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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Trailside Museum Association are seeking nominations for this year’s Environmental Hero Awards to honor and recognize individuals or groups who work for environmental protection and improvements in our community.

“We encourage our residents to nominate people in their community who have taken action to help the environment so they can be recognized for their efforts,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “People are working and inspiring others by organizing recycling and planting projects and living more sustainably. These people deserve to be acknowledged for their commitment to helping the environment.”

Each nomination must include an essay of 2,000 words or less describing why the nominee is qualified to receive the award, along with contact information for the nominee and the person submitting the nomination. Photographs may accompany the essay. All entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, April 12.

Trailside Museum Association board members will award prizes to the winners of the Environmental Hero Awards at “Wild Earth Fest” on Sunday, April 28. Nominations for the awards can be emailed tobnovorro@ucnj.org or sent to Becky Novorro at Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092.

Last year, the Woodruff Elementary School in Berkeley Heights was one of the recipients of an Environmental Hero Award. The school was chosen for its actions to improve energy efficiency, extend recycling programs, and continue planting projects that enrich the earth as well as their community. The school sets an excellent example of environmental stewardship by now using solar panels to provide half of the electricity used by the school.

For additional information on the Environmental Hero Awards or other upcoming programs or events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit online at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Bruce Bergen reads to children at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Springfield on March 1 during the Union County Education Association’s annual Read Across America event. Read Across America is an reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading in honor of the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

(From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter and Freeholders Daniel Sullivan and Bette Jane Kowalski present resolutions to the 2013 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Jim Tansey, General Chairwoman Kelly Anne Scanlon and Adjutant Harry Capko congratulating them on the 17th annual parade. The 2013 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 16 on Morris Avenue in Union. For more information please visit www.unioncountystpatricksdayparade.com. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.orghttps://ucnj.org

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebookhttps://ucnj.org/facebook

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Union County, NJ – How will Pinocchio survive the giant whale? How will he save his father? And how will this irrepressible wooden puppet ever achieve his dream of becoming a real boy? The classic adventure of Pinocchio gets a thrilling new twist from The New Jersey Ballet Company, which will perform the children’s ballet Pinocchio on Sunday, March 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

This special performance of Pinocchio is designed for children with autism and related disabilities as part of the Sensory Friendly Theater series sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. An on-stage narrator will tell the story as it unfolds, so even the youngest children can keep up with the action.

Sensory Friendly Theater was established as an initiative of last year’s Union County Freeholder Chairman, Alexander Mirabella. Additional performances have been scheduled this year under the current Chairman, Linda Carter.

“The performing arts provide children with a unique window on the world, and Sensory Friendly Theater helps to ensure that this wonderful experience is accessible to all children in the Union County community,” said Chairman Carter. “The Freeholder Board is proud to continue supporting this series.”

Sensory Friendly Theater creates a judgment-free cultural experience that welcomes children who wish to express their excitement during the performance, or who wish to leave the performance area for some quiet time. Trained staff is also on hand to provide assistance for parents and caregivers if needed.

It is part of the Freeholder Board’s broader commitment to ensure that healthy, enriching activities are available to Union County residents from all walks of life including children, teens and adults with disabilities.

To design the Sensory Friendly Theater series, the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal worked with worked with Paper Mill Playhouse and the Children’s Specialized Hospital as well asAutism Friendly Spaces, an organization that helps people with autism and their families participate in their communities.

The Union County Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation operating in the historic Rahway Theatre, a beautifully preserved former 1920’s vaudeville house and movie palace conveniently located in the heart of the Rahway Arts District at 1601 Irving Street.

Tickets for Pinocchio are $8.00 for all seats. To purchase tickets or to get more information about Pinocchioand Sensory Friendly Theater call the UC PAC box office, 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org.

For information on all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org online or call the Public Info Line toll free, 877-424-1234.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County – The Union County Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to announce the 2013 recipients of the Women of Excellence Awards. The honorees will be celebrated at the 21st annual Women of Excellence dinner on Friday, March 22, 2013 at Galloping Hill Caterers, 325 Chestnut St in Union.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to support the Commission in recognizing the dedication and service of women to their community,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “This year’s nominees are an inspiration to all of us, and I hope that in highlighting their work others will be moved to do the same.”

The Women of Excellence Awards, supported by the Union County Freeholder Board, are presented to recognize and honor distinguished women who reside or work in Union County. The candidates are nominated based on their achievements and the impact of their work on the County of Union in areas like Arts and Humanities, Business, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Medicine/Health Care and/or Women’s Advocacy.

