Author: Web Site Administrator

(From left) Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Vernell Wright, Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi and Freeholder Sergio Granados congratulate Bruce Long (3rd L) of Westfield on winning first place in the intermediate category at the 13th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen, Vernell Wright (2nd R) Bette Jane Kowalski (R) congratulate Kelly Capasso of Cranford on winning first place in the teen category at the 13th Annual Union County Employee Art Show during the opening reception at the Elizabethtown Gas Company’s Liberty Hall Center in Union. The contest, co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and The National Arts Program Foundation, was open to Union County employees and their relatives. The exhibit will be open to the public weekdays until May 27, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located at Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union Township.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

RAHWAY, NJ – Most teenagers daydream about singing or dancing on a stage before a live audience. That dream becomes reality for some Union County middle and high school students at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14th when their performances are showcased at the Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, in Rahway’s downtown arts district.

Instrumental groups, vocal groups, pianists, dancers, theater performances and visual artists were selected for the May 14th Showcase from the 4,000 students who participated at the 2014 Teen Arts Festival at Union County College in Cranford in March. The annual Festival is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and coordinated by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“The Teen Arts Festival is a wonderful opportunity for students to interact with professional artists while sharing their own talents with students from other schools,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Students appearing in the Showcase represent many of the performing arts disciplines and the municipalities that participated in the 2014 Festival.”

The Teen Arts Festival is a two-day celebration of the arts where students and a staff of 50 professional artists participate in performances, critiquing seminars, master classes and workshops in every discipline – visual arts, music, creative writing, theater, media arts and dance. The Festival’s focus is not on competition but an opportunity for students to develop perceptual, intellectual and technical skills; gain cultural awareness and understanding; develop personal, aesthetic values; and learn self-discipline, critical thinking and problem solving through analyzing, interpreting and making judgments.

The Teen Arts Showcase is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Performing Arts Center. Teachers, fellow students, friends and family members of participating students are invited to attend the Showcase along with the general public.  Admission is free.  For more information 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.  Or send e-mail to:Culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

-END-

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that Union County has officially recognized May as Community Action Month. The designation, approved by resolution on April 24, celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the national Community Action initiative and highlights the impact of Community Action Agencies on the quality of life in Union County and the nation.

“Community Action Agencies have a provide those in need with a helping hand to a more economically secure footing,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “By recognizing National Community Action Month we affirm the value of working to ensure improved health and safe living conditions for all Union County households.”

Participants in Community Action Month include Trinitas Hospital and Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey, which will present information about their services from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 7, at the Gill Apartments in Cranford.

In addition, the following events have been coordinated to take place in Elizabeth on Friday May 16, which is recognized as National Community Action Day:

• The Urban League of Union County will hold an Open House to present information about emergency assistance from 9:00 a.m.to 12:00 noon at 288 North Broad Street.
• The Salvation Army will host an “Ice Cream for Lunch” to present information about emergency housing services, from 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. at 1018 East Grand Street.
• The Gateway Family YMCA will host a Housing Open House from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 135 Madison Avenue.

Community Action Agencies were established in 1964, as part of the federal Economic Opportunity Act signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Today, there are approximately 1,100 Community Action Agencies covering 99% of America’s counties in suburban, rural, and urban communities.

In partnership with other social services agencies, the Department of Human Services provides thousands of Union County residents with assistance in meeting vital needs including food, rent, mortgage, and utility service.

The Department of Human Services also provides assistance with emergency and disaster relief, financial literacy, emergency shelter at night, health care, employment, and counseling for mental health issues including substance abuse.

Within the department, the Division on Aging and the Office for the Disabled provide resources and referrals to Union County residents from all walks of life.

For more information about Community Action Month events and other services for low income individuals and families, contact Leslie Gutierrez, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, 908-527-4861.

For information about all other Human Services and Union County government services and programs, visit the Union County government website, ucnj.org.

##

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – A free public information event on injury prevention and other guidance for seniors and their caregivers will take place on Friday, May 23 at the Cranford campus of Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue. The event is sponsored by the Union County Department of Human Services in partnership with Union County College and the Psi Beta Honor Society.

Free blood pressure screenings will be available at the event, which also includes information on home care, care giver services, nutrition, legal services, and transportation services.

“By cutting down on your risk of injury, you can help ensure that your later years are healthy, active, and independent,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “I encourage seniors, their families, and caregivers to stop by the Cranford campus on May 23 to learn some reliable strategies for avoiding injury at home and outside.

