County of Union

WATCHUNG RESERVATION – Spring is here and Union County’s Watchung Stable is offering guided trail rides on Sundays starting April 1, for everyone nine years of age or older.

“Horseback riding in the Watchung Reservation is a real treat – you see so much of the park and also get some exercise!” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Watchung Reservation is a 2,065-acre park that offers everyone a chance to experience the natural beauty of a forest, right here in Union County.”

The trail rides are held on Sundays at 2:00 and 3:00 p.m., weather permitting. Groups of 15 or more people at a time ride along bridle trails in the woods. The rides are on a first-come, first-served basis and are available to anyone with or without riding experience.

Watchung Stable also features special private group rides for individuals or groups of up to 15 people. These private rides need to be set up in advance at a mutually convenient time and have a full deposit for all riders before the set date. The cost of the private group rides includes the rental fee (In-county $28; Out-of-County $39 per rider) and an additional $30 for the instructor.

For those younger riders under nine years of age, Watchung Stable offers leadline rides on Sundays from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. Leadlines are also held during the week if weather permits and are held on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost for a leadline ride is $15 for Union County residents and $23 for out-of-county participants. Leadlines are half-hour rides only.

The trail rides and leadline rides are offered at Watchung Stable, which is located at 1160 Summit Lane in Mountainside. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – noon and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. daily.

Watchung Stable is a facility of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For further information, call 908-789-3665 during the normal office hours; visit the web site www.ucnj.org/stable, or email questions tostablequestions@ucnj.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 .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (R) joined Congressman Leonard Lance (2nd L) and Springfield Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady (L) in congratulating Springfield Free Public Library Director Susan Permahos (C) and Board of Trustees President Shelley Stangler on the 80th anniversary of the library during a reception there on March 18. For more information about the Springfield Free Public Library visitwww.springfieldpubliclibrary.com.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that Union County’s Department of Human Services has received a $493,000 competitive award from the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds awarded will go towards funding Rafael’s Life House Supportive Program.

“The Freeholder Board is thankful that Union County was awarded these funds,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are hopeful that with them we can help the women of Rafael’s Life House acquire the skills they need to ultimately lead a life of independence and success.”

Sponsored by Covenant House NJ, an affiliate of Covenant House International, Rafael’s Life House Supportive Program is a permanent housing project intended to provide safe, clean, and affordable housing for pregnant women and young mothers struggling with mental illness.

The program will kick off with 6 homeless mothers from the Rafael’s Life House transitional living facility.

As part of the Supportive Program, they will receive mental health and support services and will be assigned a case worker who will facilitate the transition to permanent housing, and further their progress towards greater independence with weekly meetings.

Earlier this year the Union County Department of Human Services was also awarded $3.4 million from the Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance program to fund ongoing and renewal projects.

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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.

EW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, March 31, 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 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 31 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, 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.

 

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on March 31 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 31 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 15 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.-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) 469-9774. 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.

Union County – Tickets are currently on sale for the 2012 Women of Excellence Dinner, celebrating the honorees of the 2012 Women of excellence awards.

The Women of Excellence Awards, supported by the Union County Freeholder Board, are presented to recognize distinguished women who reside or work in Union County.

The dinner will be held on March 23rd at The Westwood, 438 North Avenue in Garwood. For further details or to purchase tickets, contact Carol Lombardo, 908-789-0508.

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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, NJ – Union County residents are reminded to take part in a seminar on the importance of healthy food for the family on March 28th. Sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, this program aims to educate participants on how healthy eating habits can reduce the risk of disease.

For complete information and pre-registration instructions contact Digna Torres at the Extension offices at 908-654-9854 or via email at dtorres@ucnj.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 atwww.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

 

“Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.
Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination,
732-932-5000, ext. 584.”

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright (R) listens as Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (L) speaks with Sue and Raymond Vincent of Clark about passport applications during national “Passport Day in the USA” on March 10 at the County Clerk’s Westfield Office. United States residents can apply for passports at the County Clerk’s main office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online athttps://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports. The phone number at the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

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

Union County – Union County residents are encouraged to update their pets’ rabies vaccinations at any of the free, state or municipal-sponsored rabies clinics offered locally throughout the spring and summer months.

