County of Union

COUNTY OF UNION ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH HOME FOR GOOD DOG RESCUE

County to co-sponsor public events in Summit and Cranford promoting dog adoptions and family fun with Berkeley Heights-based non-profit

UNION COUNTY— The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced it will co-sponsor events this year supporting Home for Good Dog Rescue, a Berkeley Heights-based non-profit organization which works to save dogs from high-kill shelters, and place them in loving homes.

“We are pleased to announce this partnership to support Home for Good Dog Rescue in their mission to provide happy, healthy pets with a permanent home,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, who is also a dog owner. “These are dogs who through no fault of their own, wound up facing euthanization, and deserve a second chance at life.”

As part of his Freeholder initiatives for 2016, Chairman Bergen announced the County would partner with an organization that would run a dog event. Bergen also announced efforts to create a regional animal shelter that would provide municipalities with a consistent level of animal control while promoting humane treatment.

The sponsorship of Home for Good Dog Rescue will involve providing equipment and materials, and manpower for an upcoming event at Nomahegan Park on April 30^th in Cranford—the 5K Run and 5K Doggy Dash, and for their signature event, their sixth annual Bark-A-Que and Dog Adoption event coming up on September 10th at the Village Green in Summit.

“We are so thrilled to partner with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, especially for our upcoming 5K Run and Doggy Dash later this month,” Shari Gold, Home for Good Dog Rescue’s Manager of Development, said. “Last year’s event at Nomahegan Park was great, and we know that with the county’s support, this year will be even better!”

Various studies have shown pets (particularly dogs) to be psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial. Pet ownership can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessen feelings of loneliness and isolation in all age groups. 

Also, animal advocates note that shelter adoptions are also another way to combat the burgeoning puppy mill business–“factory style” breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of dogs. Animals from puppy mills are housed in poor conditions with improper medical care, and are often very sick and behaviorally troubled as a result. Earlier this year, the County of Union passed a resolution supporting NJ State Senator Raymond Lesniak’s bill that would ban or curtail the operation of puppy mills in New Jersey.

Home for Good Dog Rescue is a 100% foster-based, non-profit 501(c) (3) dog rescue established in 2010 in Summit, New Jersey with offices in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey.

The Second Annual 5K Run and Doggy Dash event coming up on April 30^th from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. at Nomahegan Park in Cranford. The event is on a USATF Certified course.  There will also be a 1 Mile Dog Walk for non-runners.  You can register online at: Register.Compuscore.com/HomeforGood5K.

The event will be held from 8A.M-11A.M. rain or shine. There will be t-shirts, refreshments and prizes awarded to the top 5K runners and the top 5K runner/canine teams.  For more information about Home for Good Dog Rescue, please go to: http://homeforgooddogs.org/

 

 

Event features tasty all-new “Rutgers 250” tomato variety

Union County, NJ –April’s chilly winds are making way for balmier weather, just in time for the 27^th annual Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale. This year the event takes place on Sunday May 15, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Demonstration Garden by the Union County Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

As always, admission and parking are free. All sales are cash only. Proceeds from the sale go to fund community service projects of the Master Gardeners of Union County, the all-volunteer organization that runs the Demonstration Garden.

“Every year, our Master Gardeners work hard to assemble a great collection of plants, activities and educational opportunities for every gardener, from raw beginner to seasoned pro,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “A visit to the Spring Garden Fair is a fun, inspiring way to kick off the growing season, and I wish the Master Gardeners all the best for another successful event.”

The Spring Garden Fair features deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant plants that thrive in Union County, including many easy-to-grow plants for beginner gardeners and a large selection of tomatoes and herbs.

 

Popular tomato varieties for sale at the fair include the Ramapo and the Mortgage Lifter, so named for the 1940’s-era grower who paid off his mortgage by selling plants.

 

One major highlight of the fair this year is the brand new “Rutgers 250” tomato, available for sale as transplants only.

 

Introduced on a limited supply basis just last summer by the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers University, the new variety is a historic re-invention of the world famous Jersey tomato first introduced in 1934 by Rutgers.

 

“The new Rutgers 250 variety promises bursting flavor with a little more bite and complexity, according to the experts,” said Bergen. “It’s not available to large commercial growers yet, so stock up at the Garden Fair and get a head start in your own backyard.”

