County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ — Union County’s new mobile Aging Service Kiosk (ASK) will host free information events at six public locations this September. The events are designed to provide residents with a convenient, friendly way to find out about services for the aging, and for their families and caregivers.

“Our seniors have found the new ASK program to be helpful this summer, and we are glad to be able to extend it into the fall,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is a member of the Union County Human Services Advisory Board. “If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, I encourage you to stop by at any one of the six upcoming events.

ASK is staffed by professionals with the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection of the Union County Department of Human Services. They will provide information and guidance on home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and other services.

They can also provide help with filling out applications and other forms, if needed. 

Union County residents may attend ASK events in any municipality. The events scheduled for September are:

Linden: Wednesday, September 7

Linden Public Library

31 E. Henry Street

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Clark: Monday, September 12

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Westfield: Thursday, September 15

Westfield Community Center

558 West Broad Street

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Mountainside: Friday, September 16

Mountainside Municipal Building

1385 Route 22 East

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Fanwood: Wednesday, September 21

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Berkeley Heights: Thursday, September 22

Berkeley Heights Public Library

290 Plainfield Avenue

10:00 a.m. to 12 noon

ASK is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection. The Division on Aging is an Area Agency on Aging  established under the Older Americans Act, as part of a national initiative to improve services for older adults since 1965.

For more information about ASK and other programs of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call 1-888-280-8226 toll free or visit online at 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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The Union County Parks Department is sponsoring a meeting with interested  mountain bikers regarding recommendations from the Watchung Reservation Trails Master Plan that would create a separate trail for bikers.

The meeting will be held Thursday, October 20th at 7 p.m. at the Trailside Nature and Science Center at the Watchung Reservation in Mountainside. There is no sign-up or reservation required. Parks representatives and a consultant will present information on the new trail to the group, and answer questions.

Please note this meeting is intended for interested bikers only, as the County will hold separate meetings for hiking and equestrian trails later this year.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will co-sponsor a special screening of “Thank You for Your Service,” an award-winning documentary that explores the nation’s superficial understanding of war trauma, including PTSD, and the flawed policies surrounding it. The movie will be shown on Wednesday, September 7th beginning 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Stage Theatre, 360 Hamilton Street, in Rahway.

“This documentary succeeds in calling attention to the mental health issues that many of today’s Veterans face upon returning from war, as well as calling for a new approach to these problems,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It’s a film all Americans should see to gain an understanding of what our Veterans are going through, and to begin a dialogue on what we can do to help.”

The film is being presented as part of Chairman Bergen’s UC HERO initiative for 2016, which assists Veterans. For more information, please go to: https://ucnj.org/uc-hero/

Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion involving  involving the film’s Director Tom Donahue, Producers Ilan Arboleda and Matt Tyson; Janna Williams, the founder of VET4U and a resident of Roselle; Richard Thompson, Union County Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs; Lt. Steven Brozak, a Westfield resident and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps, having served in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Caribbean. The panel will be moderated by Chairman Bergen.  Admission is free, however, those wishing to, may make a suggested donation of $3. The theatre is located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

“Less than 1 percent of the population serves in the military now, and that is part of the reason why the public is so largely unaware of the issues they are facing,” said Donahue, who hopes the film creates enough awareness to spark the creation of a Behavioral Health Corps as a Division of the Department of Defense.

 In fact, Donohue has created a website dedicated to the creation of the agency (and about “Thank You For Your Service) and hopes everyone who sees the movie will visit www.bhcnow.com to get involved. (Trailer: https://vimeo.com/156195376 )

“I believe very strongly in the power of documentary filmmaking to affect change,” Donahue said in a recent interview.

The issues that many of today’s Veterans face, including PTSD and suicide, are personal ones for Donahue, whose father and many relatives were Army Veterans. Also, one of Donahue’s closest friends committed suicide when he was 21-years-old.

The film opens with a quote from an op-ed by Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times in 2012 entitled A Veteran’s Death, a Nation’s Shame: “For every soldier killed on the battlefield this year, about 25 Veterans are dying by their own hands.”

“Thank You for Your Service” interweaves the stories of four Iraq War Veterans with interviews of top military and civilian leaders, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Admiral Mike Mullen, Generals David Petraeus and Loree Sutton, Nicholas Kristof, Dexter Filkins, Senator Patty Murray, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson.

The film examines why the military was not better prepared for the impact of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq on U.S. service members, the lessons forgotten from past wars and the need for wide-scale reform to prevent the loss of a generation of brave men and women.

The movie has been called “gripping, wrenching, and persuasive” by the Village Voice and “a film every American should see” by the Star Ledger. The Military Times said it is “generating Oscar buzz.”

The documentary is currently being shown at film festivals around the country, and is scheduled for theatrical release in early October. It won “Best Documentary at the GI Film Festival in DC, and the “Impact Award” at the Illuminate Festival.

Donahue has produced and edited numerous features and documentaries that, combined, have won over twenty­ five awards at such prestigious festivals as Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, SxSW, Venice, San Sebastian and TriBeCa. Donahue also directed the Emmy-nominated Casting By documentary (2013, HBO), which featured interviews with Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Al Pacino and others.

County Facebook page to feature Daily Remembrance of Residents beginning September 1st

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites members of the community to honor the memory of the 60 Union County residents who perished in the 9/11 attacks by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial, Sunday, Sept. 11th from the morning hours until 9 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office will provide a uniformed Honor Guard standing watch at the memorial from 6-9 p.m. and the public will be able to bring and light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks.

Prior to the event, the County Facebook page will mark the 15th anniversary of the attacks by remembering a resident who was killed in the attacks, beginning September 1st and continuing for 59 more days.

“We honor those who perished in the attacks and remember the many acts of bravery that occurred that day,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Being so close to New York City, there are very few in Union County who did not personally know someone, or the family of someone, killed or affected.  The County memorial provides a location that allows for peace and reflection that gives us strength and inspiration to continue forward.”

The Union County September 11th Memorial honors those lost in the attacks using design elements that include two girders from the World Trade Center arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame representing those who died in Pennsylvania. The Flame also honors members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003 the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost.

The Freeholder Board worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield in planning and building the Memorial.

It is located near the Springfield Avenue entrance of Echo Lake Park on the border of Mountainside and Springfield.

For additional information on the Union County September 11th Memorial, or information on visitation hours, contact the Union County Office of Public Information at 877-424-1234 or visit online at www.ucnj.org/9-11-memorial.

Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan and members of the Sheriff’s Office joined Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and local volunteers in making sandwiches at the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless as part of Assemblywoman Quijano’s 4th annual “Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation” food drive for the needy. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that 58 artists, historians and local non-profit organizations will receive funding through the 2016 Union County HEART grant program.

“This year’s HEART grants recipients are a dynamic mix of creative composers and writers, historians, visual artists, musicians and dancers along with arts, history and cultural organizations and civic groups,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We are looking forward to another successful year for this popular grant program.”

The HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) grant program recognizes the importance of culture and the arts for economic development and quality of life. It was established by the Freeholder Board in 1998 to support programming that connects Union County residents with innovative projects related to history, the arts and humanities.

Participation in HEART has grown steadily since its inception. The 2016 roster of 58 awardees is the largest group in the program’s history.

“Over the years, our HEART grant recipients have enriched and inspired thousands of Union County residents,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, the liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Affairs Advisory Board. “Our HEART grant artists are constantly surprising us with their talent and commitment to making art accessible to our many and diverse communities of all ages.”

To obtain information on the next round of HEART funding, artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs by phone at 908-558-2550 (NJ Relay users dial 711) or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. The office is located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.

Union County HEART Grants Awarded 2016:

• Brian Beste, Fanwood, $1,000, presenting art and photography workshops;
• Candace Waller, Fanwood, $900, providing free dance classes;
• Danielle Linares Hale, Fanwood, $1,000, presenting a community arts festival;
• Evelyn Elizabeth Tucker, Plainfield, $850, presenting a Black History Month classical music performance;
• Jillian Redeker, Union, $800, providing handmade hats etc. to chemo patients and babies;
• 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;
• Melinda Allen-Grote, Plainfield, $1,000, producing audio archive of Cuban 59er stories;
• Olivia Mendes, Scotch Plains, $1,000 producing a history tour book for children;
• Valerie Graham, Roselle, $1,000, presenting free crafts workshops for children and seniors;
• American Theater Group, Rahway, $2,500, presenting new play readings at Hamilton Stage in Rahway;
• Arts Guild New Jersey, Rahway, $2,500, presenting arts education for children and adults;
• Borough of Fanwood, Fanwood, $2,500, presenting a Fanwood Cultural Arts Performance Series;
• Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $1,000, presenting a free concert;
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County, Union, $1,500, providing visual arts classes to children;
• Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union, $2,000, presenting a performance with UCAPA at the Vo-Tech black box theater;
• CASA of Union County, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting arts workshops for child advocates;
• Clark Board of Education, Clark,  $900, providing digitized record of school yearbooks;
• Cranford Historical Society, Cranford, $1,000, exhibiting historic original newspaper articles and related historic items;
• Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $1,000,  presenting “Three Po’ Tenors” in concert for senior residents;
• Dreamcatchers Repertory Theatre, Summit, $1,700, presenting NJ premiere of “Shipwrecked, An Entertainment”;
• Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $1,500, presenting Hispanic Heritage Month concerts;
• Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,300, presenting 14^th Annual Tour de Elizabeth bicycle tour;
• Hillcrest Academy North, Scotch Plains, $2,200, providing interactive music programs to students;
• Hillside Victory Community Garden Club, $2,200, presenting HarvestFest 2016;
• Historical Society of Elizabeth NJ, $1,000, presenting historic song performance;
• Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $2,500, providing history archive inventory program;
• Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500, providing arts and culture classes to young children;
• Jardine Academy, Cranford, $2,000, providing art therapy classes for children with cerebral palsy;
• Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting arts programs for immigrant women;
• Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,000, presenting history exhibition for Four Centuries in a Weekend;
• Language & Enrichment Center INC, Scotch Plains, $1,200, presenting performances by preschool children of Italian winter songs;
• Life Drawing Studio Group, Fanwood, $2,000, providing visual arts workshops;
• Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,500, presenting music programs for U.C. Juvenile Detention Center;
• National Council of Jewish Women, U.C. Section, Elizabeth, $2,500, providing two intergenerational programs: a big band swing dance and a jazz band;
• New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $1,700, presenting live concert “Home for the Holidays”;
• New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, Berkeley Heights, $2,500, presenting a community concert;
• New Jersey Workshop for the Arts, Westfield, $1,500, presenting event for special needs children;
• Old First Historic Trust, Elizabeth, $1,700, providing presentations/workshops on historic cemeteries;
• Overlook Hospital Foundation, Summit, $2,500, presenting “Expressions” healing arts program;
• Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,300, presenting the play “My Lord, What a Night”;
• Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit, $2,000, presenting concert with jazz vocalist Cyrille Aimee;
• Restore Ministries, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,500, providing classes for youth to create video about local history;
• Roselle 24/7, Roselle, $500, providing a community-based arts festival;
• 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, $750, presenting a musical history talk and performance;
• Someone’s Daughter, Elizabeth, $2,000, providing a visual art and dance summit;
• Springfield Free Public Library, Springfield, $2,000, producing two museum exhibits;
• Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $1,500, presenting a free Jewish humor program;
• The Gateway Family YMCA, Elizabeth, $2,500, providing art workshops for Cerebral Palsy League;
• 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 a play about Black Wall Street;
• Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit $2,500, presenting a visual arts program for older adults;
• Westfield Neighborhood Council, Westfield, $1,000, presenting dance workshops;
• YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,000, presenting the “Y Sunday Brunch Series”.

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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.

Photo caption (photo attached): “Interior Designs,” a work choreographed by 2016 HEART grant recipient Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company.  (via: Carolyn Dorfman Dance)

Union County, NJ – Gardening enthusiasts gathered in New Providence on Monday to celebrate the official opening of the borough’s first community garden. In addition to the efforts of local volunteers, the 28-bed, fully fenced garden benefitted from strong municipal support. It also serves as an Eagle Scout project and it garnered funding from BASF, PSEG, Sustainable Jersey and the new Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program, which is funded by the Freeholder Board and administered by the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth. For more information about the program contact Groundwork or visit ucnj.org. (Photo: County of Union, NJ)

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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.