Nationwide, millions of seniors are medically treated and tens of thousands die annually as a result of injuries, mostly due to falls.

The event is being held in recognition of May as Older Americans Month, a national designation that began in 1963. This year’s theme is “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow.”

In addition to providing information specific to injury prevention, personnel from the Division of Aging and Disability Resource Connection of the Union County’s Department of Human Services will be on hand to provide information on a wide range of resources for seniors, their families, and caregivers.

For more information about this event and other services and resources for senior adults age 60 and older and their families, call the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Center toll free at 888-280-8226 or visit ucnj.org/aging.

##

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak (4th R) led the ground breaking on the construction of a $11 million expansion of the West Hall building for the Union County Vocational-Technical School High School in Scotch Plains. He was joined by (from left) Scotch Plains Mayor Kevin Glover, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Schools Interim Executive Superintendent Kathleen Serafino, UCVTS Board of Education President Jane Lorber, Assemblywoman Linda Stender, UCVTS Superintendent Peter Capodice, Freeholder Bruce Bergen, Freeholder Vernell Wright and Union County Deputy County Manager William Reyes.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

SCOTCH PLAINS— Union County elected officials, school administrators, teachers and students today broke ground on the construction of a $11 million expansion of the West Hall building for the Union County Vocational-Technical School High School.

The expanded, two-story, steel-frame academic building will service the district’s four-year, full-time Union County Vocational-Technical High School (UCTech) and will open in September, with more than 300 students expected to be using the facility.

“We’re hoping the next generation of Union County’s entrepreneurs, builders and creators will be educated here,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak, who also serves as a Freeholder liaison to Vo-Tech School Board. “We’re proud to be investing in our children’s future, and it pays off as Union County’s Vocational-Technical education system is one of the strongest in New Jersey.”

The 38,000 square-foot addition will contain 10 new classrooms, two new computer labs for biology and chemistry-physics, a faculty room, administration office, and a 1,200 square foot fitness center with adjoining health classroom. The total project cost of the expansion—approximately $11 million—will be financed through a county bond issue. The architect for the project is Netta Architects of Mountainside, and the general contractor is Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan, NJ. Pinnacle Construction Management of Newark, is the construction manager.

“The addition to West Hall will be used to provide all the academic programs for UCTech full time students,” said Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter A. Capodice. “At this time, all UCTech full-time students receive the academic portion of their program in our Academy for Information Technology (AIT at Bistocchi Hall). This will allow us to grow both the AIT and UCTech programs.”

UCTech is one of the five academies at the school, and offers students a four-year, full-time program that combines high-end academics with access to the career or technical training program of their choice. Students at UC Tech follow a comprehensive high school education program while simultaneously pursuing opportunities to study traditional vocational-technical programs. These programs include automotive technology, building trades, communication, public safety, culinary arts and cosmetology, among the 20 or programs.

UCTech, recipient of the “National Blue Ribbon School Award” in 2013, also has highly specialized career academies under its umbrella including Exercise Physiology and Related Sciences; the UCTech School of Design, and  the Teacher Education Academy.

Union County Vocational Technical High School’s shared-time vocational-technical training programs serves over 600 Union County high school students in 23 occupational areas as well as over 150 post-secondary adults. The District’s apprenticeship program continues to be the largest program in New Jersey serving over 2,500 apprentices.

More than 1,300 students—plus an additional 580 shared time students—attend all five academies of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools system. In 2013 both the Academy for Information Technology (AIT) and the Magnet High School were recipients of the prestigious “National Blue Ribbon School Award”. This was the second time the Magnet High School earned the award (2004).

–30–

Union County, NJ — The Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program of Union County held its annual Public Presentation Night on April 25, treating the 23 judges and other audience members to a wide range of topics presented by 41 student 4-H club members.

“The 4-H clubs encourage young people to explore their interests while building communication and leadership skills,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank all of the 4-H presenters for making this extra effort to share their knowledge and their interests with the Union County community.”

4-H Public Presentation Night provides students with experience in creating and delivering a public talk. The presenters select their own topics and rehearse with their 4-H club and family members.

Last month’s event took place on the campus of the Union County Vo-Tech Schools. It included 41 presenters in grades 1 through high school. Some of the topics included Mousetrap Powered Cars, Architecture of India, Living in Ireland, Giraffes, Manners and Behavior of a Proper Victorian Lady, CSI/Forensics, Drumming, and Knitting.