 

In addition to selling plants, baked goods, books, crafts, and garden supplies, the Spring Garden Fair is packed with activities for gardeners of all ages including:

 

• Guided tours of the Demonstration Garden including the vegetable and herb gardens.
• Displays and information for “Square Foot Gardening,” Rain Barrels, and Rain Gardens.
• Information on joining the Master Gardeners and the 4-H Master Tree Stewards.
• Free children’s activities.
• Free Garden Helpline clinic and Rutgers information fact sheets for gardening problems (attendees can bring plant and insect samples for diagnosis, and a Rutgers soil test kit is available for sale).

 

Free nearby parking is located at the Trailside Nature & Science Center parking lot and the Scout Camping Area. Additional free parking is available in the Loop playground area, located a short walk away on the other side of Trailside.

 

Visitors are advised to bring a small wagon to convey their purchases. Sorry – no pets are permitted at the Garden Fair.

 

The Master Gardeners of Union County is an all-volunteer organization run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. Anyone with an interest in gardening and volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. 

 

Among the Master Gardeners community service projects are educational events and summer camps, neighborhood beautification and nutrition projects, and a horticultural scholarship. The group’s work in the Demonstration Garden has also yielded thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries, and many donations of cut flowers to cancer centers.

 

For more information on the Master Gardeners program, contact Judi Laganga at the Extension at 908-654-9854 (ext. 2), or visit online at ucnj.org/rce. The Extension offices are located in the Colleen Frasier county services building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Union County Library Grants for Children’s Programming and Materials is now open for applications. A total of $150,000 in funding is available in 2016 for public libraries to expand and enhance their services for children.

Now in its second year, the new grant opportunity helps local libraries provide updated programming and resources to meet new and evolving demands for both traditional and non-traditional services.

“The response to the first round of the Library Grants program was overwhelming, and I would like to thank my colleagues on the Freeholder Board for supporting it this year,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Our population is growing, and new opportunities for learning and enrichment are emerging. Now is the time to dedicate more resources to our local public libraries.”

The 2016 grant amount of $150,000 more than doubles last year’s disbursement.

“Our local libraries welcome all residents to come together, learn from each other, explore our diversity and celebrate our common interests,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who was instrumental in launching the grant program in 2015. “These new funds will enable our libraries to expand their offerings and continue to attract children for education and personal development, while strengthening our local communities.”

The Library Grants program is funded with non-tax dollars for the benefit of local, non-school libraries. In 2015, the first year of funding, all 20 municipal libraries in Union County received grants for a total of almost $75,000.

Projects eligible for funding include technology upgrades, educational programming, the purchase of books, videos, and audio tapes, the creation or expansion of summer and fall programming, and the development of planning documents.

The Library Grants Program is part of Chairman Bergen’s “Union County at Work and Play” 2016 initiative for countywide economic development and quality of life improvements.

Other elements of the initiative include new small business loans and job opportunities, recreation improvements and events, and advocacy for Union County College.

For more information on all of the 2016 Chairman’s Initiatives visit 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.

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In observance of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages Union County residents and parents to make vaccinating their children a priority and to talk to family and friends about protecting their children with vaccines.

During the week of April 16-23, Union County will observe NIIW, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative designed to raise awareness about the importance of childhood immunizations.

“National Infant Immunization Week provides a valuable opportunity for our community to increase awareness of the importance for children to be vaccinated and the success of immunizations in preventing deadly diseases,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Childhood vaccinations are one of the best ways for parents to protect their children against vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Among children born during 1994-2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.

Each year, thousands of children become ill from diseases that could have been prevented by basic childhood immunizations. Countless more miss time from day care and school because they are under-immunized or inappropriately immunized.

Check your child’s immunization records and make sure they are up-to-date in their shots. For copies of your child’s immunization records, talk to your doctor.

If you’re concerned about the cost of shots, the Union County Immunization Center, offered through the Department of Human Services, can help. Children who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, Native American or Alaska native, or have insurance that does not cover the cost of the vaccine can get their shots free of cost through the Union County Immunization Center. 

Located at 40 Parker Rd in Elizabeth, the UC Immunization Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information about childhood immunizations, or to make an appointment call 908-965-3868.

Freeholder Board’s UCACT Program Supports American premiere of “passionate, funny, uplifting” musical by Joe Slabe on April 21

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to support American Theater Group (ATG), one of New Jersey’s newest nonprofit theatre companies, in the American premiere of Joe Slabe’s new musical Crossing Swords at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway April 21 to May 1.

“Through the Union County Advancing Community Theatre program, the Freeholder Board is proud to support performing arts events that celebrate creativity, engage the community, and encourage cultural tourism.” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “American Theater Group brings to Union County the opportunity for residents to experience the transformative power of theatre, which brings important social and economic impacts to the community.”

