County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – Grandparents who are searching for holiday activities to share with their grandchildren can visit the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union Township and enjoy the Holiday Sound and Light Show, a seasonal display centered around an elaborately detailed HO scale railroad layout.

Visitors can also view a large, double-decker N-scale layout at the Railroad Center and visit the snack bar, railroad gift shop, and toddler play area.

The Railroad Center is located in a mixed-use area of Union County’s Lenape Park. It was built and is operated by the non-profit organization The Model Railroad Club, Inc. under an arrangement with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Sound and Light Show will take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting November 25 and ending December 11.

For a complete schedule and ticket information visit The Model Railroad Club online at tmrci.org/annual-show.

Directions: The A. Paul Mallery Center is conveniently situated in a mixed-use area of Lenape Park, off Route 22 East in Union Township, behind the Home Depot. Enter the Home Depot parking lot from Route 22 East or from Springfield Road, and go to the far end where the garden center is located. Turn left and follow a small sign to a service road behind the Home Depot. The Mallery Center is at the end of the road.

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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 recognition of Veterans Day, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites Veterans to take advantage of special Union County programs and services to support services through UC HERO.

UC HERO seeks to increase awareness of eligibility, entitlements, benefits programs, and services provided to veterans by various Government Agencies, including County Government. For more information about UC HERO please visit ucnj.org/uchero

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 on Sunday, November 20^th 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 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 increase access to the arts for children and adults with sensory sensitivities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to help 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 new sets (new first act scenery!), 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 an 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.

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 – Students and adults looking for community service opportunities are invited to volunteer for a cleanup event outdoors in the fresh air, at Union County’s Milton Lake Park in Rahway from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 19.

The event is hosted by the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador program and the Union County Adopt-a-Park program.

“Our Adopt-a-Park volunteers are deeply appreciated for all their work. They help keep our parks attractive for visitors while creating a healthier environment for native flora and fauna,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Volunteers are welcome to join individually, or as part of a group from a school, business, Scout troop or civic organization.

They will remove discarded fishing lines and invasive weeds, and clean up litter. Attendees should dress warmly and wear boots. Gloves, litter-grabbers and refreshments will be provided.

The Watershed Ambassador program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. It provides for a traveling educator to provide free presentations about watershed protection and water conservation for schools and community groups.

To RSVP for the Milton Lake cleanup event, or to inquire about scheduling a watershed presentation, contact the Union County Watershed Ambassador, Ismail Sukkar, at watershed7@ucnj.org or 908-789-3209.

Volunteers can also RSVP through the Milton Lake Park Clean Up event page on Facebook.

The group will meet in the park, opposite 959 Midwood Drive in Rahway.

For information on all other Union County Adopt-a-Park programs and events, visit online at ucnj.org or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, 908-789-3683.

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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 – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi invites veterans to use free services offered by her office, including proof of service identification, copies of their honorable discharges and an online directory of local businesses that offer discounts for veterans.

“If you are a veteran looking for ways to trim your household budget and get documentation of your service without incurring additional costs, please call or visit my office,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “My knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you with these services in recognition of Veterans Day, and every day of the year.”

Veterans can also visit Union County online at ucnj.org/uc-hero for quick links to additional services and programs of interest to veterans.

“Together with Ms. Rajoppi, the Freeholder Board has been working to ensure that our veterans and their families can access all of the information and resources available to them as quickly and easily as possible,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Veterans can call the County Clerk at 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a free military discharge documentation identification card. The ID card is available to any veteran who has filed an Honorable Discharge form DD-214. The card bears a book and page number confirming the honorable discharge.

Veterans can also call 908-659-7403 for information on obtaining a copy of their Honorable discharge form DD-214 free of charge.

The County Clerk’s office provides a Veterans Peddlers License free of charge to Union County residents. For more information on these licenses, call the County Clerk at 908-527-4967.

An online directory of discounts for goods and services offered to veterans by local businesses is available at the County Clerk’s Veteran Discounts page, ucnj.org/county-clker/veteran-discounts.

“Businesses interested in joining our directory can also visit the Veteran Discounts page and provide their information in a brief online form,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “I encourage our local business community to participate as a small token of appreciation for those who have served our country.”

For all County Clerk services, visit ucnj.org/county-clerk. Elections information is available from the County Clerk at unioncountyvotes.com.

UC-HERO is a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bergen, designed to increase awareness of government services and programs available to veterans. More information is available at ucnj.org/uc-hero or call the Union County Office of Veterans’ Affairs, 908-659-7407.

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Visit the County Clerk’s new elections website, unioncountyvotes.com.

For all other County Clerk services visit ucnj.org/county-clerk.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

Repost from the Social Security Administration

Every day—but particularly on Veterans Day—Social Security salutes those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Members of the United States armed forces receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability applications. The expedited process is available for any military service member who alleges he or she became disabled during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurred—at home or in the line of duty. Expedited processing is also available to veterans who have a compensation rating of 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) disability, regardless of when the disability occurred. Some dependent children and spouses of military personnel may also be eligible to receive benefits.

Visit our website designed specifically for our wounded veterans, www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors, where you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits available under the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Our website includes a fact sheet on the subject:  Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors.

You’ll also find a webinar, “Social Security for Wounded Warriors,” that explains the expedited disability process available to wounded warriors. The one-hour video is an introduction to disability benefits for veterans and active duty military personnel.  If you would like more detailed information about the disability process, you can watch our seven-part video series “Social Security Disability Claims Process” at www.socialsecurity.gov/socialmedia/webinars.

On the Wounded Warriors webpage, you’ll find links to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense websites. Please keep in mind that the requirements for disability benefits available through Social Security are different from those of the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

Military service members are covered for the same Social Security survivors, disability, and retirement benefits as everyone else. Although the expedited service is relatively new, military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957, and people who were in the service prior to that may be able to get special credit for some of their service.

Read our publication, Military Service And Social Security, to learn more. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. Also, navigate to www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.

Union County, NJ – A small vegetable garden tucked alongside the offices of the Coalition to House the Homeless in Elizabeth was the scene of activities all summer long for children in the nonprofit agency’s Bernice’s Place program.

The children grew a bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers and watermelon in the heart of the urban environment. Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados visited with (l-r) Coalition Executive Director Linda Flores-Tober, Jackie Park-Albaum of Groundwork Elizabeth, Bernice’s Place Coordinator Carina Grajales, and Master Gardener Amanda Leon to learn about the enriching experiences the garden provides for youth.

The Peace Garden received a grant from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, to help purchase a tool shed and other equipment. For information about Chairman Bergen’s grant program visit ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142.

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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 – A thriving organic produce garden fills the narrow front yard of Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, just off busy Westfield Avenue in Elizabeth.

In  support of the nonprofit agency’s motto, “never send anyone away empty handed,” the garden yields 1,600 pounds of fresh, organic produce for donation to seniors and families in need every year, including walk-ins seeking emergency food packages.

Executive Director Thomas Beck (2^nd l.) provided a tour of the garden’s late growing eggplant, broccoli, apples, collards and other crops to (l.-r.) Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski and Jackie Park-Albaum of Groundwork Elizabeth.

This year the garden received a grant from the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant program, a 2016 initiative of Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, to help continue its mission. The garden also features eight fruit trees donated by Williams Nursery.

For information about Chairman Bergen’s grant program visit ucnj.org or call the grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-558-1142.

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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 2016 Union County Transportation Master Plan is now available as a free download from the Union County website, at ucnj.org/tmp.

The Transportation Master Plan identifies the conditions, challenges and opportunities involved in moving people and goods in and around Union County. It is designed to help develop strategies for meeting current and future demands on transportation resources.

“The 2016 Master Plan represents a significant updating of conditions and emerging trends since 2002,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Union County is a key transportation hub for our region and our country, and this provides a valuable framework for making decisions about transportation improvements that keep up with changes in our economy and the needs of our residents, businesses and visitors.”

“Some of the most interesting tends that we are seeing are new technologies, such as autonomous cars, drones and electric vehicles,” said Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is a liaison to the Transportation Advisory Board and a delegate to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). “The rise of app-based ride services also presents new opportunities and challenges.” 

Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, who is a member of the NJTPA Board of Trustees, noted that several critical improvements have been achieved since the previous Master Plan was developed in 2002.

“The rail station in Union Township, redesigned traffic circles in Westfield and Clark, construction of new ramps on the Garden State Parkway and I-78, and the Route 1&9 viaduct project all demonstrate progress,” said Estrada. “There is much more work to be done, and the new Master Plan provides us with a platform for making effective decisions.”

The 2016 Transportation Master Plan includes information on Union County’s demographics, population growth, commuting patterns and climate change impacts in addition to detailed descriptions of every transportation mode from bike trails to airports.

The Transportation Master Plan was developed over the course of a full year through the Bureau of Transportation Planning, a division of the Union County Department of Economic Development, under a grant from NJTPA. The process involved participation by members of the public, local employers and business groups, advocacy groups, municipal officials, and regional stakeholders including NJTPA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

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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.