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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the latest edition of the Union County Recycling Markets Directory is now available for free download from the county website, at ucnj.org/recycling. The newly updated Recycling Markets Directory is intended to help Union County businesses save money by expanding their current recycling program.

“If you own or manage a business in Union County, I encourage you to look through the directory and take advantage of the opportunities you may have to boost your bottom line through recycling,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Recycling can be good for business and it’s good for the environment, too.”

The Recycling Markets Directory provides end markets for the recycling of a wide variety of commercial waste including books, carpet, construction debris, pallets and X-rays.

For more information about the Recycling Markets Directory, or to enquire about listing your business in the next edition, call the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning, 908-654-9890.

For information on residential recycling in Union County, individuals can contact the recycling coordinator in their municipality or use the free Recycling Events sponsored by Union County (the Recycling Events are for residential use only; no commercial waste accepted).

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HILLSIDE, NJ — “Family Fun and Flix” – the free summer entertainment and film series brought to you every Tuesday evening by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation concludes on Tuesday, August 12 AT Conant park in Hillside with the showing of “Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2.”  AMC will provide free popcorn.

The evening will begin with UC Get Fit, which offers fun, healthy activities for kids, sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders at 7:30 pm, prior to the movie.

“This summer has been a very exciting and entertaining one for our residents and we expect the family friendly atmosphere to continue at Conant Park,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “This is the final chance this summer for everyone to come out and enjoy a movie under the stars in one of our outstanding county parks.”

“Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2” is an animated comedy featuring the character Flint Lockwood, who now works at The Live Corp Company for his idol Chester V. But he’s forced to leave his post when he learns that his most infamous machine is still operational and is creating mutant food beasts like living pickles, hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees and apple pie-thons. Flint and his friends must return to save the world.

“Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2” begins at dusk, weather permitting. 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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the first steps have been taken toward a major upgrade of athletic facilities at the historic Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

“Public recreation is a core County mission and it is one that we take very seriously,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Along with the physical and mental health benefits for individuals, the whole Union County community grows stronger when people from different walks of life can meet and enjoy a great experience together.”

The new upgrades join Hudak’s 2014 “Turf and Build” Chairman’s Initiative, which calls for improving opportunities for team sports countywide. Some of the Turf and Build projects start in 2014 and others will be rolled out over the next several years.

At Cedar Brook Park, the plan calls for upgrading two existing multipurpose grass fields with synthetic turf and new lighting. A nearby baseball field will also undergo minor improvements. The three fields are located on Park Drive, across from the tennis courts.

The Cedar Brook upgrade was set in motion earlier this summer, when the Freeholder Board awarded a design contract. After the design process is complete, a construction timeline will be set.

New Jersey State Assemblyman Jerry Green (D-22), whose district includes Plainfield, Clark, Fanwood, Linden, Rahway, Scotch Plains, and Winfield, was among those participating in the planning process.

“Cedar Brook draws visitors from Plainfield and beyond, and these significant new upgrades will ensure that more people can come and enjoy this valuable public asset,” said Green. “Now we are counting on local residents and visitors to be mindful of the effort that is going into the improvements, and help to keep Cedar Brook looking attractive and welcoming to all.”

Cedar Brook Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and it is home to the historicShakespeare Garden.

Like New York’s Central Park, Cedar Brook is characterized by its easy access to visitors on foot as well as by car, with meandering, forested paths that lead to wide open vistas and artfully placed waterways. There is ample room for walking, picnicking, and many other relaxing activities, as well as fields for organized sports.

Freeholder Linda Carter noted that the upgrades will extend the useful hours of the fields.

“Union County is growing, and with these upgrades Cedar Brook will be able to welcome more visitors with updated, attractive facilities,” said Carter, who is a lifelong resident of Plainfield. “The new turf will help ensure that our fields recover more quickly from stormy weather and provide more opportunities for use, and the new lights will also help to extend the useful hours.”

Under the Turf and Build initiative, the other Union County parks slated for synthetic turf, new lights, and other improvements are Warinanco Park in Roselle, Mattano Park in Elizabeth, and Madison Avenue Park and Rahway River Park in Rahway.

Other new upgrades include construction of a new stadium at Warinanco Park, and free Wi-Fi at parks facilities including the County’s two swimming pools, skating rink, Trailside Nature and Science Center, and the playground area at Nomahegan Park.

For more information on all Union County parks, including special events and free summer music and movies, visit ucnj.org/parks.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that tickets are on sale now for the 2014-2015 Sensory Friendly Theatre series at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The Sensory Friendly music, theater, and dance performances are specially adapted for persons with autism and other sensory sensitivities.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to present the Sensory Friendly Series, which enables children, adults, and families to enjoy enriching cultural experiences in a judgment-free, supportive environment,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak.

The Sensory Friendly Theatre series kicks off this fall with the inquisitive, lovable little monkey Curious Georgeon September 21, and the winter adventures of Frosty on November 23.

The series continues in 2015 with puppeteer Jim West’s Dinosaurs on January 11. On March 29, join The Berenstain Bears in Family Matters, the Musical as the beloved bear family learns important life lessons.

Bring the family to see Cinderella, one of New Jersey Ballet’s most popular productions for kids and families on May 3. Cinderella is a two-act romp through the well-known fairy tale with stepsisters, dancing clocks, a pumpkin coach, and more.

All seats are $8 per person and can be purchased through the Union County Performing Arts Center atucpac.org or by calling the Box Office at 732-499-8226.

The Sensory Friendly Theatre series, presented by the Freeholder Board, began in 2012 as an initiative of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella. It is designed according to guidelines that help reduce disturbances for youngsters who experience heightened sensory sensitivity.

Implementing the supportive atmosphere is the organization Autism Friendly Spaces, which provides specialists to train staff and volunteers on working with  children with autism and other special needs during Sensory Friendly Theatre performances, while providing comfort and help to families.

For each of the special performances in the Sensory Friendly Theatre series, the theatre environment at the Performing Arts Center will be adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families.

What to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre event:

 

• Each performance will run 60 minutes with no intermission.
• Seating is general admission and a limited number of tickets will be sold to maintain a comfortable size audience at each performance.
• Lights will remain up inside the theatre auditorium.
• Sound volume will be lowered and remain constant to prevent abrupt jarring sounds.
• Children are free to talk and vocalize as they wish.
• Children may get up, leave their seats, or walk about the theatre under parental supervision.
• A private lounge area will be available where children and their families can relax.  Fidget and stress sensory toys will be available for children to borrow as needed.
• Professional Autism specialists will be available throughout the performance to provide assistance as requested or needed.
• Resource Materials: “This Is My Theatre” Social Story Picture Packet, may be downloaded at ucpac.org. Families may use this Social Story tool to help acquaint their children with the experience of going to a live performance.
• Families who have not been to the Union County Performing Arts Center are invited make an appointment at the box office to stop by and visit the theatre space and explore the seating prior to the performance date.

 

 

Autism disorders affect 1 in 88 U.S. children, according to U.S. government estimates. Children with the diagnosis are often sensitive to loud noises and harsh lights, and find it hard to sit still or remain quiet. Autism spectrum disorders include both severe and relatively mild symptoms.

Tickets are available at the UCPAC Box Office at 732-499-8226 or online at ucpac.org.

The UCPAC Box Office, located at 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, is open Tuesday through Friday from 11AM until 5PM and is also open late on Thursdays until 8PM.

Located in the heart of the Rahway Arts District, Union County Performing Arts Center is within walking distance of the Rahway NJ Transit train station. By car, it can be reached by taking exit 135 from the Garden State Parkway or exit 12 from the NJ Turnpike. Parking is available downtown at the Rahway Parking Garage.

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for confidential personal documents will be available on Saturday, August 9, at Kean University in Union

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The August 9th shredding event will take place in the parking lot near Green Lane, on the campus of Kean University, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four, 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. Shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Thursday, September 18, in Linden.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

Public Contact: Recycling Hotline, 908-654-9889

(From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Linda Carter met with Ron Esposito from the New Jersey Automobile Club (AAA) and Christine Marcantonio from the Union County Police Department at the Child Safety Seat Inspection station before the Union County “Family Fun and Flix” drive-in movie night at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. For information about the Union County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program visit www.ucnj.org or call 908-789-6830. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

 

Free Child Safety Seat Inspections

Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Bruce Bergen and Linda Carter visited the Hook a Kid on Golf Camp at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. More than 30 children from Union County participated in the first-ever Hook a Kid Golf Program to take place at the Galloping Hill Golf Course. The program, which is funded through a grant from the United States Golf Association and the Freeholder Board, offers economically disadvantaged children the opportunity to participate for free in introductory sessions for golf.  For more information about Union County’s Division of Golf Operations visit ucnj.org and call 908-241-2042. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados (2nd r) visited Black Brook Park in Kenilworth earlier this summer to help celebrate a nationwide 100-year milestone for Cooperative Extension service programs. Granados joined members of the Union County 3rd Grade 4-H Club (front row), Teen Council (back row), 4-H agent Jim Nichnadowicz (l), and Rutgers Extension Department Head Karen Ensle (r), who planted a new flowering magnolia in the park to commemorate the occasion. (photo by Madeline DiNardo)

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes residents to join the Master Tree Stewards, a volunteer group dedicated to preserving Union County’s natural heritage by reaching out to children and youths. The upcoming schedule of classes to become certified as a Master Tree Steward is now available on the County website, at ucnj.org/rce. No previous experience in tree care or horticulture is required to join.

“Every year our Master Tree Stewards fan out across Union County to help children learn about how trees benefit our neighborhoods and the environment,” said Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak. “The program is a great way to connect youngsters with local role models for nature conservation.”

The Master Tree Stewards is a program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The Union County Extension is one of almost 3,000 county-based Cooperative Extension Service offices established nationwide through the 1914 Smith-Lever Act.

The mission of the Cooperative Extension System is to reach the public with science-based information on nutrition and health, youth development, agriculture, horticulture, and animal husbandry as well as small business and personal finance.

Earlier this summer, the Union County Extension joined in a nationwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, with a ceremonial tree planting at Black Brook Park in Kenilworth.

“Union County is very proud to continue the historic tradition of Smith-Lever. The Extension system enables residents to help strengthen our communities, by learning from the experts and passing their knowledge along to children, teens, and adults,” said Hudak.

The Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station of Rutgers University, supported by the Freeholder Board with offices at the county’s Colleen Frasier Building in Westfield.

For more information about joining the Master Tree Stewards visit ucnj.org/rce or contact 4-H Agent Jim Nichnadowicz at the Extension offices (call 908-654-9854 (press “3”) or  email jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org).

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter attwitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Linda Carter visited the Home Ownership Fair in Plainfield at the Washington Community School on Saturday, July 26, to lend support for efforts to engage residents in home ownership.

The event included information sessions and one-on-one consultations with lending professionals. From left to right: Faith, Bricks, & Mortar Executive Director Horace Baldwin, Plainfield Superintendent of Schools Anna Belin-Pyles, Freeholder Carter, and Donna Morris of the Plainfield Office of Community Development. For more information on housing guidance in Plainfield call Faith, Bricks, and Mortar at 908-756-5774.

[Photo: Brandon Givens/County of Union]

 

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter attwitter.com/countyofunionnj.