County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Just in time for the holiday shopping and travel season, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors that the new Union County Transit Map is available free online, and printed copies are free on request. The map displays all bus and rail routes and connections in the Union County area.

The map was developed as part of the 2016 Union County Transportation Master Plan in association with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, which provided funds for printing the map.

“The new Union County Transit Map enables commuters and travelers to see all of our regional bus and rail routes at a glance,” said Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, who is the First Vice Chairman of the NJTPA. “We hope that it provides County residents and visitors with a convenient way to explore all of their options for travel during this busy season.”

The map features train and bus routes along with hospitals, schools and airports in the area, including Elizabeth-Newark connections.

The Union County Transit Map is available as a free download at ucnj.org/transit.

To receive a free copy by mail, send a request to the Union County Public Office of Public Information at  info@ucnj.org.

Estrada also encouraged residents and visitors to visit Union County’s ConneXions website online at ucnj.org/connect, for quick links to transportation information including bus, rail, car, air, and bike routes.

Another transportation option is the Union County Paratransit System. Paratransit provides low cost rides to seniors, persons with disabilities and other eligible Union County residents. More information is available online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services.

 

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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.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the New Jersey Department of Corrections has awarded a grant of $200,000 to Union County. The funds will go to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs at the Union County Correctional Facility, for inmates with substance abuse disorders.

New Jersey committed a total of $1.7 million in MAT funding to county correctional facilities across the state. Union County was one of ten grant recipients.

“Our goal is to ensure that incarcerated individuals can make a fresh start and contribute to a stronger Union County on their release, and MAT programs are an essential part of that effort,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “With this additional state funding, we can provide the medical support that is proven to help former inmates get back on their feet and maintain sobriety.”

Grant recipients may only use the funds to purchase MAT medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The funding may apply to medications provided upon release as well as treatment during incarceration.

Introducing the MAT program during an inmate’s incarceration increases the likelihood of recovery sustainability and abstinence when they are released.

“A 2015 study shows that for opioid abusers, involvement in an MAT program during incarceration can reduce the risk of an early relapse,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Union County Mental Health Advisory Board. “These programs benefit the entire community by interrupting the cycle of drug abuse, crime and incarceration.”

The new MAT funding is one of Union County’s initiatives to address the opiate crisis. In 2017 Chairman Bergen also introduced an initiative to fund an additional 25 beds for in-patient treatment, and the Freeholder Board joined with the Union County Sheriff and Prosecutor to launch CLEAR, the Community Law Enforcement Addiction Recovery program. CLEAR aims to encourage eligible addicts to seek help through law enforcement agencies, by providing a “safe space” for connecting with recovery services.

Other actions in Union County include an expansion of Project Medicine Drop from two locations in in 2013 to 12 in 2017, a Drug Court program that provides nonviolent offenders with access to recovery services, and the Union County Opioid Response Initiative, which provides for the recipients of police-administered naloxone to connect with addiction recovery specialists at local hospitals.

Union County has also expanded its use of an in-house treatment program for County inmates who are housed at Delaney Hall in Newark. The program, which is funded by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, covers both alcohol and drug abuse services including counseling and life skills.

The Freeholder Board is also co-sponsoring “Knock Out Opioid Abuse,” a free town hall event at Kean University’s STEM Building auditorium, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5 (doors open at 5:00 p.m.).

The event features Freeholder Hudak, Dr. Andrew Kaufman of Atlantic Health System, Prevention Links Executive Director Pam Capaci and Ammon Foundation Executive Director Mariel Hufnagel.

More information about the Knock Out Opioid Abuse campaign and town hall series is available at knockoutopioidabuse.drugfreenj.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.

The County of Union’s Human Services Department has issued a Countywide Code Blue alert from today until Sunday evening in an effort to get the homeless population into shelter, as overnight temperatures are expected to plunge either below or around freezing  over the next few days.

The alert goes out from the county’s Department of Human Services, which notifies emergency shelters, social service workers, community organizations, and the County Police. The County Police get the word out to law enforcement personnel in all 21 municipalities. The early warning gives communities time to identify and locate people potentially in need of help. Shelters get time to arrange for extra beds using cots provided by the County. County and municipal police go on the lookout for persons needing shelter, and assist them with transportation.

If residents see a homeless person sleeping in these conditions at night, they are urged to contact their local police department to get them to shelter.

 

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen presents Union County College Head Coach Alex J. Louis with a resolution congratulating him upon his 300th win with the college’s mens soccer. The milestone came when the men’s soccer team defeated Cumberland County College 7-1 at Union County’s College’s home field site at Snyder Avenue Turf Field in Berkeley Heights. The coach has been at the helm of the men’s soccer program at Union County College for the past 21 seasons. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Eric Rubinson and Arthur Hearns of the Cranford Jaycees recognizing and commending them for their efforts in the Track Friday Fundraiser that focuses on hurricane relief and to purchase new instruments for Cranford Middle Schools.

On the day after Thanksgiving, or Black Friday, people are encouraged to participate by walking or running on local tracks to raise money for different charities.

Cranford’s Track Friday is hosted by the Cranford Jaycees, who will donate the proceeds to hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and new musical instruments for Cranford Middle Schools. Participants can also create individual fundraisers.

For more information about Track Friday visit www.trackfriday.org. To learn more about the Cranford Jaycees, visit www.cranfordjaycees.org.

The following information is provided by The Model Railroad Club, Inc.

www.tmrci.org

The 2016 annual Light and Sound Show opens Friday, November 25th

at The Model Railroad Club, Inc. in Union Township, NJ

More than 50 HO-Scale Model Passenger and Freight Train Cars on a 40×40-foot Layout Tells the Story of New Jersey Railroads in the 1950s.

WHEN:       NOV 24 – DEC 10 (Fri, Sat and Sun)

OPENING DAY: Friday, Nov. 24: 12:00 Noon-10pm

Then…

Fridays, 7-10 pm (Dec 1 and 8)

Saturdays, 10 am – 8pm (Nov 25, Dec 2, 9)

Sundays, 11am-8pm (Nov 26, Dec 4, 10)

WHERE:    Jefferson Avenue, off Route 22 East, Union Township, NJ
                   (Behind The Home Depot)

TICKETS:      Advance purchase at the Club’s ticket window and gift shop on Saturdays between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., or by mail.   Advance tickets available online on the Club’s website (www.tmrci.org/annual-show.html). Advance ticket prices are $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children (ages 3 through 15) and $5.00 for teens age 12 – 16. Prices are higher at the door on the days of the show.  Children age 2 and under admitted free of charge.  Group rates are available to groups of 10 or more persons (please contact the Club for pricing and additional information).                                                            

UNION, NJ – The Model Railroad Club, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity affiliated with the Union County, Department of Parks and Recreation.

Now in its 67th year, The Model Railroad Club INC. (TMRCI) presents its annual “Sound and Light Show” on its 11,000-sq-foot, historic layout. Viewed from an overhead gallery, and run by club volunteers from 14 to 90 years old, the 20-minute show (which runs repeatedly throughout the day/evening) features theatrical lighting and songs to evoke the history and magic of three regional New Jersey railroads of the 1950s.

Between shows, parents and kids can see the trains up-close on their 40×40-foot layout, as well as tour the 80×60-foot extension of the railroad that is still under construction and features a cork screw loop [too operate trains between two levels], hand-laid track, educational displays and video-feeds from trains as they make their way around the track.  There is also a double-decker N-scale layout (trains even smaller than HO) with operating trains and detailed scenes of New Jersey — including Port Reading harbor, steel mill and circus – in its own 30×27-foot showroom. The Club’s indoor G gauge layout will also be operating.  And there’s a snack bar, railroad/gift shop, and a play area for little ones, with Thomas trains and train videos.

