County of Union, New Jersey

Voting is set to continue this week for Union County’s first-ever Art Outside the Box program; the last round of voting, for the Elizabeth edition of the program garnered over 9,000 votes.

The selections available for this round will cover traffic control boxes in Plainfield at the intersections of South Avenue and Terrill Road, Randolph Road and Park Avenue, Park Avenue and 7th Street, and South Avenue and Leland Avenue.

Participants can vote online at www.ucnj.org/artoutsidethebox/vote. Voting will be available until Tuesday, September 29^th.

Art Outside the Box is a new county-wide creative placemaking project created to support Union County visual artists by offering a nontraditional exhibition opportunity that broadens and diversifies public exposure to art murals.

“We are extremely excited to see that our residents are actively participating in choosing the aesthetic that will symbolize and represent their neighborhoods,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “We can’t wait to see how many votes will come in for this, and future editions of the program.”

The theme for the 2015 Art Outside The Box  program was diversity, and art was sought that not only represented the community at-large, but that was uplifting, colorful, and appropriate for people of all ages. 

Offered as part of Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh’s Building A Community of the Arts initiative, a total of thirteen original artworks will be selected to cover traffic control boxes in Elizabeth, Linden, Rahway, and Plainfield, NJ. Each artwork will be reproduced on a special vinyl adhesive film and professionally applied to the exterior of the pre-selected traffic control boxes. 

Funded by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, details about the project are available online at www.ucnj.org/artoutsidethebox.

For additional information please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Alexander Mirabella present a resolution to 17-year-old Alyssa Chacon of Union recognizing and congratulating her for her appearance on the Food Network’s national television show “Chopped Teen Tournament.” The Benedictine Academy senior competed as a chef on the cooking contest show.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites elementary and high school teachers, as well as local community groups, to register for a free, 30-45-minute in-house science presentation that explains watershed and environmental concepts in a fun and meaningful way.

“Watersheds are important to our communities because they sustain life in many different ways,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “This free program offers teachers, students, and community members the opportunity to discover how human behavior can impact the land and waterways around them.”

Union County and AmeriCorp bring the in-house, interactive watershed presentations to teachers and students in the classroom and to other community group locations.

Since 1999, these interactive presentations have been receiving positive reviews from participants. Students and teachers enjoy participating in the hands-on demonstration that includes a three-dimensional topographic land use model.

The program offers easy, practical solutions that everyone can implement to reduce non-point source pollution and improve water quality. Examples of ways the average person can help include eliminating or minimizing the use of pesticides on lawns, picking up pet waste, and not feeding geese.

The free presentations are offered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program. Also, the ambassador program offers stream assessment training for individuals and groups. To schedule for a free presentation or training, call Cynthia Romero, Watershed Ambassador for Watershed Management Area 7 at (908) 789-3209.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that 54 artists, historians and local non-profit organizations will receive funding through the 2015 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program.

Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to our economy and quality of life, the Union County Freeholders established the HEART Grant Program in 1998. This innovative program supports projects related to history, the arts and humanities, and it demonstrates a commitment to the artists and community organizations of Union County. Total funding for this year’s grants is $100,000.

“The recipients of HEART Grants are a wonderful mix of creative individuals – composers and writers, historians, visual artists, musicians and dancers – plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “The response to the program has been exciting ever since its inception.”

“The services provided by these artists, scholars and organizations directly benefit the residents of our county and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities,” Freeholder Jalloh added. “These cultural assets are a vital part of community life, well being, economic development and cultural heritage tourism in Union County.”

Artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations that want information about next year’s HEART Grant Program can contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or send E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org

 

Union County HEART Grants Awarded 2015 (Total $100,000)

• 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;
• Kenneth Sack, Summit, $800, providing an arts-in-education program for Summit;
• Lesl Harker, New Providence, $1,000, presenting Irish music workshop and concert;
• Lowell Schantz, Westfield, $1,000, presenting two free jazz concerts in Senior facilities;
• Marjan Nirou Saniee, New Providence, $750, providing a series of paintings and exhibits;
• Michelle Nelson, Elizabeth, $800, providing entrepreneurial talks for at risk youth & adults;
• Paula Borenstein, Elizabeth, $1,000, producing a historic survey of Elizabeth;
• Valerie Graham, Roselle, $1,000, presenting free crafts workshops for children and seniors;
• Arts Guild New Jersey, Rahway, $2,300, presenting arts education for children and adults;
• Borough of Fanwood, $2,500, presenting a Fanwood Cultural Arts Performance Series;
• Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $1,000, presenting a free concert;
• Brand New Day, Elizabeth, $2,000, presenting traditional Caribbean music and dance workshops;
• 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;
• Central Presbyterian Church, Summit, $1,800, providing classical music performances;
• City of Rahway, $2,500, presenting a collaborative community art project;
• Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $1,000, presenting “Three Po’ Tenors” concert for senior housing residents;
• Dreamcatchers Repertory Theatre, Summit, $2,350  presenting NJ premiere of “Sister Play”;
• duCret School of Art, Plainfield, $1,000, presenting a performing arts program for children grades K-12;
• Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $2,000, presenting Hispanic Heritage Month concert;
• Frontiers International Plainfield Area Club, Plainfield, $750, presenting intergenerational lecture series;
• Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting 13^th Annual Tour de Elizabeth bicycle tour;
• Historical Society of Plainfield, Plainfield, $2,280, providing history education programs;
• Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500, providing arts and culture classes to young children;
• Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting arts programs for immigrant women;
• Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $2,000, preparations for interpretive signage;
• Language & Enrichment Center INC, Scotch Plains, $1,500, presenting performances by preschool children of Italian winter songs;
• Life Drawing Studio Group, Fanwood, $2,000, providing visual arts workshops;
• Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, $1,500, providing theatrical programs for children;
• Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,500, presenting music programs for U.C. Juvenile Detention Center;
• Musical Club of Westfield, Scotch Plains, $2,000, presenting an original composition in concert;
• 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, $2,000, 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, $2,000, presenting event for “Music Connection” for special needs children;
• Occupational Center of U.C., Roselle, $2,500, presenting art education classes for people with disabilities;
• Overlook Hospital Foundation, Summit, $2,500, presenting “Paint Your Pain” healing arts program;
• Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation, $2,000, presenting a historical Kwanza celebration with speakers, music and dance;
• Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,500, presenting the play “Liberty Live”;
• Restore Ministries, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,500, providing classes for youth literary and multimedia study;
• SAGE Eldercare, Inc., Summit, $2,500, presenting free musical performances to older adults;
• Saint Theresa School, Kenilworth, $1,520, providing two student theatrical productions;
• Springfield Free Public Library, Springfield, $2,500, producing two museum exhibits;
• Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $1,250, presenting a free Jewish humor program;
• The Theater Project, Union, $2,500, 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, $1,000, presenting history programs for students;
• United Youth of NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting a play about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.;
• 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;
• Women in Conversation, Plainfield, $2,500, presenting reading groups for students and seniors;
• YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $2,500, presenting the “Y Sunday Brunch Series”.

(From left) Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright and Alexander Mirabella joined Community Access Unlimited (CAU) Executive Director Sid Blanchard, Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr and Fanwood Council President Katherine Mitchell at the grand opening of the new Community Access Unlimited mixed-use property on Terrill Road in Fanwood. The cutting-edge building will become home to both people with developmental disabilities and people without disabilities, as well as two commercial businesses.

The property extends CAU’s mission of enabling people with developmental disabilities to fully integrate into the community by mixing barrier-free affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities with those available to residents of all incomes.

CAU is a statewide Elizabeth-based nonprofit providing support programs and services to adults with disabilities. For more information about CAU and its services, call 908-354-3040, online at www.caunj.org or by mail at 80 West Grand St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites senior residents to participate in a free CarFit event to help ensure mature drivers fit their vehicles properly.

On Wednesday, September 30, from Noon to 3 p.m., personnel from the County’s Public Safety Department will team up with AAA to conduct a CarFit event at the Garwood First Aid Squad, located at 401 Second Avenue in Garwood.

“The Freeholder board is pleased to provide vehicle safety services for our communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “A proper fit in one’s car can greatly increase not only the driver’s safety but also the safety of others.”

CarFit is a national program aimed at helping senior drivers in the community find their safest fit in their personal vehicle.

A team of trained technicians will work with each participant to ensure they “fit” their vehicle properly for maximum comfort and safety. The event offers drivers a quick, comprehensive check on correct safety belt position, distance from airbags, mirror alignment, and how well their vehicles suit their abilities. It’s a simple checklist that only takes a few minutes to complete.

Union County’s CarFit team is the same team that runs the County’s Child Safety Seat Inspection program, which has helped thousands of County residents over the years.

For more information about the September 30 CarFit event or other public safety programs, visit ucnj.org or Car-Fit.org or call the County’s Public Safety Department at 908-789-6830.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh joined Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman and Councilmen David Brown and Rodney Farrar in reviewing the ‘Art Outside the Box’ artist submissions that will be featured on traffic control boxes at three Rahway intersections.

In the coming days, we will open up online voting for you to pick your top three favorites. Learn more about the Chairman’s Initiative at https://ucnj.org/artoutsidethebox/. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The County of Union WiFi installations at six locations in parks and government facilities are attracting more than 170 users daily – more than 60,000 a year – Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh announced today.

“In the society that we live in, communication and technology are no longer a luxury but a necessity,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “That’s why we are proud to be able to ensure that our residents have access to the worldwide Internet while they’re in our public locations.”

Serving as the Chairman in 2014, Freeholder Hudak championed the initiative to make free WiFi available at multiple public spaces around Union County. “The Freeholder Board wanted to ensure free WiFi was available for our citizens in both the eastern and western ends of our County,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak. “After having the service available for a little over a year now, it is clear that our residents are enjoying it for personal, education and business uses.”

The six current WiFi installations include:

• The Union County Clerk’s Office at the Colleen Fraser Building at the Public Safety Complex on North Avenue in Westfield.
• Nomahegan Park playground, Cranford.
• Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.
• Warinanco (Park) Skating facility, Roselle and adjoining area. Service is available during construction.
• Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool at Rahway River Park.
• Wheeler Park Pool and Playground area, Linden.

Logging on to Union County’s service is easy for WiFi-enabled devices, such as Apple I-Phones and I-pads, Android-based phones and tablets and any other capable devices. Merely find the Wi-Fi settings on your devices. Select “Union County Wi-Fi” as the connection to join. Follow on screen agreements and enjoy.

WIFI service is free. Safety features are also in place, including having the users to re-login periodically to discourage downloading or streaming of large files which may cause the performance and bandwidth to decrease for other patrons who may be logged on at the same time.

To find a local outdoor area with free WiFi, visit www.ucnj.org/wi-fi

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi spoke with attendees at the Union County Municipal Clerks Education Seminar at the Union County Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. County Clerk Rajoppi delivered a lecture entitled “Ethics, A road Map to Ethical Behavior.” (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)