County of Union, New Jersey

Become a 4-H volunteer and help create life-changing experiences for youth in your community. Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is seeking adult volunteer leaders for their 4-H LEGO Robotics Club and Pet Club this fall.

“Volunteer leaders are a valued and essential part of 4-H youth development programs helping students to explore their interests and share them with the community in a supportive and collaborative environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H and its guiding principles of thoughtfulness, community service and healthy living.”

Union County’s 4-H LEGO Robotics Club engages students in 5^th and 6^th grades in hands-on technology experiments that focus on science, mathematics and language concepts. Students explore LEGO robot building with typical LEGO bricks, sensors, a motor and a few other specialty pieces. The basics of programming, engineering, and constructing are all part of the process. Students are encouraged to use creativity, teamwork and problem solving.

Union County’s 4-H Pet Club provides 1^st and 2^nd grade students who love pets a fun opportunity to learn all about pet care while developing key life skills including teamwork and decision making. Students explore animal ownership responsibilities including, grooming, training and exercise, feeding, and safety.

Both Union County 4-H clubs will meet at the Collen Fraser Building in Westfield on Saturday morning starting in September. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides training for adult leaders and curriculum materials for each club. For more information or to apply for the Union County 4-H adult volunteer leader positions please contact Jim Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent at 908-654-9854 or email him at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County 4-H Clubs are run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The clubs belong to a 100-year American tradition established by the U.S Department of Agriculture by an Act of Congress, originally meant to help rural communities connect with useful information about agriculture and family health.

Over the years, 4-H has kept pace with the shift to urban and suburban life, using popular activities to help youngsters to engage in civic affairs and develop related skills such as teamwork and public speaking.

In Union County, the current 4-H slate includes modern clubs like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design. The program also offers traditional favorites such as horticulture, cooking and archery. Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.

For more information about Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County 4-H clubs visit ucnj.org/rce or call 908-654-9854.

Union County, NJ – Registration is still open for the fourth annual Union County Women Mean Business Seminar, a half-day of workshops designed to help women business owners and managers succeed in today’s competitive economy.

 “Starting a business is one of the most challenging and rewarding endeavors you can undertake, and this seminar will help provide you with new insights that can help make your efforts pay off,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The workshops include Art of the Ask, Turning Your Passion Into Profits, Uncovering Your Female Genius and other topics of particular interest to women in the business community.

“Many of the effective skills that you can develop in business also cross over into the non-profit sector, so if you run a non-profit or work for one, I encourage you to attend the seminar and learn how your organization can benefit,” said Bergen.

At the seminar, women will have the opportunity to network with experts and thought leaders in both the business sector and the expanding non-profit sector. The keynote speaker is Debra Vizzi of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, an organization that has distributed approximately $1 billion worth of donated food since its founding in 1982.

The Union County Women Mean Business summit takes place on Wednesday May 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

A modest registration fee of $40.00 per person includes the full program with lunch, a networking cocktail hour (cash bar), and prize opportunities including round trip air fare.

Pre-registration is required by visiting Union County Means Business online at ucnj.org/ucmb.

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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.

 

This past weekend Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel G. Estrada attended the 27th Annual Union County Spring Garden Fair at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

This event was a success with many gardeners look forward to this spring garden fair every year. Gardeners can get free, reliable tips from the Master Gardeners of Union County who are trained and certified volunteer by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with the support of the Freeholder Board.

Pictured from left to right are: Richard Leister (President of Union County Masters Gardens), Madeline DiNardo (County Agriculture Agent), Fred Taylor, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, Joanne Krueger (Chair of Spring Gardens Fair

Union County, NJ – The Friends of Lenape Park “Nighthawks” birding team surveyed their namesake park on Saturday, May 14 as part of the 33^rd Annual New Jersey Audubon World Series of Birding. The event was a success and the team recorded a total of 83 different species within the designated 24-hour period.

“Congratulations to the Nighthawks team and many thanks for their work on behalf of habitat conservation in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Due to their efforts we now have an updated catalog of the many different species that make their home in and around Lenape Park.”

During the World Series “Big Day” event on May 14, the Nighthawks covered approximately 400 acres in Lenape Park to arrive at the official count of 83 species. They recorded their findings by sight or sound, as called for in the event guidelines.

Among the notable highlights, the team identified all of woodpeckers that are known to inhabit the park: red-bellied, hairy, downy, flicker, and the “big guy,” a pileated woodpecker. Pileated woodpeckers, known for their dashing red crests, are the largest woodpeckers known to inhabit North America.

New Jersey Audubon introduced the first World Series of Birding in 1984, and since then teams have recorded a total of 330 different species throughout New Jersey.

“The Nighthawks figure of 83 species represents a full 25 percent of the historic statewide total, demonstrating the importance of Lenape Park for conservation in our area,” said Bergen.

Lenape Park’s diverse habitat includes wetlands, forests and open fields. It is located near the center of Union County, bordered by Springfield, Kenilworth, Cranford and Westfield.

For maps and directions to all County parks visit the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation online at ucnj.org/parks-activities.

The World Series of Birding helps to raise funds for conservation projects and environmental causes. Donations to the Nighthawks are still being accepted at the team’s web page, at worldseriesofbirding.org.

To volunteer on conservation projects in County parks as an individual, civic organization or employer group, visit Union County Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Trail at ucnj.org.

Photo credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

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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.

 

Star-studded lineup includes  Sister Sledge, C&C Music Factory, Blackstreet, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials

 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announce that the annual Rhythm and Blues by the Brook free outdoor music festival will kick off the Summer season at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on Saturday, June 4th with an exciting lineup of entertainment, featuring Sister Sledge, whose hit song “We Are Family,” became a worldwide anthem at the end of the ‘70s.

The event runs from noon to 6 p.m., and also features the high-energy dance music of C&C Music Factory (“Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”, “Here We Go (Let’s Rock & Roll)”, “Things That Make You Go Hmmm”), the Grammy Award-winning R&B act, Blackstreet (“No Diggity”), and guitar-inspired blues act, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials.

“This is going to be a tremendous musical event with such well-known acts,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We hope our residents will be able to meet up with friends and family, listen to some great music and enjoy a day at the park.”

“Rhythm and Blues by the Brook is a signature event for Union County and a great showcase for the City of Plainfield as well,” said Freeholder Linda Carter, a lifelong resident of Plainfield. “This show is packed with extraordinary entertainment, and is a great way to kick off the Summer season in our parks.”

Rhythm and Blues by the Brook features free activities for young children, including inflatable rides, a petting zoo, and pony rides. The children’s area will open at 12:00 noon and close at 4:30 p.m., when the main act takes the stage.

Returning to Rhythm and Blues by the Brook is the G-Wiz Classic & Exotic Automotive SuperShow, located near the basketball court across from the concert area.

Food vendors will be on site, and a number of picnic tables will be conveniently located under a tent in the concert “outfield.” Concert-goers are also welcome to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Tips For Those Attending:

• Persons with disabilities: Designated parking is available inside the park.
• Walking and biking: Visitors are encouraged to walk or bike. Cyclists, please wear a helmet and bring a bike lock.
• Mass transit: The concert area at Cedar Brook Park is approximately 1.5 miles from the NJ Transit train station in downtown Plainfield. For more transit information, visit: ucnj.org/connect.
• Driving: To find Cedar Brook Park on Google Maps, search under “Park Avenue and Cedar Brook Park Drive, Plainfield NJ.”
• Parking: Please be prepared to park several blocks away and walk to the park.
• Seating: Visitors may bring blankets and folding chairs. Small tents and canopies are permitted in an area marked with a white line outside of the central viewing area.
• Sun Safety: Bring plenty of sun block and wear a sun hat. Visitors may bring umbrellas. A limited number of shaded picnic tables are available. Bug spray is also recommended.
• Food and Water: A wide variety of food vendors will be on site. Visitors may also bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks (County policy prohibits alcoholic beverages in the park).
• Grilling is permitted outside of the central viewing area.
• Pets: A large crowd is expected, so with the exception of service animals, please leave pets at home.
• Recycling: Please make use of the recycling containers placed around and inside the concert area.
• Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in County parks.