County of Union, New Jersey

Union County, NJ – The popular Union County Means Business (UCMB) series starts up again in 2013 with a new slate of free events designed to help the Union County business community connect with helpful resources and information. The first UCMB networking breakfast session is scheduled for Thursday, March 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Kean University in Union.

The highlight of this year’s UCMB series will be the “UCMB Women’s Summit,” a half-day of workshops and programs scheduled for June 19 at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course clubhouse.

“If you own or manage a business in Union County, or if you are planning to start one, I encourage you to put all of our 2013 UCMB events on your schedule,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Our goal this year is to help you learn about business development opportunities, the Affordable Care Act and Internet-based business strategies, and enable you to connect with resources that can help your business thrive in Union County.”

The topic of the March 28 kickoff session is “Legislative Outlook for Business.” Special guests include U.S. Representative Rush Holt and New Jersey State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Thomas Kean, Jr.

A presentation on the impact of Superstorm Sandy on Union County businesses is also included in the March 28 session.

“Business experts, legislators and policy-makers made UCMB a great success last year with their enthusiastic support and participation,” said Carter. “We are already seeing the same outstanding level of interest in 2013, and we are looking forward to a very fruitful year.”

This year, the UCMB event format has also been expanded to accommodate small group discussions on topics such as financing and e-commerce.

Union County Means Business started in 2012 as a Freeholder initiative of then-Chairman Alexander Mirabella, in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corporation, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College.

In addition to serving hundreds of participants through networking sessions, Union County Means Business has grown to include a free e-newsletter, a website that serves as an information clearinghouse, a new workforce affiliation with Union County College, and a special loan program through the Union County Economic Development Corporation.

All sessions are free and open to Union County business owners and managers, whether or not they live in Union County. Pre-registration is required, by visiting the Union County Means Business website atucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness.

 

For complete event details and schedules, for and more information, visit ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or call 908-527-4200.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (8th from left) and Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak (10th from left) join Union County parks volunteers and staff to honor the valuable contributions made through the Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail programs. (Photo: Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – The work of hundreds of 2012 Union County Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail volunteers was honored at a celebratory dinner last month, marking another year of outstanding efforts to help to preserve the County’s 6,768 acres of parkland. In addition to many on-going projects, volunteers played a key role in re-opening popular trails in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy

“Union County’s park system is a precious natural resource that thousands of residents and visitors enjoy year-round,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “These dedicated volunteers freely give their time to help keep our parks pleasant and enjoyable, and their efforts are truly appreciated by all.”

in 2012, more than 916 Adopt-a-Park stewards contributed more than 3,500 hours of labor on a wide range of tasks such as repairing fences, spreading gravel and mulch, picking up litter, removing invasive plants, and planting native species.

A total of 41 Adopt-a-Trail steward spent 250 hours to monitor the condition of more than 50 miles of hiking and bridle trails, and perform maintenance work including clearing clogged drains, pruning intrusive undergrowth and picking up litter.

One highlight of the year was the removal of 401 fallen trees that blocked trails after Superstorm Sandy, many of them large and fully mature. The work was performed by a specially trained Adopt-a-Trail chainsaw crew. In all, a total of 422 fallen trees were removed in 2012.

No experience is needed to join Adopt-a-Park or Adopt-a-Trail, and opportunities to volunteer are available for individuals as well as groups from schools, businesses, Scouts and other organizations.

An orientation meeting for Adopt-a-Trail volunteers is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. To pre-register for the session or to get more information about Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail, call 908-789-3683 or visit the Union County website atucnj.org.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, March 23, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner.

The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alcatel-Lucent Technologies facility located at 600 Mountain Avenue in New Providence.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

Electronic equipment that will be accepted on March 23 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, tablets and e-readers, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones, circuit boards, CD’s, DVD’s and video cassettes.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

 

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on March 23 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special March 23 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 16 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the websitewww.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit their web site: www.reconnectpartnership.com.

Best Buy stores now offer electronics recycling, including TVs, computer monitors, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Visit their website (www.bestbuy.com/) for store locations, or call toll-free for information about electronics recycling: 1-888-237-8289.

Staples also offers a computer recycling program seven days a week. For more information, visit the Staples web site for store locations: www.staples.com.

Waste Management accepts “covered electronics” (televisions, monitors, computers, etc.) at  629-647 Amboy Ave., Elizabeth 07201, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 908-629-9270.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset NJ 08873; 732-564-3110. Visit www.newtechrecycling.com .

For more information about recycling events, please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

 

Administrators and personnel from the Union County Child Safety Seat program recently put on an informational seminar on the laws, usage and installation of Child Safety seats at Plainfield High School for the Teen Parenting program.

l. to r. Christine Marcantonio (Union County Traffic Safety program coordinator), Yakima de los Reyes, Priscilla Aquino (Plainfield High School Senior Case Manager), Aaliyah Walton, Lyric Wheeler, Caylin Brown,Joseph Garcia, Kelly Toscano, Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright, Laura Garcia, Jaclyn Klutkowski (Child Passenger Safety Technician). Photo by Manuel Ramirez, County of Union

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites the public to attend Cut the Salt and Lower Your Blood Pressure, a two-hour class designed to help County residents trim their salt intake down to “heart smart” levels while enjoying balanced, great-tasting meals. The class will be conducted by Rutgers University nutrition expert Dr. Karen Ensle, head of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

Cut the Salt and Lower Your Blood Pressure is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm. at the Extension offices in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East. A $5.00 materials fee will be collected at the door and pre-registration is required by calling Judi Laganga at the Extension, 908-654-9854.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite members of the public to participate in a free workshop that will help create a plan for improving access to transportation, educational resources, economic opportunities and quality of life in the North Jersey region. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kean University STEM Building’s 6th-floor Conference Center, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

“This is a fun, interactive event that enables Union County residents from all walks of life to get on record with their concerns and their goals for improving our communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “It’s a unique opportunity to make your voice heard, and to have a say in setting Union County and the North Jersey region on a positive path to the future.”

The workshop is hosted by the Freeholder Board, Together North Jersey and the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority.

Together North Jersey is a voluntary partnership of counties, cities, towns, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions working together to develop a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development encompassing Union County and the surrounding area.

The effort is part of a national initiative, funded partly through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, aimed at helping cities, suburbs and rural areas plan to develop more sustainably and create livable communities.

“We have passed the stage in which economic growth was linked to pollution, traffic congestion and poor public health. Today we have the opportunity to create a more sustainable model that supports a growing, thriving commercial sector while enabling our communities to grow more pleasant, enriching and healthful, too,” said Carter.

Part of the workshop involves a group activity in which participants use electronic “clickers” to register their answers to questions about building stronger communities while encouraging economic growth.

The workshop also includes breakout sessions in which individuals and small groups can speak directly with planners and workshop hosts about living, working and getting around in the region, as well as “open house” sessions for informal discussion.

A light meal and child-friendly activities are also included.

More information is available online at togethernorthjersey.com. For those not able to attend the workshop in person, an opportunity to provide input is available at Together North Jersey’s www.engagenorthjersey.comonline project.

The Kean University STEM Building is easily accessible by mass transportation, and parking is free. For directions and more information about the workshop, including assistance with child care, transportation, language interpreters and audio assistance, contact Miriam Salerno at 848-932-2876 ormiriam.salerno@ejb.rutgers.edu.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to offer an “Aquatic WILD” teacher-training workshop for teachers of grades K-12, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The health of our water supply is becoming a topic of increasing concern,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This teacher-training workshop offers techniques for educating our students and making them aware of the issues, in a comprehensive and enjoyable program.”