“Taking advantage of one of these free clinics is an easy and cost effective way to ensure the health and safety of your pet,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The next local clinic will be held on Saturday, March 24 at the Hillside Public Works Garage at 274 Hillside Ave from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

Although cats and dogs that spend more time outdoors may have a higher risk of contracting rabies, it is equally important for indoor pets to be vaccinated. Rabies is usually passed from animal to animal, however it can be passed from animals to people.

The rabies virus is often seen among wild animals like raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal (warm blooded animal with fur) can be infected. It is a deadly virus that infects the central nervous system causing disease in the brain and ultimately death.

Rabies is 100% preventable. Animals can and should be vaccinated and people who have been bitten can receive vaccines to fight the disease.

To prevent rabies remember to:

• Vaccinate your dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies
• Keep your pets under your supervision so they don’t come in contact with a wild animal
• Do not touch wild animals and if you see one acting strangely, call your local animal control officer or health department to report it
• If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound with soap and water, and see your doctor as soon as possible

For more information, or for a listing of all upcoming rabies clinics in Union County visit www.ucnj.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.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The popular gentle yoga series is returning to Trailside Nature and Science Center on Tuesday evenings as part of the center’s adult programs. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal, the yoga series for adults 18 years and older will begin on April 3 and continue each Tuesday evening through June 5.

“This yoga class, held in the beautiful and tranquil setting of the Trailside Visitor Center, is a great opportunity for busy adults to realize the benefits of mind and body relaxation and learn methods for reducing the stresses of daily life,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander  Mirabella.

Each gentle yoga session runs from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. and the fee for Union County residents is $15 per class and $20 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is preferred as space is limited; however, walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Participants can register for individual sessions or the complete ten-week series.

The series is an opportunity to learn and experience Raja yoga techniques for integrating body and mind. Claire M. Bay, a yoga instructor certified by the Chopra Center in New York City, is returning to Trailside to teach and guide the participants in this new pathway of meditation.

Yoga techniques can awaken poise and centered awareness in the midst of everyday life. Participants also learn how to use nature’s healing powers to relieve stress and its symptoms. Soothing music will enhance the overall experience. Doors open 15 minutes prior to each yoga class and participants are asked to bring a yoga mat or pillow.

For additional information about this yoga series or other upcoming adult programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & 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 .

Jessica Kirste of Linden was awarded first place in the adult category for her photo, “Red Fox”;
and Amanda Berlinski of Mountainside was awarded first place in the 12 – 17 year-old category for her photo, “Humpback Whale,” at the 2011 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature & Science Center. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is looking for amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult to take part in the 2012 Wildlife Photography Contest, which will be judged during Trailside’s Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, May 6. Local photographers will judge the entries on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit.  Photographers may submit a maximum of two 5” x 7” black & white or color, un-mounted, unframed pictures of wildlife, no later than April 20. Only images of wildlife species native to the United States are eligible. Images of exotic wildlife, pets or domestic animals will not be considered. For an entry form and contest rules call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or go online to www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce the 2012 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature & Science Center. Amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult, are invited to enter their original photographs of wild animals in their natural habitat.

“Wild animals are challenging photographic subjects,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The annual Wildlife Photography Contest is a great opportunity for people of all ages to display some of the images they’ve captured of animals in natural settings.”

Individuals may enter a maximum of two photographs. Only images of wildlife species native to the United States are eligible for submission. Photos of exotic wildlife, pets or domestic animals will not be considered. Entries must be un-matted, unframed, 5” x 7” black and white or color prints. Entries must be received by Friday, April 20.

Photographs entered into the Wildlife Photography Contest will be judged by local professional photographers and prizes will be awarded based on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups: 6-11; 12-17; and 18-older.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, May 6, during Trailside’s “Wild Earth Fest.” All photographs will be displayed at Trailside’s Visitor Center through May 25, 2012.

The winners of the 2011 Wildlife Photography Contest included Jessica Kirste of Linden in the 18 and older category for a photo of a Red Fox; Amanda Berlinski of Mountainside in the 12 – 17 year-old category for a photo of a Humpback Whale; and Warren Lynaugh of Kenilworth in the 6 – 11 year old category for a photo of a Green Heron.

To obtain a brochure with the complete list of rules and entry form for the Wildlife Photography contest, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit 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 .