All proceeds support the operations of The Model Railroad Club, Inc., one of the largest railroad clubs in New Jersey. The Club has approximately 170 volunteer members who help to fulfill the mission of the club to educate the general about the railroads and the industries they served in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area.

Under an arrangement with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, The Model Railroad Club has constructed and operates the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center, located in a mixed use area of the county’s Lenape Park off Route 22 East in Union Township.

TMRCI is open to the public every Saturday from 1 to 4 pm. The art and craft of model railroading is thriving in Union County. Club members are delighted to provide visitors with a behind the scenes look at our work. During your visit, if you have the itch, ask a member about joining.  On Tuesday evenings, in a closed session, members operate the three HO railroads using club time tables.

Free parking is available on site and the building is wheelchair accessible.

The Model Railroad Club, Inc. (TMRCI) Welcomes Senior Citizens

Many senior citizens love railroading and had model trains in the early years and practiced the hobby of model railroading. Now for many everything is packed in boxes or gone due to lack of space.  Come pay us a visit and renew the Joy.

The Club’s mission is to educate its members and the general public about the railroads, and industries they served, in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania area. This is accomplished through the building and operating of the Club’s scale model railroad displays, and by conducting research.

The Club was founded on February 17th, 1949, by four men who shared a common interest in model railroading. The club has grown to 100+ members and one of the largest model railroad displays in America.  Housed in an11,000 square foot building designed and specifically for model railroading by club members are three remarkable layouts: a N scale, a G scale and a massive HO scale.  The Building, located on Union County Lenape park land, was donated to the Union County Parks System.

The Club is open to the public most Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm (admission fee required). There is free parking on site and the facility is handicapped assessable.  This is the time to observe the operation of various types of trains and the ongoing construction of   the layouts. You may observe the operations from the gallery or walk through sections of the layouts. This also the time that members test new railroad equipment and teach their children and grandchildren modeling and to operate their equipment.

Once a year, (Nov.24, 25, & 26 Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10) the Club presents its annual “Sound and Light Show” on its, historic HO layout. Viewed from an overhead gallery, and run by club volunteers from 14 to 90 years old, the 20-minute show (which runs repeatedly throughout the day/evening) features theatrical lighting and songs to evoke the history and magic of three regional New Jersey railroads of the 1950s.

Between shows, grandparents and kids can see the trains up-close on their 40×40-foot layout, as well as tour the 80×60-foot extension of the railroad that is still under construction and features a cork screw loop [too operate trains between two levels], hand-laid track, educational displays and video-feeds from trains as they make their way around the track.  There is also a double-decker N-scale layout (trains even smaller than HO) with operating trains and detailed scenes of New Jersey — including Port Reading harbor, steel mill and circus – in its own 30×27-foot showroom. The Club’s indoor G gauge layout will also be operating.  And there’s a snack bar, railroad/gift shop, and a play area for little ones, with Thomas trains and train videos.

WHEN:           NOV 2\4 – DEC 10 (Fri, Sat and Sun)

OPENING DAY: Friday, Nov. 24: 12:00 Noon-10pm

Then…

Fridays, 7-10 pm (Dec 1 and 8)

Saturdays, 10 am – 8pm (Nov 25, Dec 2, 9)

Sundays, 11am-8pm (Nov 26, Dec 3, 10)

WHERE:         Jefferson Avenue, off Route 22 East, Union Township, NJ
                        (Behind The Home Depot)

Being a Member of The Model Railroad Club, Inc.

When you join The Model Railroad Club, Inc., you sign up to be a part of one of the largest and most dynamic model railroad clubs in North America; a club that stresses craftsmanship, education, and prototypical operation. Your participation at other club functions and model railroad activities is always welcomed. Experience is not required, but a good attitude is. If you share these values and have a passion for “The World’s Greatest Hobby”, then we may be the club for you. Several types of membership are available to suit your circumstances. Stop by the club or visit our website at www.themodelrailroadclub.org for more information. We look forward to meeting you.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to bring a sensory-friendly performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker to the stage at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway this Sunday, November 19 at 1:00 P.M.

Presented as part of Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series, this abridged, one-hour sensory-friendly performance of the Nutcracker is adapted especially to create an inclusive environment for children and adults with sensory sensitivities and other special needs.

Available now, all tickets are $8 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 sensory-friendly performance series is designed to help reduce disturbances at live performances to create an inclusive environment and increase access to the arts for children and adults,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to make this holiday classic accessible to families with children and adults of all abilities and needs.”

American Repertory Ballet brings the beloved classic Nutcracker to the stage with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, stunning, thrilling choreography and a cast of more than 100. A holiday tradition for more than 50 years (1964), American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker is one of the longest, continuously running Nutcracker productions in the nation. Directed by Artistic Director Douglas Martin, ARB’s professional company will be joined by select students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl named Clara and how a mysterious gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes.

Whether it’s your first time, an annual tradition, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience, ARB’s Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family to be transported and inspired.

For each of the performances in Union County’s Sensory Friendly Theatre series the theatre 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.

Save the dates – mark your calendar for the upcoming Sensory Friendly Theatre series performances on Sunday, January 21 as Champions of Magic take the stage for a spectacular evening of mystery and magic, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at each of the sensory-friendly performances. For more information on what to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre performance visit ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

For more information or to purchase tickets call the Union County Performing Arts Center, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org. The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

For information on additional Union County recreational programs for people with disabilities age five and up, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4781 or visit ucnj.org.

Union County, NJ – A group of student volunteers took to the water to help pitch in for the environment. As part of Union County’s Adopt-a-Park Program, earlier this fall the group rowed out to spruce up a “floating wetlands” demonstration project at Surprise Lake in the county’s Watchung Reservation, and they also helped repair a section of trail.

“The wetlands project shows how native plants can provide natural filtration for pollutants that enter the lake. It also contributes to biodiversity and provides sustenance for hummingbirds, butterflies and other pollinators,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Thanks to these volunteers, the project can continue to inform our efforts to foster a healthy environment in our County parks.”

The volunteer group consisted of teens participating in the Mitzvah Mania youth community service program of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey.

The wetlands project consists of two floating islands planted with swamp loosestrife, cardinal flower, blue flag iris, swamp hibiscus and other native species. Working from a rowboat, the students removed debris from the islands and replaced plants that were dead or missing.

“Native plants that like to get their ‘feet’ wet are ideal for natural filtration, but they don’t thrive when planted in the bed of the lake,” explained Bergen. “By floating them in pots on the surface, we allow the roots to grow in the water.”

 

The floating wetlands project in Lake Surprise was funded through the Union County Adopt-a-Park program. Three addition lakes and ponds in County parks are slated to receive floating wetlands.

Any individual or group can volunteer with Adopt-a-Park. Union County has 36 parks totaling almost 6,200 acres, and there are many ways to help out. To find out how to volunteer, and to learn more about Union County’s environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection at 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.

ROSELLE, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to celebrate the holiday season at the Warinanco Sports Center on Sunday, December 3.

Kick off the season with family and friends at the newly modernized facility in Warinanco Park from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Skate on the new ice rink ($4 for skate rental), visit with Santa and skate with his elves, sing holiday carols with the Celebration Singers, sit by the fire, or dine in the new café.

There will also be crafts and face-painting for all the kids in attendance.

“Everyone is welcome to join us for this special event to kick off the holiday and showcase our newly renovated facility,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

This event is free of charge, so come out and partake in the holiday spirit at the newly modernized Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive, Warinanco Park in Roselle, New Jersey.

For more information you can log on to ucnj.org/skating.

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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.