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Free Watershed Presentations Offered by Union County and AmeriCorps

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is sponsoring a special science program that will visit grammar schools, high schools and community groups to discuss watershed ecology. This free, 30-45-minute, in-house science presentation relates watershed and environmental concepts in a fun and meaningful way.

A watershed is a specific land area that drains into a river system or other body of water. Since 1999, these interactive, “hands-on” earth science presentations incorporating a three-dimensional land use model have been receiving positive reviews from students and teachers alike.

“This is a full period of interesting material for students, scouts and ecology clubs,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “Kids love coming to the watershed model and participating.”

Teachers, students and community members will discover how human behavior can impact the land and water around them. Most importantly, the program offers easy, practical solutions that everyone can implement to reduce pollution and improve water quality, such as eliminating or minimizing the use of pesticides on lawns, picking up pet waste, and not feeding waterfowl such as ducks and geese.

The presentations are offered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Program. Additionally, the Watershed Ambassador Program offers stream assessment training for individuals and groups. To schedule a free presentation or training, call Shahira Morell, the Watershed Ambassador for Watershed Management Area #7 at 908-789-3209.

Shahira Morell, watershed ambassador from Union County’s Department of Parks and Community Renewal and the New Jersey AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, prepares for upcoming watershed presentations using the Enviroscape, a 3-D model. To schedule a free watershed presentation in your community, please call 908-789-3209.

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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 .

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Construction Begins on New Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced the start of construction for a new state-of-the-art clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, at a groundbreaking ceremony held on the site today, Tuesday September 27. The new clubhouse will include a full slate of amenities for golfers along with a conference center, restaurant and banquet facilities. It will also serve as the new headquarters for the New Jersey State Golf Association.

The facility will be run by the internationally renowned company KemperSports, which manages Union County’s golf operations.

“The completion of the new state of the art Galloping Hill Clubhouse will be the final phase of a fiscal turnaround plan for golf operations,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The improvements we have made including our partnerships with Kemper, TaylorMade, the First Tee program, and the New Jersey State Golf Association have exceeded our expectations and will ensure the Galloping Hill golf experience will be phenomenal.”

The 43,000 square foot, LEED Silver Certified clubhouse will include a conference center, pro shop, 300 person banquet facility, bar and grill, private dining room, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the golf course. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2012 golf season.

“We are excited to relocate the NJSGA to the clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course. We look forward to welcoming golfers from throughout the State to share in the superb golf experience at this course,” said John B. Murray, president, New Jersey State Golf Association. “The NJSGA is proud to be a part of this project and looks forward to occupying the new clubhouse upon completion next year.”

In 2008 Union County golf operations incurred a loss of $650,000. The fiscal turnaround plan included hiring a professional management company and opening a new driving range and learning center. The total cost of the upgrades is $17 million which includes the construction of the TaylorMade Performance Lab, the new driving range and the Clubhouse.

In the two years since the implementation of the fiscal turnaround plan, golf operations experienced a $300,000 increase in revenue in 2010.

Construction has already begun on the new TaylorMade Performance Lab at Galloping Hill. Performance Lab represents the latest and most cutting edge swing analysis and club fitting technologies TaylorMade has to offer. The building is expected to be open to the public in late 2011.

On completion of both the TaylorMade Performance Lab and new clubhouse, Galloping Hill will be the premier municipal golf facility in the state of New Jersey, capable of handling 800 guests at a time.

“This state-of-the-art clubhouse will be a tremendous addition to the overall golf experience at Galloping Hill,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We are excited to welcome the NJSGA to the new home for golf in New Jersey.”

About New Jersey State Golf Association
The New Jersey State Golf Association is a non-profit organization of member clubs and courses dedicated to the service of golf in New Jersey. Founded in 1900, the Association was formed for the purpose of promoting and conserving the true spirit of the game throughout New Jersey. Now in its 108th year, the NJSGA has continued to grow and serves over 275 clubs, courses and organizations representing over 100,000 golfers throughout the State.

About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort and Chambers Bay, host of the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information, visit www.kempersports.com.

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Crafters Wanted for 28th Annual Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature & Science Center, Dec. 4

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal invite local crafters and artisans to market their wares at Union County’s 28th Annual Holiday Nature Craft Show on Sunday, December 4. The show will be held at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The craft show usually features more than 40 vendors selling handcrafted items,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “A number of openings are still available for crafters who make natural wreaths, ornaments, handmade gift baskets, hand-painted or stenciled home décor and maple syrup.”

Also sought are vendors who create garden art, live green arrangements, basketry, unique children’s toys, stained glass and gift items with wildlife, gardening or nature themes. Interested crafters should contact Karen Pedersen at Trailside by calling 908-789-3670, ext. 7913, or e-mail: kpedersen@ucnj.org.

The Holiday Nature Craft Show, which is being held in conjunction with the Union County Menorah and Tree Lighting Celebration, will offer numerous other activities, including caroling and a visit from Santa. A Charity Drive for the collection of canned or dry food items and new toys for distribution through local charities will also be held.

For additional information about this event please call Trailside Nature & Science Center 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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Photo: Paul Rodgers Performs at MusicFest

Singer Paul Rodgers performs at MusicFest during the 2011 Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

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Photo: Neon Trees Performs at MusicFest

The band Neon Trees performs at MusicFest during the 2011 Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

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

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Photo: Blondie Performs at MusicFest

Blondie performs at MusicFest during the 2011 Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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Union County Extends Snap Food Benefit Application Process Two Additional Days For Hurricane Victims

Income eligible residents may apply in person until September 23rd at County Social Services Buildings in Elizabeth and Plainfield and temporary site in Rahway

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced they are extending the deadline two more days — until Friday September 23 — for the application process of a food benefit program aimed at assisting victims of Hurricane Irene.

Under its guidelines, County residents who suffered losses due to Hurricane Irene may be eligible for a one-time food benefit ranging from $200 to a maximum of $1202. Residents meeting the Federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program income guidelines can apply until September 23rd at three locations: Union County’s Social Services offices in Elizabeth and Plainfield along with a temporary site at 65 East Cherry Street that has been established specifically for this purpose.

“There are many residents who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Irene and need help to make ends meet,” Freeholder Chairwoman Deborah Scanlon said. “We certainly encourage those who are in need and may be eligible to apply for food assistance.”

The amount of the assistance varies according to gross monthly income and family size. County social services staff has received training from the State and will assist eligible residents in completing a short application. If approved, the benefit will be electronically applied to a debit/credit card and will be available within three days of completing the application.

For residents already receiving SNAP benefits, the one-time benefit will be applied to their cards. All three sites will be open to take applications until the deadline from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

LOCATIONS:

ELIZABETH: The Union County Social Services Building is located at 342 Westminster Avenue in Elizabeth.

PLAINFIELD: The Union County Social Services Building in Plainfield is located at 200 West Second Street in Plainfield. 908-757-9090

RAHWAY: 65 East Cherry Street in Rahway.

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PHOTO: Passport Fair at County Clerk’s Westfield Office

Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (C) and Union County Freeholder Linda Carter (R) speak with Ilene Linda Zelkin of Westfield during a recent Passport Fair at County Clerk’s Westfield Office. Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s main office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth or at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online at https://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports. The phone number at the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook

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Photo: “ShopRite Partners In Caring Day”

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich cuts the ribbon to start “ShopRite Partners In Caring Day” at the ShopRite supermarket on West Grand Street in Elizabeth. He is joined by ShopRite employees Carlos Figueroa, Margarita Vazquez and Denise Greaves (L). The second annual “ShopRite Partners In Caring Day” puts the spotlight on the important issue of hunger in local communities by calling on officials and dignitaries to spend time in their local ShopRite stores bagging groceries, collecting donations and talking to customers about the growing need for support of local food banks. ShopRite Partners In Caring is a year-round, community-based, hunger-fighting initiative that works with 50 food industry manufacturers to provide more than $2 million annually to qualified charitable agencies in New Jersey and five other states. Since its inception in 1999, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated $24 million to more than 1,700 charities. Sheriff Froehlich and ShopRite have been working together locally to combat hunger for more than 20 years. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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Learn to Cook Root Vegetables with Chef Melody at Trailside, Oct. 3

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to offer a unique cooking class at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. On Monday, October 3, adults, 18 and older, can join celebrity chef Melody McGinley Whitelaw for a class on “Cooking with Root Vegetables.”

“The autumn harvest provides us with a bounty of healthy and delicious vegetables that can be creatively utilized in numerous dishes,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “This class offers food lovers a great opportunity to learn how to make healthy dishes with the guidance of a renowned chef.”

This two-hour class will run from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and the fee is $20 for Union County residents and $25 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is required.

Chef Melody McGinley Whitelaw, owner of the catering company “The Main Event by Melody” and guest chef on WOR Radio for 22 years, will demonstrate the preparation of healthful, savory recipes using autumn root vegetables. Participants will learn how to make delicious, seasonal meals utilizing the garden’s best fall root vegetables and then feast on the recipes prepared during class.

A resident of Morristown, Chef Melody grew up in southern California and was a chef for over 35 years for the movie industry, alongside her father, a movie shoot caterer and Big Band singer. In addition to being a guest chef on WOR Radio for many years, Chef Melody also cooks for Scott and Todd in the Morning on WPLJ. She also is passionate about teaching kids to cook healthy and green and does so with her “Kids’ Green Kitchen,” a program designed to teach children how to cook healthy meals and snacks.

To pre-register for this cooking class or for information about other upcoming programs or events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit 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, or on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .