County of UnionDue to a horse testing positive to the EHM infection, the Watchung Stables will be closed to the public for the next 3 weeks, as the sick horse will be quarantined, and the others monitored. An expected opening date will be at or around April 5th. The virus does NOT affect humans and other domestic animals, with the exception of llamas and alpacas.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders held a set of open public hearing dates in February and March for the review.
While there are no public comments at these meetings, the public was welcome to attend and listen to the discussion. The Freeholder Board will conduct their review before voting to introducing the budget later this year.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER THE MARCH 13 EVENT IS CANCELLED. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE MARCH 20 EVENT BY EMAILING BKELLY@UCNJ.ORG
Union County, NJ – On the lookout for the first signs of spring? Bird watchers and nature fans are invited to break out their binoculars and gather for the annual Union County Woodcock Walk & Talk events. One will be held in the Watchung Reservation in Berkeley Heights on Tuesday, March 13 and the other will be in Lenape Park in Cranford on Tuesday, March 20. Both programs start at 6:00 p.m. an conclude around 8:15 p.m.
The two events are free and open to adults and children age 10 and up with an adult. Pre-registration is required by emailing the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at bkelly@ucnj.org.
“The American Woodcock requires very specific habitats, so it’s a great source of pride that Union County’s preserved open spaces can support this unusual bird,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The annual Walk & Talk events help our residents and visitors see – and hear – the value of local nature conservation.”
Hosted by the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, the annual Woodcock Walk & Talk provides seasoned birders and beginners alike with the chance to catch a glimpse of the American Woodcock and learn more about this unusual and elusive bird.
“Bird watchers appreciate spotting this unique bird in March, as its appearance signals warmer weather and sunny days to come after a long winter,” explained Granados.
The American Woodcock is known by a variety of colorful names including timberdoodle, Labrador twister, night partridge, mudbat and bog sucker.
The species is most commonly referred to as the woodcock due to its preference for wooded areas. American Woodcocks are drawn to moist forests and require dense woodland, providing ample cover and food.
In the spring, the bird seeks out forest clearings, abandoned fields spotted with low brush or open fields next to forest edges to serve as courtship sites.
In preparation for mating, males establish individual territories known as singing grounds.
Perhaps the most fascinating attribute of the American Woodcock is the acrobatic courtship displays performed by the males, which have been described as mesmerizing.
As part of their mating ritual, a displaying male on the ground will emit a nasal, buzzing call referred to as a peent, to attract females. He then takes flight and ascends 200 or 300 feet. All the while, musical twittering sounds are made by the male’s wings. Afterwards, he will spiral or zigzag back to the ground while producing a liquid chirp.
The March 13 Woodcock Walk & Talk in the Watchung Reservation will take place at the Deserted Village. The group will meet at Masker’s Barn, which is located at the far end of Cataract Hollow Road in Berkeley Heights (GPS users: plug in 13 Cataract Hollow Road and follow road to the end), at 6:00 p.m.
The March 20 event at Lenape Park will meet at the old Trap and Skeet field house near the main entrance off Kenilworth Boulevard/County Road 509 in Cranford (the park entrance is between Dorset Drive and Nomahegan Road).
For more information on activities and programs in Union County parks, and to find out about volunteering with Union County Adopt-a-Park, call 908-527-4900 or visit ucnj.org/parks.
For quick links to all Union County environmental and sustainability programs visit The Green Connection online at www.ucnj.org/green-connection.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
There are numerous Municipalities still without power in certain areas. Below is a list of local warming stations you can visit:
Summit
Central Presbyterian Church 70 Maple St. is open from 9AM to 9PM on Fri 3/9 and Sat 3/10 from 9AM to 3PM. Summit Area YMCA 67 Maple St. is open from 5AM to 10PM until power restored. WIFI and access to showers available. Bring charging cord for devices.
New Providence
The municipal building is open 24/7 to anyone wishing to keep warm and charge your electronic devices. There is also free wifi available. If you need to sleep at the municipal building please bring blankets and pillows and whatever food and water you need (some donated food items may be available). The municipal building is located at 360 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974. Please use the gym entrance on Academy Street.
Other places of business open to residents:
BAC Center of Excellence (Berkeley Aquatic) – open to anyone for a warm shower and a place to keep warm
629 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974 Monday – Saturday 8am – 8pm (not open Sunday)
New Providence Presbyterian Church – open to anyone for charging of electronics, free wifi, and coffee
1307 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974 Friday and Saturday 9am – 9pm (not open Sunday)
Fitness Factory Gym – open to anyone for a warm shower, sauna, and charging of electronics
598 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974 Monday – Thursday 5am-11pm, Friday 5am-10pm, Saturday-Saturday 7am-8pm
Springfield
The Chisholm Community Center is active as an emergency overnight shelter and warming/charging station. Warm meals for breakfast (9 a.m.), lunch (noon), and dinner (5:30 p.m.) are available. Residents who wish to utilize the shelter should call the Emergency Operations Center at 973-376-1058 to register. Residents should bring bedding, pillows, personal hygiene items and medications. Pets are welcome but must be crated and well-behaved (food not provided). Berkeley Heights
Courtroom is
Open for warming and wifi
The Echo Lake Dog Park is now reopened. Temporary fencing is now installed around the areas where the trees damage occured.
Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will receive a “Women in American History Award” from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in recognition of her many contributions to the field of American history. The annual award celebrates outstanding contributions by women who serve as an example and inspiration to their communities in an educational, religious, scientific or cultural endeavor, and the honorees are permanently archived at the national DAR American history website.
The award will be presented by the Cranes’ Ford chapter of the DAR at noon on Saturday, March 10 in a ceremony at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford.
“History challenges us to recognize the many elements that come together from the past to inform the present,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “I am deeply honored to be recognized with this award and I am especially grateful for the continuing opportunity to explore the role of women who continue to shape our nation today.”
The NSDAR award recognizes Ms. Rajoppi as the author of the book, Northern Women in the Aftermath of the Civil War, and as the first woman to serve as Union County Clerk and the first woman elected to the Springfield municipal council. Ms. Rajoppi is also a former Mayor of Springfield, former Union County Freeholder and first woman Freeholder Chairman, and former New Jersey Assistant Secretary of State.
Ms. Rajoppi’s other published works include Women in Office: Getting There and Staying There, and New Brunswick and the Civil War: The Brunswick Boys in the Great Rebellion.
Among other projects, Ms. Rajoppi curates and produces an annual illustrated historical calendar commemorating significant people and events in and around Union County, and coordinates exhibits in the historic Union County Courthouse Rotunda including the four-year Civil War Sesquicentennial series.
In 2016 Ms. Rajoppi received the 2016 National eRecording All-Star Trailblazer Award for demonstrating leadership in the use of electronic recording technology. She is a six-time recipient of the National Association of Counties Award for innovative government and computerization, a recipient of the prestigious Gill C. Job Award from the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey, and former president of the New Jersey Association of Counties and the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers.
For information about NSDAR and the Women in American History Award, contact Mary Leonard, mjr65@comcast.net.
The Crane’s Ford NSDAR chapter was chartered on March 7, 1944 by the National Society. Membership is open to any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American Independence. The chapter currently has 56 members. They are a volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism and historic preservation through commemorative events, scholarships and service to veterans.
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Connect with Union County on social media.
Union County, NJ – On Tuesday, February 20, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the Office of LGBTQ Services, hosted a roundtable with over 20 leading LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations that serve Union County and New Jersey. Facilitated by Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality, more than 40 participants met to discuss LGBTQ-related programs, services, issues and priorities for 2018.
The roundtable was organized by the new Union County Office of LGBTQ Services that was established by Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados as one of many progressive “Moving Union County Forward” special initiatives that he announced in January of this year.
Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino encouraged open and engaging conversations about many unique challenges of the LGBTQ community including: access to healthcare services; state policy recommendations; safe spaces to live, learn, work, play and pray; access to resources and information; and achieving safety, permanency and well-being for LGBTQ youth and families. Participants also offered strategic thinking toward building culturally-appropriate programs and partnerships that affirm the dignity and human worth of LGBTQ people and supporters.
“The Freeholder Board unwaveringly supports our LGBTQ residents and their families, and I am proud we are leading County governments in the State of New Jersey to protect progress and resist discrimination, hate and division,” Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados noted in his welcome address. “It is only by joining forces and working in partnership with LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations that we will be able to make progress in effectively supporting LGBTQ individuals, families and allies. I make no reservation in my commitment as an elected official to back up my words with action – I will stand side-by-side with LGBTQ individuals, advocacy groups and supporters to fight for equality and security in our communities.”
This first organized meeting, as part of a series of outreach efforts, is to engage the LGBTQ and ally communities in a county-wide needs assessment. A priority of the Office of LGBTQ Services is to provide a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serve as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.
“On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I applaud the organizations who participated in the roundtable for the work they are already doing to support LGBTQ people, families and friends in our communities, and for participating in the roundtable with the shared goal of discussing existing programs, and addressing barriers, strategies and gaps in services,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee.
Several prominent New Jersey organizations that serve the LGBTQ community commend the networking and results-oriented effort of the roundtable.
“Leading by example to create a more inclusive community starts with the conversation. Union County’s LGBTQ roundtable is taking that lead and Hyacinth in proud to add our voice,” noted Hyacinth AIDS Foundation roundtable participants Danielle King and Allen Lockhart.
“WellCare of New Jersey is dedicated to building partnerships with organizations working to make a difference in our communities. The Union County LGBTQ roundtable is one such example. It was an honor to be included in this important discussion with individuals who are truly passionate about eliminating the barriers facing LGBTQ families and WellCare looks forward to joining them in this commitment,” said Clarissa Robles, Sr. Community Relations Specialist for WellCare of New Jersey.
“As facilitators of the first 2018 LGBTQ Roundtable, Garden State Equality was both honored and enthusiastic to share ideas with other incredible advocacy organizations and individuals. Events like this Roundtable are so important for addressing LGBTQ-related programs, services, and issues. We are so proud of the Union County Freeholders for establishing the Office of LGBTQ Services, the first county office in the state of NJ,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality.
Through assessment, research, analysis and strategic collaboration, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, provides essential support that impacts the quality of life for LGBTQ people and allies through community building and human services.
“HMI: NJ is excited to partner with Union County to provide any complimentary services, training and or technical assistance to support the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services. Union County has taken great strides in advancing services to its LGBTQ residents. We are committed to supporting this initiative to ensure its success,” said Ashawnda Fleming, Ph.D., MS Executive Director, Hetrick-Martin Institute New Jersey.
For more information about the Union County Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Video Link: youtube.com/watch?v=WAOKPZ_dMKU
Photo Caption (welcoming remarks): Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, joined by Freeholders Alexander Mirabella and Bruce Bergen, welcomed roundtable facilitator Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality and over 40 participants representing more than 20 LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations that serve Union County and New Jersey to the 2018 LGBTQ Roundtable to discuss LGBTQ-related programs, services, issues and priorities for 2018.
Please note: Saturday’s “Boots 2 Heels” event has been postponed and will be rescheduled later this spring.
Union County, NJ – All Union County women with military service – veterans, active duty and reserve – are invited to join “Boots 2 Heels,” a free event designed to foster wellness and connect women with resources and guidance for empowerment. Boots 2 Heels will be held on Saturday, February 24 at the Westfield Armory, located at 500 Rahway Avenue in Westfield.
The event is free but pre-registration is required by contacting Janna Williams, Union County Office of Veteran Services at jwilliams@ucnj.org or 908-527-4918 by Friday, February 23.