The 2013 honorees and their respective categories are:

• Capt. Roxann Banek of Clark- Law Enforcement
• Eileen Birch of Union- Government
• Andrea Carbine of Cranford– Entrepreneur
• Larissa DePalma of Westfield– Mental Health Advocacy
• Christine Ferdinand of Morris Township, works in New Providence– Community Service
• Dr. Darlene Gibbon of Westfield– Medicine
• Rita Greco of Linden– Arts and Humanities
• Robin Ince of Westfield- Health Education
• Ellen McNally of Morristown, works in Summit – Community Health
• Theresa Mullen, Esq.of Scotch Plains- Law

Tickets for the dinner are available at $45.00 per person by contacting Carol Lombardo, 908-789-0508.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce the 2013 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. Amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult, are invited to enter their original photographs of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Individuals may enter a maximum of two photographs, but only images of wildlife species native to the United States are eligible for submission. Images of exotic wildlife, pets or domestic animals will not be considered. Entries must be un-matted, unframed, 5” x 7” black and white or color prints. Entries must be received by Friday, April 12.

“Wild animals are challenging photographic subjects and the Wildlife Photography Contest is a great opportunity for people of all ages to put their skills to the test and attempt to capture animals in their natural habitat,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

Photographs entered into the Wildlife Photography Contest will be judged by local, professional photographers. Prizes will be awarded in each of three age groups: 6 to 11 years, 12 to 17, and 18 and older, based on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 28, during Trailside’s Wild Earth Fest. All photographs will be displayed at Trailside’s Visitor Center through May 24.

The winners of last year’s Wildlife Photography Contest included James Caratolozzo of Hillsborough (18 and older) for his photo of a white-tailed deer fawn; Melissa Peterson of New Providence (12 to 17) for her photograph of a laughing gull; and J.T. Bokoske of Kenilworth (6 to 11) for his photograph of a dragonfly.

To obtain a brochure with the complete rules and an entry form for the Wildlife Photography Contest, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (L) present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical Schools students and Schools Superintendent Peter Capodice (R) in honor of “National Career and Technical Education Month.” The students are (from left): Sean Pruszkowski of Union, Eryka Cedano of Roselle, Matthew Stone of Springfield, Kiana Barcelona of Union, Kyra Morling of Fanwood, James L. Grundy III of Plainfield, Hashem Selim of Plainfield, Julia Hodczak of Union, Justin Sitler of Cranford and Kaitlyn Iglesias of Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Since 2002, employees of the County of Union, New Jersey, and their family members have participated in a unique program that gives them the opportunity to display their artistic creations. In its ongoing effort to recognize and encourage creative and artistic accomplishment, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in partnership with The National Arts Program®, is pleased to announce the twelfth annual exhibition of artwork by County of Union workers and their families.

“What a pleasure it is to see the outstanding artwork done by Union County employees and family members,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “Whether they are new artists or people who have exhibited before, the participants display a wide variety of work that always impresses with its quality.”

Entries will be accepted in the categories of painting, photography, artworks on paper, sculpture and crafts. Recognized artists and art professionals will serve as judges, selecting entrants for cash awards and honorable mention in the exhibition’s five artistic classifications: amateur (little or no experience); intermediate (some experience, art students); professional (serious art training or employed in an art related job); teens 13 to 18 years old; and youth age 12 and younger.

“We are happy to extend the invitation to enter the program to retired employees of the County of Union and their families this year,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We share the goal of The National Arts Program® to reach as many people as possible of all ages, offering them a chance to display their artistic talents in a public exhibition.”

In the adult classifications, each first-place winner will receive $300; second place will receive $200 each; and third place; $100 each. There is one $300 prize for Best in Show. In each youth classification, $75 will go to first-place winners; $50 to second place; and $25 to third place. The prizes are provided by The National Arts Program®.

The National Arts Program® runs 90 annual programs reaching 450 cities in 42 states. The program was conceived in 1983 by Leonard E.B. Andrews (1925-2009), an art collector, publisher, business executive and journalist, “for the encouragement and development of artistic expression.” The National Arts Program® allows artists to upload their artwork, free of charge, to their online Interactive Gallery. To learn more about The National Arts Program® and see photos from past exhibits, or for Union County employees to register online, please visit http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/venues/union-county-nj .

Registration for the art exhibit is required by April 18. Early registration is encouraged.

To request a registration form and further information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: (908) 558-2550 or e-mail:culturalinfo@ucnj.org . NJ relay users call 711. For more information about programs and activities of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit their web site: https://ucnj.org/cultural .

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter (R) and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (L) present a resolution to Sean Pruszkowski of Union (3rd L) and Hashem Selim of Plainfield to recognize the week of February 16-23, 2013 as “National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week” throughout Union County. They are joined by Peter Capodice, Superintendent of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools and Bonnie Baldasrae, the Future Farmers of America Advisor at the schools.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a program for adults at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside entitled “Whimsical Wall Hangings” on Thursday, March 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The fee for this program is $15 for Union County residents and $20 for out-of-county participants.

“This engaging and satisfying workshop taps our creativity, while utilizing the natural materials found all around us,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The workshop, taught by Trailside park naturalist Ruth Yablonsky and exhibit artist Susan Anderson, offers an opportunity to create peaceful, natural wall hangings that will enhance your home. Using dried natural materials, such as goldenrod, wild grasses, dried leaves and grape vines gathered from the Watchung Reservation, participants will make their own unique adornment. Bring your imagination and a glue gun and pruning shears if you have them.

For additional information about this lecture or other adult programs or upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .