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Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Vernell Wright joined New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) Legislative Director Allen A. Weston in presenting NJAC Foundation scholarship checks and certificates to Union County Vocational Technical Schools graduates Arol Jan Millado of Elizabeth, Adrianna Sabat of Linden and Sol Condo of Cranford. The scholarships are funded by Investors Bank and PSE&G.

The NJAC Foundation is a non-profit organization affiliated with the New Jersey Association of Counties, and is committed to providing innovative educational opportunities for county vocational-technical school and county college students.

Please visit www.njac.org for additional details about NJAC and the NJAC Foundation.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2016 Union County Library Grant awards to 20 public libraries. The grants will be used to broaden and strengthen children’s programs in Union County libraries (scroll down for photos).

“Educational activities are a fundamental part of a library’s mission, and these grants will help our local public libraries meet the growing demand for up-to-date children’s programming throughout the Union County community,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The Library Grant program amount this year totaled almost $150,000, more than double the amount of the 2015 program.

“Last year was the inaugural year of the grant program, and the enthusiastic response from Union County libraries demonstrated that there was strong demand for continuing the program this year, and expanding it as well,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who originated the grant program.

The program is funded with non-tax dollars for the benefit of local, non-school libraries. It is designed to help libraries upgrade facilities, programming and materials that directly benefit children’s literature and activities. The grant program also covers planning documents.

The 2016 grant recipients will use their funds for various projects including science programs, coding classes, robotics clubs, summer and after-school reading programs, technology upgrades, children’s books, educational toys, and furniture for children’s areas.

The Library Grants Program is part of Chairman Bergen’s “Union County at Work and Play” 2016 initiative for countywide economic development and quality of life improvements.

For more information on all of the 2016 Chairman’s Initiatives visit ucnj.org.

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20 Public Libraries	Amount Awarded
Berkeley Heights	$7,250.00
Clark	$7,500.00
Cranford	$7,464.65
Elizabeth	$7,500.00
Fanwood	$7,498.34
Garwood	$7,500.00
Hillside	$7,500.00
Kenilworth	$7,498.00
Linden	$6,082.60
Mountainside	$7,500.00
New Providence	$7,467.16
Plainfield	$7,764.00
Rahway	$7,540.00
Roselle	$7,500.00
Roselle Park	$7,495.24
Scotch Plains	$7,450.00
Springfield	$7,503.00
Summit	$7,500.00
Union	$7,764.00
Westfield	$7,437.00
Grand Total	$148,713.99

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites local business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs to register for the first annual Union County Means Business Expo scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course.

Registration is available now for individual attendees as well as vendors at ucnj.org/ucmb.

“The Business Expo is an expansion of the Union County Means Business initiative designed to connect Union County business and industry,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “Whether you are participating as a vendor or if you are going as an attendee, the Business Expo offers the benefits of an effective networking opportunity in a relaxed environment.”

Offering an outlet for local businesses to showcase their products or services, the trade show Business Expo is an opportunity for local businesses to network with other business leaders, expand their customer base, and generate market awareness.

The Business Expo is the first business to business trade show networking event presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in conjunction with Union County Means Business (UCMB) through the Union County Workforce Development Board and partnering organizations.

“The Freeholder Board is committed to supporting programs that build partnerships and connect the business community with resources to promote economic development in Union County,” said Chairman Bergen.

In addition to the Freeholder Board, this year’s Union County Means Business Expo partners include The New Jersey Small Business Development Center, Union County Economic Development Corp, Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, Union County College, and Union Township Chamber of Commerce.

To register online visit uncj.org/ucmb; or for more information contact the Union County Department of Economic Development at 908-659-7412. 

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Roberta Zlatkin of Union in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “Frontier Z: The Alchemy Series” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through October 21. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Zlatkin’s beautiful abstract watercolors.”

After graduating high school, Roberta Zlatkin went to New York City to study print making and textiles at the Art Students League. She was influenced by American Abstract Expressionists and other Modern Art of the early 20th century. The American Abstract Expressionists were a group inspired by the ebb and flow of New York City in post-World War II during the late 1940’s. Her artistic style was also influenced by the people she met from different parts of the world while in New York.

Returning home to New Jersey, she changed her path in life and entered Kean College where she studied art history and other areas of art and earned a degree in primary education. Ms. Zlatkin became a school teacher in the Elizabeth School System and enjoyed her career working with young children. After retiring in 2010 she pursued her work with watercolors more intensely.

Roberta Zlatkin said of her painting, “The four elements found in nature; water, air, earth and fire are key elements in my work. Sometimes the colors flow through my mind as if a powerful energy of how I am feeling on that day. I just go with the flow and paint.” She enjoys working with watercolors with metallic wash mixed in fine glitter with India ink and faux crystals.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Senator Raymond Lesniak, Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel, Union County Improvement Authority Executive Director Daniel Sullivan and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Student Development Building on the Cranford Campus.

The new 30,000 square feet state-of-the –art building is home of the Helen E. Chaney Student Services Center which will serve as the focal point for all student services.

The construction of the new facility was funded by the Union County Board of Freeholders and the project was managed by Union County Improvement Authority.

For more information about Union County College visit www.ucc.edu.

The Evening will also feature a Harvest Contest Sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues this coming Wednesday evening August 17, with Hey Bulldog taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder and sponsored by the Union County Education Association.

“There are just a couple of more weeks to enjoy some great musical entertainment in our parks,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “And be sure to arrive early to participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

Playing the music of the Beatles, Hey Bulldog is a diverse group of musicians from the New Brunswick area who joined together for an open jam to play Beatles songs on John Lennon’s birthday, and have been playing together ever since. Members stay true to their individual style, playing some of the best songs ever written with creativity, passion, and originality.

While enjoying the wonderful music, concertgoers can visit Tony’s Traveling Trattoria which will treat your palate to excellent Italian comfort food. Also the Good Humor Truck will be on site hosted by TG and Sons serving ice cream and snacks. Attendees can also pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with Crunch Fitness of Garwood presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

Along with the music and yoga, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County will sponsor a Harvest Contest, running from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Contestants can bring their entries to the Rutgers table located by the bandstand. The contest categories will include heaviest tomato and heaviest zucchini, funniest looking vegetables and best vegetable character. Concert goers will be invited to vote between 7:00 p.m. and during the first music set. All winners will be announced at intermission and receive a certificate and small gardening prize.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs will also be on hand at the concert to provide information on the workings of their office.

The 2016 Union County Summer Arts Festival will conclude on Wednesday, August 24th at Oak Ridge Park with N.Y. State of Mind performing a Billy Joel Tribute.

Please visit www.ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.