Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County, NJ – Did you know that one tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year? Trees also trap dust particles and other pollutants, and they help keep our neighborhoods cool in the summer. These are just some of the many environmental benefits of planting and caring for trees in our community.

If you’re interested in learning more about trees and you enjoy teaching children, the Union County Master Tree Stewards program is seeking volunteers now.

“Trees make significant contributions to the quality of life in our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Each year, through the Master Tree Steward volunteer program, Union County residents teach hundreds of school children about trees and their benefits to our neighborhoods and environment.”

The Master Tree Steward program is a free educational program that trains adult volunteers to teach children about trees. Tree Stewards learn how trees grow and reproduce, how to plant trees, why trees are important to our environment, and fun ways to share this knowledge with children.

Homework consists of light reading and a simple project. There are no exams or quizzes. After completing the training program, graduates are provided with a teaching kit and supplies, and are scheduled to teach several one-hour programs for grade school students this winter and spring.

This program is one of the many adult volunteer opportunities offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Volunteers are essential to the successful implementation of the Master Tree Steward program.

The 2014 Master Tree Steward training sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for 12 weeks starting on September 3. Your commitment is short term, but importance and impact are long term.

The classroom training sessions will be located at the Extension offices in the County Services building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

For an application or more information, contact Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension offices, 908-654-9854, or email nichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It offers a wide variety of programs and activities for all ages. For more information visit the Extension online at ucnj.org/rce.

Photo (cropped): by Nicholas A. Tonelli via flickr.com creative commons license.

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ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that 46 artists, historians and local non-profit organizations will receive funding through the 2014 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 $75,000.

“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 Christopher Hudak. “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 Hudak 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 2014 (Total $75,000)

• Brian Beste, Fanwood, $1,000, presenting art and photography workshops;
• Candace Waller, Fanwood, $950, 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;
• Paula Borenstein, Elizabeth, $800, providing art workshops;
• Raymond W. Blanks, Rahway, $700, providing photography classes for Rahway youth;
• Valerie Graham, Roselle, $945, presenting free crafts workshops for children and seniors;
• Arts Guild New Jersey, Rahway, $2,000, presenting arts education for children and teens;
• Borough of Fanwood, $2,000, 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, $1,600, 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, $1,585, providing classical music performances;
• Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $1,000, presenting “Three Po’ Tenors” concert for senior housing residents;
• duCret School of Art, Plainfield, $500, presenting a performing arts program for children grades K-12;
• Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Summit, $1,600, producing outreach theater program for Seniors;
• Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $1,500, presenting a Hispanic Heritage Month concert;
• Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,000, presenting 12^th Annual Tour de Elizabeth bicycle tour;
• Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,500, providing arts and culture classes to young children;
• Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting poetry and music recording workshops for immigrant women;
• Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,900, preparations for interpretive tour manual;
• Language & Enrichment Center, Scotch Plains, $1,000, presenting performances by preschool children of Italian winter songs;
• Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, $1,500, providing musical 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, $1,100, presenting an original composition in concert;
• National Council of Jewish Women, U.C. Section, Elizabeth, $2,100, providing two intergenerational programs: a big band swing dance and a jazz trio;
• New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Westfield, $1,800, presenting live concert “Home for the Holidays”;
• New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, Berkeley Heights, $2,100, presenting a community concert;
• Occupational Center of U.C., Roselle, $2,200, presenting art education classes for people with disabilities;
• Overlook Hospital Foundation, Summit, $2,000, presenting therapeutic singing group for people with Parkinson’s disease;
• Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation, $1,800, presenting a historical Kwanza celebration with speakers, music and dance;
• Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $2,100, presenting a play, “At Liberty Hall”;
• Rahway Community Action Organization, Rahway, $1,000, presenting African American history program;
• SAGE Eldercare, Inc., Summit, $2,000, presenting free musical performances to older adults;
• Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $1,200, presenting a free history of Jewish humor program;
• The Links Foundation, Plainfield, $1,500, presenting a free community concert;
• The Theater Project, Union, $2,000, presenting four plays in Union;
• Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway,$950, presenting two music education workshops for children;
• Union Township Community Action Organization, Inc., Union, $2,000, presenting Senior Choral performances in nursing homes;
• Union Township Historical Society, Union, $1,320, presenting a reenactment of the Battle of Connecticut Farms;
• United Youth of NJ, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting a play about Nelson Mandela and Apartheid;
• Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit, $2,300, 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, $2,150, presenting a Jewish Fair and Arts Festival.

CLARK, NJ –The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series concludes its 54^th season of music on Wednesday evening, August 27, with a performance by The Nerds.  The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. in Oak Ridge Park, located in Clark, New Jersey.

Sometimes called New Jersey’s hardest working, hardest rocking party band, The Nerds perform a blend of soul, classic rock and TV theme music.  The band is loosely based on an old skit from Saturday Night Live and have been performing together for over 20 years.

“This will be the final opportunity for residents to come out and enjoy the musical entertainment under the stars at Oak Ridge Park in Clark,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Bring your blanket or lawn chair and arrive early to get the best view of our outstanding musical entertainment.”

In addition to the great music, residents are invited to come out early and participate in

Union County’s Summer of Fitness, part of Chairman Hudak’s Union County Get Fit initiative. Free community yoga classes will be held prior to the musical entertainment, beginning at 6:30. This week’s class will be conducted by Alluem Yoga of Cranford, New Jersey.

For more information, call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit the Union County website:  www.ucnj.org/summer. For program and rain information call 908-558-4079 after 3:00 p.m. on the day of the show.

Union County, NJ – Do you have a green thumb and are you interested in learning more useful gardening skills? The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is once again offering master gardeners classes for Union County residents this fall – registration deadline is August 30, 2014.

In this program, residents receive in-depth and hands-on-training in horticulture from Rutgers, The State University faculty and professional staff.

“The Master Gardeners program offers a fun and exciting experience to learn useful gardening skills,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “If you are looking for expert guidance on community, school, and home gardening, I encourage you to consider participating in the Master Gardeners program.”

In exchange for the training, applicants agree to make a commitment to provide 60 hours of volunteer service working in their community in one of the many approved volunteer gardening committees within a 12—18 month period. Successful graduates become Certified Rutgers Master Gardeners upon completion of their volunteer commitment.

Union County residents with an interest in gardening and commitment to volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. Since 1988, when it graduated its first class, Union County’s Master Gardener Program has trained hundreds of men and women through a diverse curriculum including basic botany, entomology, flower gardening, vegetable gardening, wildlife management, and more.

Union County residents can access the application by visiting https://ucnj.org/rce/. All applications for the program are due to the Extension Office by August 30, 2014. For more information contact the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County at 908-654-9854.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and the entire Freeholder Board present Union County Undersheriff Vincent Detrolio with a resolution thanking him for his 36 years of dedicated service to the County of Union and wish him well on his retirement

Union County, NJ – On Friday, August 15th, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak announced the official launch of the free Wi-Fi network, and hosted a demonstration of the technology upgrades at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center.

The installation and activation of the Wi-Fi network at Trailside marks the completion of the Freeholder Chairman’s free Wi-Fi initiative for 2014.

“Now, residents can have access to email, social media, and browse the internet while at six Union County facilities: Fraser Building in Westfield, Warinanco Park Skating Rink in Roselle, Wheeler Pool in Linden, Ulrich Pool in Rahway, Nomahegan Park in Cranford, and Trailside Nature Science Center in Mountainside,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The free Wi-Fi at Trailside is especially exciting because it opens up new opportunities to learn about the exhibits and participate in activities.”

To help demonstrate the range and versatility of the Wi-Fi network, 1st and 2nd grade Trailside campers participated in an interactive scavenger hunt throughout the center using the free Wi-Fi network to access video clues by scanning QR codes with an iPad.

The Wi-Fi initiative also brings added technology upgrades for Trailside. This facility is now equipped with SMART Boards in four of its classrooms. “The touch screen white boards will help expand the way visitors and campers experience the Nature and Science Center,” said Chairman Hudak.

Included in the technology upgrades at Trailside is the installation of 5 smart TVs located throughout the facility. In addition to the traditional functions of a TV, these flat screen televisions have internet access built in allowing them to access a range of online services with more computing ability and connectivity.

“Combined, the entire technology upgrade is a step toward ensuring that our county recreation facilities are up to date and welcoming to a broad spectrum of activities,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

[contact:  Carlos Rojas, 732-372-1487, carlos@piconj.org]

The county joins a growing number of jurisdictions that have chosen to limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, in an effort to protect families from deportation and restore the immigrant community’s trust in local police.

Elizabeth, NJ – Everyday immigrant families across the country live in fear of detention and deportation because of our immigration system.  In the face of congressional inaction, counties across the country are responding to senseless family separations by issuing policies that prevent families from being funneled into detention and promote trust between immigrant communities and police departments.

Union County is leading the way forward in New Jersey by refusing to honor requests from federal immigration enforcement to detain people who are suspected of being undocumented, unless a proper warrant or court order has been issued. “Our research, which included Third Circuit Court of Appeals decisions, concluded that it violates the rights of these people to detain them,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, who led the County effort to enact the policy change earlier this month.

Faith communities, immigrant rights organizations and the community at large applaud the Union County Freeholders’ decision to protect the rights of immigrant families residents of Union County.

“The Union County Freeholders have acted with good faith and justice towards the immigrant community,” said Pastor Ramon Collazo from St. Elizabeth’s Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. “As people of faith we are grounded in the call to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35) along with the commitment to justice that advocates for fair and generous laws.”  Pastor Collazo is one hundreds of faith leaders working with Faith in New Jersey (formerly PICO NJ), a statewide network of faith communities working together to expand and protect the rights of immigrant communities.

“We applaud Union County officials for recognizing the critical importance of fostering trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement,” said Ari Rosmarin, Public Policy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. “The county has taken a bold stance for immigrant communities and discontinued a practice that seriously undermined public safety, posed significant constitutional concerns, and exposed the county to significant liability. We hope and expect other New Jersey counties will follow Union’s lead in adopting similar policies.”

What:  Press Conference highlighting the Anti-Detainer Policy Change in Union County

Who:  Union County Freeholders, Immigrant Families, Faith and Social Justice Organizations

Where: Union County Administration Building – 6th Floor – Freeholder Meeting Room 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07207

When:   Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 – Press Conference Starts at 1 pm

Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and the entire Freeholder Board present Union County Undersheriff Vincent Detrolio with a resolution thanking him for his 36 years of dedicated service to the County of Union and wish him well on his retirement

As we continue to enjoy the days of summer busy with vacations and visits to the beach, thoughts are already turning to the kids going back to school and Labor Day.

But there is another important holiday this month we need to remember and celebrate.

August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day when we honor the achievements and accomplishments of older Americans everywhere.

There are more than 40 million senior citizens living in the United States today, and that number continues to grow. People are living longer than ever before and many senior citizens are proving that it isn’t about the years in your life but the life in your years.

President Ronald Reagan created National Senior Citizens Day in 1988 when he put forth a proclamation recognizing the establishment of a new national holiday. It is now celebrated with special events at senior and community centers across the country

We should all something do something special on the day. Giving back to our parents, grandparents and older neighbors is so important. We would not be here without the foundation they built for us and we should let them know they are appreciated.

There are many simple yet valuable ways to celebrate National Senior Citizens Day. Pick up the phone and call an older friend or loved one just to say hello. Pay a visit to your local veterans or senior citizens center. If you able, volunteer at a local nursing home.

Also, encourage your children and their friends to get involved and mark the day with a visit to the grandparents or an older neighbor.

Senior Citizens Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the long-term contribution and dedication of older people, and to ensure that we’re doing our best to give something back to older people.

The wellbeing and happiness of our senior citizens should be a priority and that’s why National Senior Citizens Day is so important.

Let’s us take the time to celebrate the older Americans in our lives. We wouldn’t be where were are today without them.

Joseph Cryan is the Acting Union County Sheriff.

Acting Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan (R) thanks Undersheriff Vincent Detrolio for his 36 years of dedicated service to the County of Union and wishes him well on his retirement. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)