Boots 2 Heels is presented by the Office of Veteran Services with the Office on Women.
The event will feature keynote speaker Stacey Hale, LCSW and three breakout sessions:
A counselor from Youth & Family Counseling in Westfield will be available at the event, as well as a representative from Veteran Affairs.
Breakfast, lunch, and light refreshments will be provided through the generosity of Pinhos Bakery of Roselle, Whole Foods of Clark, and Bonds of Courage of Westfield.
For additional information on Boots 2 Heels call Bonds of Courage at 908-273-4122.
Information on all military veterans resources in Union County is available at UC-HERO, ucnj.org/uc-hero.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.
Please Note: Saturday’s “Boots to Heels” Event has been postponed and will be rescheduled later this spring.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite women veterans to “Boots 2 Heels,” a free event designed to foster wellness and connect women with resources and guidance for empowerment. Boots 2 Heels is offered through Union County’s UC HERO initiative and will be held on Saturday, February 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westfield Armory, located at 500 Rahway Avenue in Westfield.
“UC HERO is focused on giving back to the veterans who put their lives on the line in the service of our country, and we hope that the Boots 2 Heels program provides women veterans with information that can help them achieve their goals in all of their endeavors,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “In any way that we can, this Freeholder Board is committed to supporting our veterans and recognizing their commitment to serving the greater good.”
Boots 2 Heels is presented by the Office of Veteran Services with the Office on Women.
The event will feature keynote speaker Stacey Hale, LCSW and three breakout sessions:
A counselor from Youth & Family Counseling in Westfield will be available at the event, as well as a representative from Veteran Affairs.
Breakfast, lunch, and light refreshments will be provided through the generosity of Pinhos Bakery of Roselle, Whole Foods of Clark, and Bonds of Courage of Westfield.
The event is free but an RSVP is required. To RSVP to “Boots 2 Heels,” please contact Janna Williams at jwilliams@ucnj.orgby February 17.
For more information on the event, call 908-527-4918, 908-273-4122, or visit ucnj.org.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the spring season of Sensory Friendly Theatre at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The popular series, sponsored by the Freeholder Board, showcases exciting live performances in an environment tailored to audiences with autism and other sensory sensitivities.
“The Freeholder Board is committed to helping every Union County resident connect with their friends, neighbors and the broader community, and enjoying live performances is an especially enriching community experience for all ages, especially children,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Sensory Friendly Theatre provides a way for all audiences to feel the joy and excitement of a live show in the beautiful Union County Performing Arts Center.”
Sensory Friendly Theatre kicks off this spring with the beloved story of Cinderella on Sunday, March 4, presented by the renowned New Jersey Ballet Company:
Since 1958, New Jersey Ballet has brought the joy and beauty of dance to the entire state, and had the distinct privilege to represent New Jersey in other parts of the country and world. The Ballet has an extensive repertory, which embraces the classics, as well as contemporary works. Making dance accessible to everyone requires affordable ticket prices. New Jersey Ballet is proud to be designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
On Sunday April 29, Sensory Friendly Theatre brings TheatreWorks to the stage for an inventive retelling of the classic tale, Charlotte’s Web:
Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman — she will create a “miracle.” This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship.
The final show of the spring season is an exciting interactive experience with the self-explanatory name, Bubble Trouble:
A bubble volcano. Bubble roller coaster. A kid in a bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and a unique level of community participation, he engages and delights audiences of all ages.
The Sensory Friendly Theatre series began in 2012 as an initiative of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. It is designed according to guidelines that help reduce disturbances for youngsters who experience heightened sensory sensitivity. It has been supported by the Freeholder Board every year since then.
For each of the Sensory Friendly performances, the environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.
Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at the performances. For more information on what to expect at Sensory Friendly Theatre visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.
All tickets for are $8.00 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 Union County Performing Arts Center and box office are located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.