4-H is a youth development program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board. Union County 4-H clubs are open to students in grades 1-12 and cover many popular subjects including archery, Lego robotics, pet care, and more.

For more information about Union County 4-H contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu, or visit ucnj.org/rce.

Ireland:  Dylan Kiell of Fanwood, a 6thgrade member of the Union County 4-H STEM Club, presented “Living in Ireland” at the annual Public Presentation Night of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program of Union County last month.

Forensics: Cassandra Hansen of Rahway, a 7th grade member of the Union County 4-H STEM Club, presented “CSI/Forensics” ” at the annual Public Presentation Night of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program of Union County last month.

Knitting: Camille Herbert of Plainfield, an 11th grade member of the Union County 4-H Teen Council, presented “Knitting” at the annual Public Presentation Night of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program of Union County last month.

Drumming: Brian Noonan of Fanwood, a 6th grade member of the Union County 4-H STEM Club, presented “Playing the Drums” at the annual Public Presentation Night of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program of Union County last month.

Photos courtesy of Union County 4-H Youth Development Program.

##

Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – What better way to welcome spring than to come see Alana Van Rensselaer’s botanical artwork at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. The exhibit of 39 original botanical watercolor paintings, sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation, includes perennials and native species found in New Jersey woodlands. Trailside is open daily from noon until 5 p.m. and the botanical artwork will be on display until August 15.

Alana Van Rensselaer developed a love of nature from her mother and a creative passion from her father, Al Hartley, a cartoonist for Archie Comics. Her unique style emanates from her understanding of botany and her appreciation of the translucency of watercolor.

“Growing up in New Jersey with a lake in my backyard and surrounded by undisturbed woods, I discovered the wonderful natural world I try to portray on paper,” Ms. Van Rensselaer said. “We are living in a renaissance of botanical art and I feel very fortunate to have studied with some of the greatest masters of our day. It gives me great pleasure to share my journey in the hope of enriching others.”

Alana studied at the International Studio of Chinese Art in Hong Kong, where she learned the defining art of single stroke brush painting, and she graduated with a certificate in Botanical Art and Illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, the Visual Arts Center of Summit, the Mid Atlantic Society of Botanical Artists, and the Contemporary Center for Art.

Her work has been in exhibitions for the New York Horticultural Society, the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, the Mayo Arts Center, the Great Swamp Watershed Association, the Retrospective Show of the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, the India Fine Arts Society in New Delhi, and is currently in an exhibit at the Arnolfini Museum in Bristol, England.

For information about upcoming programs and events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visitWWW.UCNJ.ORG/TRAILSIDE. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

-end-

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to offer a special presentation about “Spring Warblers” on Saturday, May 17 at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

“This is the perfect time to be outdoors observing the new life that spring brings,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The lecture on Spring Warblers will prepare you to identify these avian visitors.”

Adults, ages 18 and older are welcome to join Audubon naturalist Peter Bacinski for a lecture that will heighten awareness of a species that enhances the New Jersey landscape throughout the spring season. This program is sponsored by the Trailside Museum Association, an organization of volunteers who support the activities of Trailside Nature and Science Center.

“Spring Warblers” will offer participants an opportunity to sharpen their skills at identifying America’s most beautiful songsters in their finest breeding attire. Mr. Bacinski will cover the 35 species of eastern resident and migrant warblers. Images will illustrate diagnostic field marks to help separate members of this difficult group in the field.

Peter Bacinski has been a New Jersey Audubon Society naturalist since 1993 and a Field Trip/Nature Tour leader and lecturer for New Jersey Audubon for many years. He writes a weekly column in The Star-Ledger, “Seen in New Jersey,” and also has been published in Wildbird Magazine, NJ Audubon and Illinois Audubon magazines.

The fee for “Spring Warblers” is $10 for Union County residents and $12 for out-of-county participants. Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.  For information on this or other Adult Programs or for upcoming programs and 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.

-end –

UNION, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for confidential personal documents will be available on Wednesday, May 14, at the Township of Union DPW facility in Union.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Chairman 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 May 14th shredding event will take place at the Department of Public Works facility in Union, located on Swanstrom Place, off Vauxhall Road. NEXCUT Shredding of Elizabeth 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. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. 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 shredded on site. 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 Wednesday, June 4, at the DPW facility in Clark.

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 atwww.ucnj.org/recycle .

– end –