Trailside is offering this new workshop, which is part of the Project WILD curriculum, for teachers in K-12 to learn new ideas and activities to bring back to the classroom. Developed by the Council for Environmental Education, in compliance with the New Jersey Core Curriculum standards, Project WILD Aquatic emphasizes aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. Based on the premise that young people and educators alike have an interest in learning about our natural world, this program underscores wildlife’s intrinsic value and addresses the need for us all to be responsible stewards of our planet.

Hands-on activities are designed for integration into existing courses of study for formal and non-formal educators. Participants receive six NJDOE professional education credits. A guidebook is included and morning refreshments will be served. The fee is $25 per person.

 

Pre-registration is preferred as space is limited. Walk-ins are welcome as space permits.

For additional information about this event or other upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? Do you need to log-in some hours for a community service project? Or maybe you’re an avid hiker, equestrian, bird watcher or nature lover who uses the trails in the Watchung Reservation or other Union County parks and you want to “give something back” to the parks system. Whatever the reason, mark Saturday, March 16, on your calendar and plan to attend Union County’s Adopt-A-Trail Orientation and General Meeting at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

At 8:30 a.m. on March 16, new trail stewards who would like to “adopt” a section of hiking or bridle trail will gather for orientation. At that meeting, potential trail stewards will be introduced to the Adopt-A-Trail (AAT) Program and may obtain a trail assignment.

From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., immediately following the meeting for new participants, the general meeting for all current and new trail stewards will be conducted. Both meetings will be held at Trailside Nature and Science Center located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Light refreshments will be provided.

Adopt-A-Trail participants are required to adopt their trail for a period of at least two years. Stewards are expected to remove litter, do minor pruning, remove invasive vegetation, clear drainage pipes and re-mark trails as needed. All AAT participants must attend an orientation meeting and a “general” meeting each year. They also need to complete and submit quarterly report forms.

Those who are not able to make a two-year AAT commitment are encouraged to attend one of the monthly trail work days, usually held on the first Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon (except in January and February). The next Saturday Trail Work date is set for April 6.

No experience is necessary to help out! By adopting a trail or participating in Saturday work dates, you can realize a sense of accomplishment, work outdoors, meet new people and learn a new skill.

The Adopt-A-Trail program was implemented in 2001 to complement Union County’s existing monthly trail maintenance program. There are approximately 26 miles of bridle trails and more than 13 miles of marked hiking trails that require attention in the Watchung Reservation and miles of other marked and unmarked trails in other county parks, including Lenape Park, Ash Brook Reservation and the Rahway River Parkway.

Preregistration for the Orientation and General AAT meetings and Saturday Trail Work days is required. Please call 908-789-3683 to register or go to www.ucnj.org for more information. Trailside Nature and Science Center is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Trailside Museum Association are seeking nominations for this year’s Environmental Hero Awards to honor and recognize individuals or groups who work for environmental protection and improvements in our community.

“We encourage our residents to nominate people in their community who have taken action to help the environment so they can be recognized for their efforts,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “People are working and inspiring others by organizing recycling and planting projects and living more sustainably. These people deserve to be acknowledged for their commitment to helping the environment.”

Each nomination must include an essay of 2,000 words or less describing why the nominee is qualified to receive the award, along with contact information for the nominee and the person submitting the nomination. Photographs may accompany the essay. All entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, April 12.

Trailside Museum Association board members will award prizes to the winners of the Environmental Hero Awards at “Wild Earth Fest” on Sunday, April 28. Nominations for the awards can be emailed tobnovorro@ucnj.org or sent to Becky Novorro at Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092.

Last year, the Woodruff Elementary School in Berkeley Heights was one of the recipients of an Environmental Hero Award. The school was chosen for its actions to improve energy efficiency, extend recycling programs, and continue planting projects that enrich the earth as well as their community. The school sets an excellent example of environmental stewardship by now using solar panels to provide half of the electricity used by the school.

For additional information on the Environmental Hero Awards or other upcoming programs or events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit online at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Bruce Bergen reads to children at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Springfield on March 1 during the Union County Education Association’s annual Read Across America event. Read Across America is an reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj