right here in Union County. There are many employment opportunities residents might not know about, so this fair is a vital way to spread knowledge to our citizens of Union County.”

The Cannabis Job Fair will be begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Union College of Union County Kellogg Building, Room 519, located at 40 West Grand Street in Elizabeth. Attendees will be able to learn about the various employment positions available within the cannabis industry, including Cannabis Extraction Technician, Cannabis Manufacturing Technician, Budtender, Receptionist, Security, and Sales. Admission to the Cannabis Job Fair is free, however, pre-registration is required on www.ucnj.org/cannajobs.

Cannabis employers who are interested in participating in this event should contact Carolina Marin at (908) 527-4373.

Marijuana was made legal for recreational adult use in New Jersey in 2023. Today, the state is home to over 30 recreational cannabis dispensaries, and 13 that sell only medical marijuana. Recreational marijuana has generated close to $306 million in sales, and $18.8 million in sales tax revenue in the first two financial quarters of 2023. Cannabis job opportunities have been steadily increasing in growth over the past five years, with over 428,000 job opportunities available in the industry in 2022. 

For more updates and details about the Cannabis Job Fair and other programs in Union County, please visit www.ucnj.org.

Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for mosquitoes Thursday Evening, September 21, 2023, between the hours of 7:00PM to 12:00AM (Weather Permitting). Check below for a list of areas to be sprayed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Union County Office of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834 or 908-654-9835.

Cities

• Berkeley Hts. – Berkeley Ave. Area
• Clark – Benish Ct., Charlotte Ct., Thomas Dr.
• Elizabeth – Clarkson Ave., Johnson St.,
• Hillside – Cornell Pl., Harvard Ave., John St.
• Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Epping Dr., Water Co. Rd.
• Linden – Bradford Ave., Lexington Ave., Marion Ave., Tremley Pt. Area,
• Plainfield – Arlington Ave., Rose St.
• Rahway – Allen St., Dudley Ct., Elston St., Elizabeth Ave., E. Inman Ave., Leesville Ave., Madison Hill Rd., Martin St., New Brunswick Ave., Price St. Area, Revoir Dr., Riffle Ave. Whittier St.
• Roselle Park – Beechwood Ave., E. Colfax Ave., Pinewood Ave., W. Colfax Ave., Woodside Ave. 800 Block Walnut St.
• Scotch Plains – Frank St., Round Hill Rd., Wedgewood Way,
• Summit – Summit Recycling Center
• Union – Clermont Ter., Union Ave. Area
• Westfield – Stanley Oval

County Parks

• Plainfield – Cedar Brook
• Hillside – Conant
• Clark – Oak Ridge

City Parks

• Linden – Memorial

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is proud to present a collection of artwork from Dario Scholis, Adrianna Rendon and German “Gee” Perez, currently on exhibit at the Commissioners Gallery in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The gallery is located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, located at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth, with gallery hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“Together, we honor our heritage and created a space where art and culture unite,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “I invite residents to come and check out the beauty, diversity, and creativity that define Hispanic art that is on display to honor our heritage. I hope to see you at our other events that the County is hosting throughout the month!”

This collaborative project from three of Union County’s most distinguished Hispanic Artists; Dario Scholis, Adrianna Rendon and German “Gee” Perez will be on display from September 15th – October 13th in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, part of the Department of Parks and Recreation, coordinates the exhibits displayed at the Commissioners Gallery.

For more information about this and other programs or services related to the arts and history in Union County, please contact the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, which is located at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ at (908) 558-2550 or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that  sample ballots for the November 7^th General Election can now be viewed and downloaded on the County Clerk’s elections website www.unioncountyvotes.com, and through Union County Votes, a free app for all mobile devices.

The County Clerk’s office will also be mailing sample ballots to all registered Union County voters. The sample ballot mailings will begin on or about October 23, 2023.

“The website and app offer a convenient way for voters to familiarize themselves with their ballot, even before they receive their copy in the mail,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “I urge all of our residents to exercise your right to preview and prepare for the upcoming election. Please visit our website to get informed, get ready, and let your voice be heard.”

Voters with any questions about their sample ballots can call the County Clerk’s Elections Division, 908-527-4996 or email the Elections Division at ucvote@ucnj.org.

For more information about the County Clerk’s election services visit unioncountyvotes.com or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to invite seniors and their caregivers for the upcoming ASK community events in October. At these events, attendees can meet face-to-face with skilled professionals who offer expert guidance on senior programs and resources, as well as assistance with form completion. Additionally, bilingual staff will be on hand at all events to provide support in Spanish.

“Our Division on Aging remains committed in its dedication to ensuring access to a diverse range of resources designed to improve the quality of life for our senior residents in Union County,” said Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados. “With the support of our knowledgeable staff, obtaining vital information has never been more accessible for our seniors and their caregivers.”

ASK, short for Aging Services Kiosk, is a program within the Union County Department of Human Services, specifically operated by the Division on Aging and Disability Resources. It offers seniors aged 60 and older, along with their caregivers, a friendly and convenient avenue for Union County residents to discover valuable programs and services. This program brings Division on Aging professionals to local public libraries and community centers.

Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers. Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown.  No appointment or pre-registration is needed. The upcoming ASK events in October all include bilingual assistance in Spanish: