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Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Advocate Gary Whyte presents Freeholder Angel G. Estrada with a plaque thanking him for his help in spreading the word about the FOP Awareness Initiative. FOP is a rare, disabling genetic condition that causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to introduce Curby the Recycling Robot – the newest educational tool aimed at encouraging our local communities to recycle.  Union County’s new fun and interactive recycling robot is part of an overall effort to help Union County achieve the 50% state-mandated recycling rate. 

“In one of the most densely populated counties in the state, it’s especially important for each of us to understand how human behavior impacts the environment,” said Freeholder Chairman, Bruce H. Bergen. “Curby is an engaging tool to promote increased recycling efforts by delivering a message of environmental awareness and litter prevention throughout the county.”  

Curby is a fully animated recycling robot – he moves, speaks, listens and plays sounds and music.  His mouth lights up  in sync with the operators voice, his arms move up and down, his hands open and close, his eyes and eyebrows are fully functional and his lid rises and falls. 

Curby can talk trash with recycling facts and animation that leaves a uniquely memorable impression with those who interact with the robot. Offering a variety of dynamic recycling presentations and interactions that are almost unlimited, Curby increases recycling education participation levels and environmental awareness.

A service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Curby is the newest member of the Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning through the Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities Management. For more information about Union County’s recycling program visit ucnj.org/recycle.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate the 75^th season of programs at Trailside with the popular adult workshop Flower Arranging, on Thursday November 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.   The class is well timed to meet the challenges of dressing the holiday table with style and beauty. 

“What better way to prepare for the holidays, than with a relaxing and creative flower arranging workshop,” said  Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Kurt Christoffers, master floral designer and owner of the innovative Christoffers Flowers of Mountainside, demonstrates how to arrange a centerpiece using nature’s best harvest.   Participants can relax as they watch Kurt gracefully design an artistic piece.  Floral material and a container will be provided for each participant.   Participants should bring their own shears or clippers if they have them.  Each student will take home their own unique arrangements.  The fee is $25 for residents of Union County and $30 for out of county residents.

Mark your calendar for Saturday November 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. when NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo lectures on the fascinating,Encounter with Pluto.  The lecturer explains how each of our solar system’s planets was discovered, highlighting Pluto, a place never before visited.  The lecturer offers an engaging presentation about New Horizons, NASA’s mission to the far reaches of our solar system.  The audience will be treated to amazing photos and learn of surprising discoveries made about this dwarf planet.  This lecture is free. High School Students are welcomed.

     The final program of the season is Project WILD, a teacher training workshop offered on Thursday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The workshop offers a multitude of interdisciplinary hands-on and educational activities, teacher tested and classroom ready for K-12 students. It can assist the teacher in preparing  lessons on math, science, social studies, literary and art for any grade level.   The lessons are correlated to NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards.  Participants receive six (6) NJDOE credits.  Morning refreshments are served.  Bring lunch.   The fee is $20.  The curriculum guide is included in the cost of the program.

Registration is available online for these programs and other activities at Trailside by visiting www.ucnj.org/trailside, and click the online registration tab.  Registration is also available in person from 12:00-4:45 PM daily.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.  For more information please call Trailside at 908-789-3670.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate the 75^th season of programs at Trailside with an astronomy lecture for adults, “Encounter with Pluto”, which  will take place on Saturday November 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  

“Astronomy is a subject of endless fascination and amazement and this lecture will not disappoint the listener,” notes Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.  

The popular lecturer and NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo, returns to Trailside for a talk on this intriguing subject.  Cirillo’s lecture explains how each of our solar system’s planets was discovered, highlighting Pluto, a place never before visited.  The lecturer offers an engaging presentation about New Horizons, NASA’s mission to the far reaches of our solar system.  The audience will be treated to amazing photos and will learn of surprising discoveries made about this dwarf planet.  This lecture is free. High School Students are welcomed.

The final program of the season is Project WILD, a teacher training workshop offered on Thursday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The workshop offers a multitude of interdisciplinary hands-on and educational activities, teacher tested and classroom ready for K-12 students. It can assist the teacher in preparing lessons on math, science, social studies, literary and art for  any grade level.   The lessons are correlated to NJ Core Curriculum Content

Standards.  Participants receive six (6) NJDOE credits.  Morning refreshments are served.  Bring lunch.   The fee is $20.  The curriculum guide is included in the cost of the program.

Registration is available online for these programs and other activities at Trailside by visiting www.ucnj.org/trailside, and click the online registration tab.  Registration is also available in person from 12:00-4:45 PM daily.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.  For more information please call Trailside at 908-789-3670.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation invite individuals and organizations to a free program designed to help in overcome the challenges faced both personally and professionally in the business world.

This free program takes place on Monday, November 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Liberty Hall Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Ave., Union, NJ.

“This free interactive workshop will provide the processes and tools necessary to establish, implement and hold yourself accountable to your and your organization’s short–and long–term goals,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “We’re looking forward to a lively and informative session.”

Consultant Susan Koblin Schear, will lead the workshop. She was recently named as Deputy Director for the Newark Arts Council (Newark, NJ). Ms. Schearfounded ARTISIN, LLC in 1995 to offer comprehensive, process-oriented and holistically-based planning and business development, management and implementation services to the arts and cultural sector. As an established speaker, moderator, facilitator and trainer, she designs and presents innovative, customized, professional development workshops and seminars throughout the country. She is a visiting assistant professor at Pratt Institute’s Graduate Arts and Cultural Management Program.

This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The workshop is free, but prior registration is required by November 10.  To register, please email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org or 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.

The Freeholder Board is pleased that the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center is holding a recruiting event for 30 full-time and part-time positions at Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth.

The event is being held November 1^st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Workforce Innovation Business Center, at the Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth.  Pre-registration is required. For information and to register, please call the Center at 908-355-4444 or email baptiste@uccc.edu.

Sat., Oct 22, 2016 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Plainfield Public Library

More than 40 people including Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who organized the event, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, retired NY Giants stars Chris Snee, Rich Seubert, Charles Way, and Deon Grant joined members of Univision AM and FM Radio, Coors Light,  Operation Rebound—The Challenged Athletes Foundation, representatives of the Elizabeth Board of Education, the County of Union and other members of the NY Giants organization in a cleanup of Warinanco Park in Elizabeth and Roselle.  Dozens of garbage bags were collected in the effort. This is the third year in a row that Vice Chairman Granados has organized a cleanup of a County Park through the Giants, Univision, and Coors Light.

Elizabeth School teacher Edward Dieguez, retired NY Giants player Charles Way,  Jessica Daniels  and Cassie Petty of the NY Giants organization, retired NY Giants players Chris Snee and Rich Seubert,  Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, and Amanda DiPane of the NY Giants organization.

The Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County, Inc. (HLEAUC, Inc.) has selected to honor Union County Vice Chairman Sergio Granados as a Community Leader for his commitment to the Union County community and his continued efforts to achieve social unity and economic equality among all residents. Vice Chairman Granados will be formally honored at the HLEAUC 25^th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance in Elizabeth, NJ.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized among this year’s law enforcement and community leader honorees – each of whom exemplifies the laudable mission of the HLEAUC,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados. “Achieving diversity in law enforcement and community leadership builds trust in the community and helps to establish effective policing by public safety officials and leaders who are sworn to serve.”

“Freeholder Vice Chairman Granados embodies what our association is all about. He’s a leader in our community who works tirelessly to unite and improve all of the communities throughout Union County. His diligence has made monumental strides throughout and even more for our association,” said Louis DeMondo of Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County, Inc.

Tickets to the HLEAUC 25^th Anniversary Gala are $125 per person and are available now through Friday, October 21. Each ticket includes sit down dinner with meal selection, open bar, and cocktail reception. The evening also includes live music from Grammy-nominee, and New Jersey native Frankie Negron, with music by DJ Frankie Vera.  For more information or to purchase tickets through the HLEACU visit hleauc.org or call (908) 219-9109.

HLEAUC is a non-profit organization comprised of law enforcement officers and community leaders from throughout Union County.  The mission of HLEAUC is to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the Hispanic community, to reaffirm commitment to diversity in employment and to promote integrity and professionalism in law enforcement. Central to the HLEAUC mission is the formation of partnerships with education and civic community groups.

HLEAUC promotes diversity in law enforcement through scholarships, sponsored training and educational programs, as well as outreach programs in partnership with the community – assisting residents of Hispanic heritage to become law enforcement officials and community leaders of the future.

Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, a native of Elizabeth and community activist who has experience working with non-profits and volunteer organizations, was elected to his first full term to the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder in 2013 – becoming the youngest Democratic Freeholder ever elected in the State of New Jersey. Granados also holds a Masters in Public Administration from Kean University.

Through his work on the Freeholder Board, Granados has emphasized community outreach and fiscal reform, workforce initiatives that have created over 1,000 job opportunities in 2015 alone,  parks and educational improvements, and additional initiatives to benefit veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In 2015, Granados founded Moving New Jersey Forward, a community-based non-profit, whose mission is to raise awareness and education efforts at the local and national level about social justice issues.

In addition, Granados has a long record of activism, he has served with many organizations, including Hispanos Unidos, the Elizabeth Lions Club, the Portuguese Instructive Social Club, the Elizabeth Portugal Day Committee, Union County Latino-American Chamber of Commerce, New Leaders Council-New Jersey & Shaping Elizabeth.

The HLEAUC 25^th Anniversary Gala will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance in Elizabeth, NJ. For more information about the Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County, Inc. (HLEAUC, Inc.) visit hleauc.org.