County of Union, New Jersey

Fundraiser Supports Union County Magnet High School Project Graduation

Foodies, enjoy delectable food trucks, DJ music with fun for the kids, all for a great cause Union County Magnet High School Project Graduation Food Truck Festival on Saturday, September 22nd from 11 am to 5 pm at 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains.

Come to the Union County Magnet School Truck Festival and indulge in all your favorite food fantasies, with dishes like savory short rib tacos, Dr. Pepper braised pulled pork, crispy empanadas,  Puerto Rican delicacies, shish kabobs, hot dogs, Kona shaved ice specialties, and over the top milkshakes thanks to the donut brimming over each shake. Admission $5 per person, children 5 and under free. 

Current list of food trucks

• Carnivale Donut
• El Lechon de Negron
• Empanada Guy
• The Lab
• Kona Shaved Ice
• The French Quarter
• RS Foods Shish Kabobs

Union County residents seeking information about services available for senior adults age 60 and above will have a choice of six (6) dates and locations in October to speak with staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging.  Staff will be present at public libraries in Westfield; Clark; Plainfield; Summit; and, Union, and at the Rahway Senior Center.

“The purpose of “ASK” is to help residents obtain government programs and services available to seniors and their caregivers”, said Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  “The ASK program will bring our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff, based in Elizabeth, to locations throughout Union County to make it easier for residents to get expert assistance close to home.”

Staff from the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection/ADRC have been traveling throughout Union County providing information about services such as home delivered meals; respite care; home care; adult day care; and, support services for caregivers through the Aging Services Kiosk or ASK community outreach effort.  Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

The October 2018 dates and locations are:

Monday, October 1
Westfield Public Library
550 E. Broad Street
Westfield, 07090
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Thursday, October 4
Rahway Senior Center
1306 Esterbrook Avenue
Rahway, 07065
10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, October 15
Clark Public Library
303 Westfield Avenue
Clark, 07066
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Friday, October 19
Plainfield Public Library
800 Park Avenue
Plainfield, 07060
10:00 am to 12:00 noon

Monday, October 29
Summit Public Library
75 Maple Street
Summit, 07901
10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Tuesday, October 30
Union Public Library
1980 Morris Avenue
Union, 07083
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm

All Union County residents are welcome to attend these ASK events.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection’s (ADRC) goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

“The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Union County’s Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527- 4870 or 4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863.  Information may be viewed on the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org. 

 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados joined Union County College President Dr. Margaret McMenamin and students at the opening of the college’s Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic Serving Institution Week Celebration at the Union County College Cranford campus. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Improvement Authority joined with Federal, State and local officials, including Governor Phil Murphy in officially dedicating the former Park Madison government complex as the Assemblyman Gerald B. Green Plaza in honor of the late Plainfield resident.

Green served 27 years as one of Union County’s most popular and enduring elected officials in the State Assembly for the 22nd district. He championed the creation of the complex in 2004, which includes County social services, State job training services and private businesses, serving as an anchor for revitalization in Plainfield’s Downtown. Green’s widow, Wanda, and brother Sheldon spoke at the ceremony, which was emceed by Green’s legislative running mate, State Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (D-22), and included tributes from Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp, Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

Union County residents interested helping to conserve local nature habitats can join the County’s new volunteer Watchung Reservation Invasive Plant Strike Force.

“Our Strike Force volunteers will help create a more welcoming, healthy habitat for native wildlife including birds, butterflies and other valuable pollinators,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Volunteering in our County parks is a very satisfying way to give back to the community and make a real impact on our local environment.”­­­

The Watchung Reservation is Union County’s largest park and nature conservation area. Members of the Strike Force will be trained to identify and eliminate invasive species that have been encroaching into the park.

Invasive plant species are not challenged by natural foragers or competitors. As they spread, they displace other plants. Invasive species have a destructive ripple effect that displaces wildlife as well as other plants.

The Strike Force training is offered through the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 

The training session will take place on Sunday, October 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Light refreshments will be provided.

The session will be led by Michael Van Clef, Ph.D., Stewardship Director for Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space and a co-founder of the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team.

Participants will learn about the problem of invasive species, and learn how to identify the biggest and newest offenders. They will learn monitoring and eradication methods through hands-on demonstrations.

Volunteers who sign up for the Strike Force will be assigned specific sections of the Watchung Reservation to monitor.

The training session is free but registration is required online at tinyurl.com/y9xzlezr.

For additional information, contact Betty Ann Kelly of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at bkelly@ucnj.org or 908-789-3683.

All visitors attending the Rockin the Reservation event on Saturday, September 30 are welcome to walk the new Union County Sensory Friendly Trail located in front of the Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Rockin the reservation, formerly known as Harvest Festival will run from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., featuring musical performances by Copperline Shine and October Rose.

“The Union County Watchung Reservation Sensory Friendly Trail is specially designed for park visitors of all ages and abilities and provides a way to safely experience the outdoors with opportunities to interact with nature,” says Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The Sensory Friendly Trail, which officially opened in August, is a 0.3 mile ADA accessible loop with a central gazebo.  The trail winds gently through the woods with guide ropes and features multiple interpretive signs to learn about the local flora and fauna with 3D reliefs and Braille for the visually impaired. There are two talking audio kiosks highlighting the natural and human history of the Watchung Reservation, a 2,142 acre preserve and the largest park in Union County.  

The central gazebo offers a sensory play area to attract children and encourage exploration and discovery.  Sensory stimulation is provided through sensory gardens, musical components and nature-themed play structures designed to meet the physical, social and cognitive needs of different age groups. All of these elements on the trail provide tactile experiences and create opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.    Raised garden beds add color and beauty to this multi-dimensional experience, providing the visitor the opportunity to use their sense of sight, smell and touch. 

To further engage children, creative projects will be offered under the new gazebo on September 30 sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited in Scotch Plains.  Decorate a bird feeder and fill it with seed to take home and hang for your backyard birds.  Make a butterfly craft, meet a turtle and visit the Trailside Touch Table.  There is no fee for these activities.

In addition to music, Rockin the Reservation will feature art demonstrations, interactive art and music, a petting zoo, pony rides, scarecrow building, a pumpkin patch, multi-cultural dancing, music demonstrations, food trucks and instruments to play.   

Admission to Rockin the Reservation is $5, with children ages 7 and younger admitted free of charge. For more information, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/fall. 

Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.       

Union County Freeholders Bruce H. Bergen, Angle G. Estrada and Alexander Mirabella joined Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli in welcoming Master Sgt. Richard Thompson (Ret.) of the Union County Office of Veteran Services as the guest speaker at the Union County Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Remembrance Day ceremony in Elizabeth. Also in attendance were Roselle Park Mayor Carl Hokanson, Union Committeeman Clifton People and Kenilworth VFW 2230 Commander Robert Jeans.

The annual event is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders to honor and remember prisoners of war and those missing in action. The National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed each year on the third Friday of September.