Directed by Igor Goldin, Crossing Swords is a passionate, funny and uplifting new musical by Joe Slabe about three high school students who attempt to put on a production of the classic play Cyrano de Bergerac. When rehearsals get underway jealousies simmer, tempers fly, and passions ignite as life imitates art. Crossing Swords features Broadway veterans Sarah Dacey Charles and Steven Hauck, and introduces exciting newcomers Chase Crandell, Ali Gordon, Jeremy Greenbaum.

Crossing Swords appeared at the New York Musical Festival (NYMF) in 2013 where it received five Awards for Excellence. “When we first saw the piece at NYMTF, we knew that this is the type of theater we want to produce: heartfelt, uplifting, and passionate” says ATG’s Producing Artistic James N. Vagias.  “As a theater company, we look to find exciting new voices in musical theater, and we are honored to be part of Crossing Swords journey, and to introduce our audiences to the incredibly talented Joe Slabe”.

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) program, ATG’s production of Crossing Swords will run from April 21 to May 1 at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway. For more information or to purchase tickets visit ucpac.org or call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226.

American Theater Group is one of New Jersey’s newest nonprofit professional theater companies.  Founded by New Jersey natives Jim Vagias, Joe Mancuso and Rick Sordelet, and under the Board leadership of Tony-Award winning actress Michele Pawk, ATG’s mission is to produce works by American Playwrights, with an emphasis on the development of new works and undeservedly neglected classics, and to nurture the audiences and artists of tomorrow by strong arts-in-education programming.  Now in its fourth season, ATG’ produces in the new state of the art facility, Hamilton Stage, an intimate 199 seat theater that is operated by the Union County Performing Arts Center.

The UCACT program launched in 2015 as a special initiative of Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh during his chairmanship and continues on the footsteps of last year’s success, which included a diverse body of work including two original plays, a student production, a new community theatre organization, among others featuring the high-quality artistic talent of many Union County residents.

The UCACT program aims to provide a strategic platform to support the development of Union County’s rich theatre talent by leveraging existing resources and broadening the definition of economic development and public recreation to include support for community theatre. For more information about UCACT visit ucnj.org/ucact.

 

Union County, NJ – Work on the new Union County Transportation Master Plan is drawing to a close, and the public is invited to get a preview of the final product at an Open House event on Monday, April 25, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue in Cranford.

“The Union County Transportation Master Plan is a critical planning tool that will help the Freeholder Board and other representatives advocate for improvements in mass transit, bicycle routes, walkable neighborhoods and every other aspect of the ways in which people and goods move in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Open House will provide you with an opportunity to view the components of the plan before the final document is issued.”

At the Open House, members of the public can view maps, photographs and other documents. Transportation experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide brief presentations, and a Spanish translator will be present throughout the event.

The Open House is a free, drop-in event. No pre-registration is required.

“Transportation affects every aspect of our lives and our economy,” said Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, who was recently named First Vice Chair of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. “I encourage every stakeholder to take this opportunity to talk to the experts and inform yourself about the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Residents can also participate in an online transportation survey available on the County website at ucnj.org/tmp, where they can register their views on the transportation infrastructure in their communities, and list the areas they would like to see targeted for improvement.

The survey is open until April 30.

Work on the Union County Transportation Master Plan is being conducted by the Union County Bureau of Transportation Planning, Department of Economic Development. Completion is expected in June 2016.

The Union County Transportation Master Plan is funded by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and Union County.

For more details about the Union County Transportation Master Plan visit ucnj.org/tmp.

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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:

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are announcing that another 100 work at home, full-time private employment jobs will be available through the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center.

In fulfillment of Chairman Bruce Bergen’s Veterans initiatives for 2016, Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, also the liaison to the Workforce Investment Board, is announcing Veterans will be given preference in hiring. If interested, you must register for the informational session being held on Friday, April 29th, 10 a.m. at the Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth.

For more information, and to register, please go to:
www.ucnj.org/w…/100-work-at-home-full-time-jobs-registration

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the new Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is now accepting grant applications to start a new community garden, or to expand and improve an existing garden. The garden grant program will be administered by the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth under its Come Grow With Us! community garden program.

“Growing fresh produce provides the benefits of improved nutrition, environmental education, recreation, socializing, volunteer opportunities, and neighborhood beautification,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “This new funding opportunity is designed to help local groups assemble the resources they need to bring these positive experiences to their community.”

“The community gardens funded through this program will provide a source of enrichment for many years to come, and I thank Chairman Bergen and the Freeholder Board for introducing this new grant program,” said New Jersey State Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (District 20), whose advocacy for community gardening lead to the founding of Come Grow With Us! in 2009. “Come Grow With Us addresses the goal of making sure everyone has access to locally grown, fresh foods, and the Union County Means Green initiative is a key part of meeting the objective of sustainability and food access.”

The Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program is part of Chairman Bergen’s 2016 “Union County Means Green” 2016 initiative for environmental outreach. It builds on the County’s support for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County Master Gardeners program, which focuses on community nutrition and education.    

“This new grant program joins Union County residents with national efforts to raise awareness about the importance of gardening for a fit, healthy community, such as the USDA Peoples Garden Initiative and the Let’s Move! Initiative, and we are very excited to help this movement grow,” said Jonathan Phillips, Executive Director of Groundwork Elizabeth.

Funding from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants is available to non-profit civic organizations and agencies including historical societies, community centers, senior centers, municipal agencies or departments, and volunteer civic groups such as municipal Environmental Commissions and neighborhood associations. At this time funding is not available to schools or school districts.

The grants for new gardens are designed to take all of the guesswork out of creating a new community garden. The grant package includes planning, setup, maintenance, education and guidance, all provided in one package by Groundwork Elizabeth’s expert community garden team. Matching grants of up to $3,000 are available.

For existing gardens, matching grants of up to $3,000 are available for expansion or to replace critical infrastructure such as sheds, fences, new soil, and raised beds.

Applications for 2016 are due May 6, 2016. Union County will notify grant recipients by May 16, 2016.

More details and downloadable application forms are available on the County website, at ucnj.org/garden-grants.

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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:

Workshop for Museums, Schools & Non-Profit History Groups, April 20

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces the availability of two types of history grants for Union County-based non-profit groups and diverse organizations through the FY 2016 Union County History Re-grant Program funded by the New Jersey Historical Commission. The program is administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

A history grant-writing workshop will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, at The Carter House in Summit. Grant applications will be available at the workshop.

“The grant-writing workshop is intended for Union County-based non-profit historical societies, schools, museums, libraries, municipal governments and other groups seeking funding for a history project or event that promotes better understanding of Union County and New Jersey history,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.

There are general standards of eligibility as well as specific requirements for each grant:

• General Operating Support (GOS) grants provide assistance for the basic costs of operation (e.g. programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, etc.) to Union County based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $7,500.
• Special Project (SP) grants support history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum SP grant request is $5,000.  

To confirm attendance (recommended) at the April 20th workshop or to receive more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202. Telephone: (908) 436-2912. E-mail requests to jprescott@ucnj.org.

Funding for this program is made available through the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to support People Helping People, a nonprofit community organization based in Rahway, to produce the internationally acclaimed dark comedy God of Carnage at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway this weekend, April 7-9.

Embracing the art of theatre to address an important social issue, People Helping People’s production of God of Carnage gets to the root and nature of how society deals with bullying.

“The Union County Advancing Community Theatre program seeks to provide opportunities that draw people together to participate in collaborative art experiences,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to support the creative efforts of the community organization People Helping People to help explore important social issues and bring them to life on stage.”

Directed by Andrea Clinton, God of Carnage is a fast, furious and very, very funny, dark comedy about two sets of parents who meet to discuss the unruly behavior of their 11-year-old sons. However, in their own union, when niceties and manners go out the window, the God of Carnage rears its ugly head.

Written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, this Tony-award winning play is recommended for mature audiences.

Founded by Union County resident Andrea Clinton, People Helping People’s Arts and Entertainment program seeks to uncover life events through the art of theatre. “We chose to produce God of Carnage because it is a play that reflects everyday people, their conversations, their belief structures, behavior and disguises,” said director Andrea Clinton. “This play offers audiences a dialogue and imagery of everyday life events and issues, and we believe it’s a play that helps audiences examine their lives and choices.”

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Union County Advancing Community Theatre (UCACT) program, People Helping People’s production of God of Carnage will run for four performances at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage this weekend, Thursday, April 7 and Friday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 9 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. General Admission tickets are just $20. Student, Senior and Group discounts are also available through the UCPAC Box Office. For more information or to purchase tickets visit ucpac.org or call the UCPAC box office at 732-499-8226.

The UCACT program launched in 2015 as a special initiative of Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh during his chairmanship and continues on the footsteps of last year’s success, which included a diverse body of work including two original plays, a student production, a new community theatre organization, among others featuring the high-quality artistic talent of many Union County residents.

The UCACT program aims to provide a strategic platform to support the development of Union County’s rich theatre talent by leveraging existing resources and broadening the definition of economic development and public recreation to include support for community theatre. For more information about UCACT visit ucnj.org/ucact.