County of Union, New Jersey

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that 61 artists, historians and local non-profit organizations will receive funding through the 2017 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program.

Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to our economy and quality of life, the Union County Freeholders established the HEART Grant Program in 1998. This innovative program supports projects related to history, the arts and humanities, and it demonstrates a commitment to the artists and community organizations of Union County. Total funding for this year’s grants is $100,000.

“The recipients of HEART Grants are a wonderful mix of creative individuals including composers and writers, historians, visual artists, musicians and dancers, as well as arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The response to the program has been exciting ever since its inception.”

Artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations that want information about next year’s HEART Grant Program can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or send E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org

Union County HEART Grants Awarded 2017 (Total $100,000)

• Brian Beste, Fanwood, $1,000,  presenting art and photography workshops
• Candace Waller, Fanwood, $1,000,  providing free dance classes
• Lesl Harker, New Providence, $1,000,  presenting Irish music workshop and concert
• Lowell Schantz, Westfield, $1,000,  presenting two free jazz concerts in Union County libraries
• Renaee Smith, Roselle, $700,  providing Writers Café workshops
• Valerie Graham, Roselle, $1,000,  presenting free crafts workshops for children and seniors
• Borough of Fanwood, Fanwood,  $2,200,  presenting a Fanwood Cultural Arts Performance Series
• Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $1,000,  presenting a free concert
• Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union,  $2,000,  presenting a dance festival
• City of Plainfield, $2,500,  provide historic cemetery restoration
• Community Access Unlimited, Elizabeth, $1,000,  providing a choral concert of students
• Continuo Arts Foundation, Summit, $1,500,  presenting a holiday concert
• Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $1,000,  presenting the “Three Po’ Tenors” in concert for senior residents
• Dreamcatchers Repertory Theatre, Summit,  $1,700,  presenting the NJ premiere of “What Stays”
• duCret School of Art, Plainfield, $2,300,  presenting an art lecture series
• Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $1,500,  presenting Hispanic Heritage Month concerts
• Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, $1,000,  providing art education for homeless children
• Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,000,  presenting the 15^th Annual Tour de Elizabeth bicycle tour
• Hanson Park Conservancy, Cranford, $600,  presenting “Olmstead by Design” program
• Hillcrest Academy North, Scotch Plains, $2,000,  providing interactive music programs to students
• Historical Society of Elizabeth NJ, $1,000,  presenting a history panel discussion
• Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $2,500,  providing a Nathaniel Drake Family Genealogy Project,
• HomeTowne Television, Summit, $1,000,  presenting a Union County history TV series
• Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500,  providing arts and culture classes to young children
• Jefferson Parks Ministries, Elizabeth, $1,700,  presenting an art education program for children
• Jewish Community Center of Central NJ, Scotch Plains, $2,200,  presenting a cultural appreciation series for Seniors
• Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting arts programs for immigrant women
• Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,000,  presenting a Living History exhibition
• Language & Enrichment Center INC, Scotch Plains, $1,000,  presenting performances by preschool children of Italian winter songs
• Life Drawing Studio Group, Fanwood, $2,000,  providing visual arts workshops
• Miller-Corey House Museum, Westfield, $1,000,  presenting a benefit concert
• Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,500,  presenting music programs for U.C. Juvenile Detention Center
• Musical Club of Westfield, Westfield, $900,  presenting a benefit concert
• National Council of Jewish Women, U.C. Section, Elizabeth, $2,400,  providing two intergenerational programs: a big band swing dance and a jazz band
• New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $1,700,  presenting a live concert “Home for the Holidays”
• New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, Berkeley Heights, $2,300,  presenting a community concert
• New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, Westfield, $1,000,  provide chamber ensemble concerts
• Occupational Center of Union County, Inc., Roselle, $2,500,  presenting art education classes for people with disabilities
• Old First Historic Trust, Elizabeth, $1,000,  providing presentations and exhibit on historic cemeteries
• Overlook Hospital Foundation, Summit, $2,400,  presenting “Healing Caregivers” healing arts program
• Peruvians for Progress, Elizabeth, $1,800,  presenting a free traditional Peruvian Christmas celebration
• Plainfield Symphony Society, Plainfield, $1,600,  presenting a free symphony concert
• Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,200,  presenting the play “Black Tom Island”
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, $2,000,  presenting concert with jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee
• Roselle 24/7, Roselle, $1,000,  providing community-based arts festival
• Roselle Board of Education, Roselle, $1,500,  presenting a high school performing arts program
• Roselle Park Historical Society, $1,000,  presenting local history speaker series
• SAGE Eldercare, Inc., Summit, $2,200,  presenting free musical performances to older adults
• Saint Theresa School, Kenilworth, $1,800,  providing two student theatrical productions
• Second Westfield Senior Citizens Housing, Westfield, $1,000,  providing an interactive education program for Seniors
• Stony Hill Players, Summit, $2,000,  presenting children’s theatrical productions
• Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $1,200,  presenting a free Klezmer concert
• The ARC of Union County, Springfield, $2,300,  presenting an interactive concert series
• The Theater Project, Union, $2,000,  presenting theatrical performances in Union
• Union Township Community Action Organization, Inc., Union, $2,500,  presenting Senior Choral performances in nursing homes
• Union Township Historical Society, Union, $1,000,  presenting history programs for students 
• United Youth of NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500,  presenting an historical play about the Emmett Till Story
• Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit $2,300,  presenting a visual arts program for older adults,
• Westfield Neighborhood Council, Westfield, $2,000,  presenting dance workshops
• Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, Berkeley Heights, $1,000,  presenting free musical performances
• YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,000,  presenting the “Y Sunday Brunch Art Series”

#  #

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 – If you are looking for an enjoyable volunteer opportunity that puts you in touch with nature and helps “grow” environmental awareness in Union County, join the Master Tree Stewards of Union County.

