Author: Web Site Administrator

Tom Lamparter, a Cranford native who now lives in Louisiana, donates personal care items for the Union County Department of Human Service’s “Care for Neighbors” drive during the Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. The items will help replenish Union County’s emergency shelters, which were depleted in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  (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, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulates Maryanne Matteo of Scotch Plains on winning first place in funniest looking undecorated vegetable category at the second annual Harvest Contest at the Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. The Harvest Contest is sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Union County Freeholder Board. (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, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

WESTFIELD, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi announces that a new service for Union County voters will soon be available at the Westfield Annex of the Clerk’s Office.

“Beginning on Monday, October 3, eligible voters will be able to apply for a Vote By Mail ballot in person at the Westfield Annex, receive their ballot and cast the ballot at the same time,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “This is the first time this one-stop voting service will be available at my Westfield office as well as at the main office in Elizabeth.”

“The new service in Westfield makes voting more accessible, particularly with convenient Saturday office hours and evening hours during the week,” Ms. Rajoppi added. “With the Nov. 8 General Election just a few weeks away, my office is working to make the voting process as fast and convenient as we can for everyone who is registered to vote.”

The opportunity to Vote By Mail in Westfield is another service available at the County Clerk’s new facility, along with passport application and renewal services, registration of Trade Names, and the application and swearing in of Notaries Public.

The Westfield Annex of the County Clerk is located at 300 North Avenue East, Westfield 07090. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Vote By Mail is an easy, secure process that has replaced the Absentee Ballot. Voters do not need to give a reason why they wish to Vote By Mail. To obtain an application form, voters also may pick up the form at their local municipal building; they can download the form at the Union County Clerk’s website:www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/vote-by-mail or they can contact the Union County Clerk at 908-527-4996. The Clerk’s website also includes a video that explains how to fill out the Vote By Mail application form.

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Union County Freeholder Christopher Hudak (R) presents a check to General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee of Linden President Slawomir Niemynski (2nd L) and Vice President Robert Sadowski (L). They are joined by 2011 Grand Marshal Stephen C. Leonard (C) and 2011 Miss Polonia Justyna Kepa who will be representing thousands of residents of the City of Linden at the annual Pulaski Day Parade in New York City on October 2, 2011. (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

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The popular gentle yoga series is returning to Trailside Nature and Science Center on Tuesday evenings this fall as part of the center’s adult programs.  The yoga series, for adults 18 years and older, will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 27, and run for ten consecutive Tuesdays, through Nov. 29. Each session runs from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m.

The fee for Union County residents is $15 per class; out-of-county participants pay $20 per class. Pre-registration is preferred. Walk–ins will be accommodated as space permits. Participants can register for individual sessions.

“This yoga class, held in the beautiful and tranquil setting of the Trailside Visitor Center in Mountainside, is a great opportunity to treat yourself to relaxation of body and mind and to learn methods to reduce the stresses of daily life,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

The Tuesday evening yoga class is an opportunity to learn and experience Raja yoga techniques for integrating body and mind. Yoga instructor Claire M. Bay, certified by the Chopra Center in New York City, is returning to Trailside to teach and guide the participants in this new pathway to meditation.

Yoga techniques can awaken poise and centered awareness in the midst of everyday life. Participants will also learn how to use nature’s healing powers to relieve stress and its symptoms. Soothing music will enhance the overall experience of the session and light refreshments will be served. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to each yoga class and participants are asked to bring a yoga mat or pillow.

The yoga class will be offered on the following Tuesday evenings: Sept. 27; Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25; and Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. For additional information about this yoga series or other adult programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web at www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Ave.) 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 .

(From right) Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Angel G. Estrada and Mohamed Jalloh visit members of Union County Police PBA Local 73 at the Habitat for Humanity project on East Sixth Street in Plainfield where members of PBA Local 73 volunteered and helped build a house that will go to a deserving member of the community. (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

New Jersey American Water has rescinded all restrictions on water use for its customer in the Township of Irvington, the Township of Maplewood, the Township of Millburn (including Short Hills), Springfield Township, the City of Summit, and the Township of West Orange.

The water use restrictions had been in place since August 31 when flood waters from Hurricane Irene disabled the company’s Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant in Short Hills. The plant lost power and more than 47,000 New Jersey American Water customers were either without water or experienced low water pressure. As the company worked to restore power and stability to the plant and the water distribution system, customers were required to curtail using water outdoors.

“The impact of Hurricane Irene presented significant challenges for our customers and for our water operations,” said Steve Tambini, vice president of operations for New Jersey American Water. “From losing water pressure, to having to boil water before consumption, to being required to suspend outdoor water use, our customers have been very patient and understanding. New Jersey American Water thanks them all for their cooperation and we remain committed to providing with reliable, high-quality water service.”

While there is still work to be done, the Canoe Brook Water Treatment Plant has recovered to the point that customers can resume using water without any restrictions. The current 1920s-era water treatment plant is scheduled to be replaced with a new facility, complete with added flood protection, by mid-2012.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – On Sunday, Sept. 25, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks & Community Renewal will host the 30th annual Union County Harvest Festival, rain or shine at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“The 30th annual Union County Harvest Festival promises to be a fun-filled event for visitors of all ages,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Walking through the festival grounds in the picturesque Watchung Reservation will give everyone a chance to see early American history come to life.”

There is no shortage of things to do at Trailside on Sept. 25th. Visitors to the Harvest Festival have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of displays, demonstrations and activities, including music and entertainment, a blacksmith demonstration, children’s games and crafts. An always popular feature will be the “Build a Scarecrow” contest, which requires a nominal fee for participation.

Entertainment will be provided by the Family Traditions country-rock band; the Danny Weiss Trio playing Bluegrass, Americana and Swing music; the Rahway Valley Jerseyaires barbershop singers; and comic juggler Will Shaw.

The festival will include a Native American lodge and artifact displays, storytelling and performances, colonial and Native American crafts and work skills, a petting zoo, pony rides, log sawing and shingle splitting, and so much more.

The Union County Freeholders are pleased to welcome the community lender OneMain Financial as a co-sponsor of the Harvest Festival. OneMain Financial has been serving communities across the country since 1912. For more information about OneMain Financial, visit www.onemainfinancial.com

Vendors will be on site selling a variety of food and beverages.

The 30th annual Harvest Festival will be held rain or shine. So mark your calendar, harvest your family and friends and come on down. Admission is $4 per person, with children ages seven and younger admitted free of charge. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside. Additional information can be obtained by calling 908-789-3670 or by visiting our website atwww.ucnj.org/trailside.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Early American life will be celebrated during the 30th annual Union County Harvest Festival on Sunday, Sept. 25, at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Visitors will enjoy a variety of displays and demonstrations of Early American crafts and work skills, a “Build a Scarecrow” contest, and musical performances from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $4 per person; children ages seven and younger are admitted free of charge. Trailside is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal and is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside. For more information, telephone 908-789-3670 or visit the website: www.ucnj.org

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 .

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, September 24, at the campus of the Union County Vo-Tech Schools, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder 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 Sept. 24th shredding event will take place on the campus of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools, on the south side of Scotch Plains, near the John H. Stamler Police Academy. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck 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. 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 then dumped onto a conveyor belt and put through the shredder. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, Oct. 22, at Alcatel-Lucent in New Providence.

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 Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

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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, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will honor the personal sacrifices of our nation’s prisoners of war and military personnel missing in action at the Union County POW/MIA Recognition Day  Ceremony on Friday, September 16th at 11:15 a.m., in front of the Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.  In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors in the first floor Rotunda of the Courthouse.

Veterans from throughout the area will be in attendance, and the public is welcome to join with Union County in saluting these brave men and women.

Date: Friday, September 16

Time: 11:15 a.m.

Location: Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth NJ

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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.