County of Union, New Jersey

 

Union County, NJ ­– Sixty members of the Union County 4-H clubs held their annual Project Night at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Friday, June 3. Club members exhibited a wide variety of projects including photographs, models, and games for one another to play, and they raised funds for donation to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.

“Project Night enables young people to showcase their skills and gives them the opportunity to help those at risk for hunger or food scarcity,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, we are very proud of all the students in our 4-H clubs.”

Members of the 4-H clubs brought baked goods, posters and project books for other members and their families to enjoy during Project Night. Highlights included a giant computer-enhanced keyboard made of aluminum foil and paper by the Technology Club, and hand built pinball machines made by the Engineering Club.

Participants in Project Night raised $65.00 through their activities, and donated the money to the Community FoodBank.

Union County 4-H is a youth development program run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. It is designed to enable students to explore their passion in a supportive environment that emphasizes life skills including team building, organization and public speaking. The clubs are open to students in grades 1-12.

The 4-H club meeting schedule runs concurrently with the school year. Interested students and their parents can meet the club leaders, get more information and sign up for clubs including archery, Cooking, Anime, Sewing, Engineering, STEM and many others at the annual Open House, held this year on Friday, September 23.

Attendance at the Open House is by pre-registration. To register, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org, or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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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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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the next mobile paper-shredding programs for personal, confidential documents will visit Rahway on Thursday, July 21; and Hillside on Saturday, July 23.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft by providing a convenient way to shred their confidential documents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “It promotes our County recycling efforts and ties in with Union County’s other green initiatives.”

The July 21^st shredding event will take place at Rahway River Park in Rahway, off Parkway Drive. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding personal documents from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity. The next shredding event will take place on Saturday, July 23, at the Old Bristol-Myers Squibb Building, located at 1350 Liberty Avenue in Hillside.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. This is a garbage-free event so please bring your documents in paper bags if at all possible. Plastic bags and boxes will be returned. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

Learn more about Union County’s Bio-Blitz at www.ucnj.org/bio-blitz

View more great videos at www.ucnj.org/tv

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that income eligible seniors age 60 and above can obtain free vouchers totaling $25.00 to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs at designated Farmers Markets in July.

“Jersey Fresh vouchers provide seniors on a limited budget with the means to stock up on fresh, nutritious foods from our local New Jersey farmers,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to participate in this program.”

Jersey Fresh vouchers can be used at any Farmers Market that displays the yellow and black WIC poster.

The $25.00 total is distributed in checks of $5.00 each, so that participants can spread out their purchases to ensure freshness. 

Seniors age 60 and older are eligible for the program if their annual income does not exceed $21,978 for a single person or $29,637 for a married couple. Proof of age, residency and income are required.

Eligible Union County seniors can apply to receive the vouchers by calling the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection toll free at 888-280-8226, or by visiting any of the sites listed below at the specified date and time. Proof of age, residency and income must be presented.

Seniors can also apply to receive vouchers, and pick up their vouchers, at any of these sites (as a convenience to participants, produce is available for purchase where noted):

For more information about the Farmer Market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource, call 1-888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737 or visit the county’s website, 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.

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Mountainside, NJ – Mark your calendars: the popular Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside Nature & Science Center begins on June 29 and continues through August 10. This family entertainment series starts at 1:30 p.m. each week and runs approximately 45 minutes. All shows are recommended for children ages 4 and up. Admission is $5.00 per person; $4/senior citizen and tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m.

“The Summer Wednesday Matinee Series at Trailside offers an educational yet entertaining and engaging afternoon for children and adults,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The season kicks off on June 29th with the GRAND FALLOONS, sponsored by the Union County Clean Communities. Children will enjoy magic, juggling and exciting circus fun as Professor W. takes them on a unique and lively exploration of “Our Earth.” This entertaining multi-media show explores such questions as what is litter, what happens to it after collection, and how, what and why to recycle. Abstract concepts are made accessible and engaging.