Master Tree Stewards train each fall by participating in guided walks at nature preserves in the Union County area. Each spring they fan out across Union County to share their knowledge of trees with fourth grade students.

“Over the years, our Tree Stewards have helped thousands of Union County children learn how important it is to preserve and protect our urban and suburban treescapes,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “They make an invaluable contribution to the health of our environment, and the Freeholder Board is proud to support them.”

The Master Tree Steward program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, which brings local residents together with experts from Rutgers University.

No previous teaching experience is needed. Volunteers who complete the fall training achieve Master Tree Steward certification and are qualified to present the Extension’s tree lesson to fourth grade students. They also receive lesson kits and ongoing guidance from Rutgers staff.

“It’s no wonder that children love the Master Tree Steward classroom visits,” said Bergen. “The lesson consists of games and hands-on activities that make learning fun.”

Master Tree Stewards also participate in tree plantings and other outdoor conservation activities in Union County.

To obtain a Master Tree Steward application, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 ext.3 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Applications must be submitted by August 31.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part with funding from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and is headquartered at the Colleen Fraser Building at the county services complex in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

For more information about the Extension and all Union County environmental programs and activities, including 4-H youth clubs and the Master Gardeners program, visit The Green Connection online at ucnj.org/green-connection.

#  #

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:

 

 

 

Freeholders Announce Additional Farmers Market
Voucher Distribution Date

Union County, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce one additional distribution of 2017 Farmer’s Market program, which provides free vouchers for income-eligible seniors to purchase fresh produce from participating farmer’s markets.

The Farmer’s Market program enables income eligible adults age 60 and above to obtain five free vouchers worth a total of $25.00 to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs.

In Union County, the final voucher distribution of the season will be held on Thursday, August 24 at the Roselle Community Center, at 1268 Shaffer Avenue in Roselle, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Seniors from any municipality in Union County can apply for the vouchers, if they have not received any in 2017.

To meet the eligibility requirements, a single person’s annual income cannot exceed $22,311 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $30,044. To receive a voucher, seniors should be prepared to show identification with their age, residency and income. A Medicaid card, SSI, SNAP (Food Stamp), annual pension, or social security statement may serve as proof of eligibility.

For more information about the Farmers Market nutrition program, and all other services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource, call 888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737, or visit the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

# #

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.

 

CLARK, NJ—The Union County Summer Arts Festival Concert Series for 2017 will come to a close at Oak Ridge Park in Clark on Wednesday evening, August 23, with a performance by New York State of Mind, performing the music of Billy Joel. Show time is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

New York State of Mind celebrates one of the greatest singer/songwriters of our time. The band’s precise renditions of Joel’s classic songs are certain to move both casual listeners as well as hardcore fans to their feet and have them singing along with all the well known and loved classics.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from Café Gallo and the Good Humor Man.

As always the Union County Get Fit Yoga program will precede the concert, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. Conducting the yoga program on August 23 will be Hot Yoga Revolution of Cranford.

“This will be the final opportunity for residents to enjoy the great musical entertainment in beautiful Oak Ridge Park, so gather your family and friends and spend an evening in the park,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.
# #
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 invites military personnel and service providers to a free UC HERO networking mixer on Wednesday, August 23 at the Clubhouse at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

“Experience in the military has provided many Union County residents with valuable skills and training,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We’ve designed this mixer to help our veterans and active duty military connect with more resources and apply their unique life skills to new opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.”

The UC HERO networking mixer is free and includes complimentary food tastings.

Pre-registration is required by contacting Janna Williams, 908-527-4918 or jwilliams@ucnj.org.

UC HERO launched in 2016 as an initiative of Chairman Bergen, with the mission of enhancing opportunities for education, employment and well-being for eligible veterans and active duty service members and their families in Union County.

Other upcoming special events include the first UC HERO camping trip, to be held September 16-17 at the Scout campground in Union County’s Watchung Reservation.

For more information about the camping trip, all UC HERO programs and activities, and the Union County Office of Veterans’ Affairs visit online at ucnj.org/uc-hero.

#  #

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 and the County Manager congratulate Frank Guzzo of Fanwood on his retirement after 42 years of service with the County of Union. Frank was appointed Director of Human Services in 1990 and has since served as Union County’s Director of the Department of Human Services for 27 years. He leads Union County’s largest government service unit with a staff over 800 and is the longest serving active human service director in the State of New Jersey. The Freeholder Board thanks Frank for this extraordinary effort, hard work and dedication to public service and wishes him a full and happy retirement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Linda Carter, Bette Jane Kowalski and Vernell Wright present a resolution to Chief YWCA of Union County Executive Officer Janice Lilien and YWCA Director of Development and Marketing Jennifer Vriens congratulating them on the work the organization performs and designating August 26 each year as Women’s Equality Day in Union County. August 26, 1920 was the day of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, securing for women the fundamental right to vote. The YWCA of Union County opened in 1920 and has been serving the women, children and families of Union County ever since.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)