The series continues with WACKY SCIENCE, on July 13th, sponsored by the Trailside Museum Association. Audiences will delight in watching a ‘brave’ volunteer make a giant batch of slime! Participants learn about static electricity with a Van de Graaf generator, while experiencing a “hair raising” moment.  The program also features a dry ice demo.

On July 20, the lively pace continues with FUN WITH ENERGY. Mixing comedy and music, Jeff Boyer juggles, sculpts and builds with bubbles. Audiences will find this an energy filled ride.

PRISMATICA follows on July 27. Audiences will sing, clap and rock the house down, with this new laser show set to today’s positively themed pop/rock music. 

On August 3rd, RIZZO’S REPTILES brings an engaging program blending nature and conservation, which features live lizards, snakes, turtles and an alligator.

The final show of the 2016 season is HOCUS POCUS on August 10th. This program is a perfect blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement.

For additional information about the Wednesday Matinee Series or other upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

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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 – Students looking to get more involved with businesses, organization and institutions in Union County while burnishing their skills can apply for volunteer positions through SHOUT, the Students Helping OUT program of the Union County Department of Human Services.

“If you are looking for a position that enables you to sharpen your academic skills and work habits while helping to affect positive change in our community, the SHOUT program can connect you with opportunities for a productive volunteer experience,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who is the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the Workforce Investment Board and the Labor Advisory Board.

“A healthy, thriving community depends upon our ability to forge bonds between one generation and the next,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “This program involves our citizens, parents, schools, community leaders and business owners in a collaborative effort to provide students with valuable experiences they can draw upon throughout their lives.

SHOUT offers a wide range of resources to help high school students complete their required high school community service hours, develop new relationships with local businesses, and network with people who are committed to ensuring that students are prepared for the future.

To begin the application process for a volunteer position through SHOUT, use the online form at ucnj.org/youth or call the Office of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services, 908-558-2520.

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 Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright and Linda Carter thank Bayway Fire Chief Jeff Merrill and Phillips 66 Community Relations Coordinator Mary Phillips for donating a smoke generator to the Union County Fire Academy in Linden. They were joined by Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran, Emergency Services Director Christopher Scaturo and Union County Fire Academy Dean Deputy Chief Steve Ruhl. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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Union County, NJ – Members of the public have a unique opportunity to see the benefits of rain gardens, porous pavements and other examples of green infrastructure, by joining a half-day bus tour of sustainable landscaping at five sites in Summit, Springfield, Clark, Rahway and Mountainside.

The green infrastructure tour will take place on Tuesday July 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., conducted by experts from Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Rahway River Watershed Association.

“The Freeholder Board is very proud to support the Extension’s efforts to encourage sustainable landscaping practices throughout our 21 municipalities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “If you work with a municipal agency or belong to an environmental group, please take advantage of this unique learning opportunity.”

Landscapers, business owners and residents are also invited to attend.

The tour is designed to demonstrate the ways in which green infrastructure can help prevent excess runoff from storms and melting snow.

Green infrastructure can also cut maintenance costs while adding attractive features to a property.

The rain-or-shine tour will visit green infrastructure at schools, libraries, public works yards, and private homes. The examples include rain gardens that use special soil and native plantings to reduce excess stormwater, porous asphalt surfaces that enable excess rain and snowmelt to seep into the ground, and cisterns for rainwater harvesting.

“In addition to its bottom line benefits, green infrastructure helps to keep contaminants out of our rivers and streams,” said Bergen. “It’s a win for the property owner, and for our environment.”

The cost of the tour is $20.00 per person. The bus will leave from Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, at 9:30 a.m. and return at 1:00 p.m. Free parking is located on site.

Participants can register online at tinyurl.com/raingardentour. Payment must be received by Thursday, July 14.

For more information about the green infrastructure tour contact Michele Bakacs, County Environmental Agent, at (732) 398-5274 or mbakacs@rutgers.edu.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. To learn more about its programs and services visit online at ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.

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.