Author: Web Site Administrator

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to sponsor an exhibition of paintings by students who take classes at the Rahway Senior Center. The art work is on exhibit through October 3rd in the Freeholders Gallery, located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue, in historic midtown Elizabeth. The Gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

“Come and enjoy the creative products of these talented artists,” said Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “They work in oil, watercolor and mixed media under the tutelage of art instructor Laura Brown.”

Among the student-artists whose work is on exhibit are Karen Argentiere-Buffa, Molly Brown, Rosemarie Campbell, Sherley Cherubino, Mary Alice Erickson, Roberta Frimpter, Madeline Granieri, Katina Massas, Dawn McDonald, Ida Mele, Arline Mini, Joan Pender, Mary Peter, and Ann Quigley.

The Rahway Senior Center is located at 1306 Esterbrook Avenue, where art classes are conducted regularly. For further information about the Rahway Senior Center and its activities, please call Ellen Staunton at 732-827-2016.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs coordinates exhibitions held in the Freeholders Gallery, curated by Teya David of the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. For further information about exhibits, programs and services related to the arts and Union County history, contact the Office at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, telephone (908) 558-2550; NJ Relay 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

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Art Students from Rahway Senior Center Exhibit Their Work at Freeholders Gallery

ELIZABETH, NJ – Paintings by art students from the Rahway Senior Center are now on exhibit at the Freeholders Gallery, located in the Union County Administration Building on Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The exhibit is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 3. Pictured are art instructor Laura Brown (standing) teaching artist-students (left to right) Molly Brown, Katina Massas and Ann Quigley. For more information about the Rahway Senior Center and its activities, please call Ellen Staunton at 732-827-2016.

Residents, small businesses impacted by Hurricane Irene are now eligible for Federal assistance

UNION COUNTY, NJ—Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon today announced the federal government has approved Union County’s request for disaster assistance for its residents’ impacted by Hurricane Irene. Individual and public assistance was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Union County residents and small businesses in all municipalities are now eligible to apply for different types of federal assistance, including temporary housing, repair, replacement or other needs such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.

“Residents and small businesses are now eligible for much-needed assistance from FEMA,” Scanlon said. “This is a crucial step in assisting our homeowners and businesses in the recovery from the Hurricane.”

Union County has submitted damage assessments to the state as required, totaling over $200 million. On Friday, representatives from FEMA and NJ OEM completed both the Public Assessment (PA) and Individual Assessment (IA) of the devestating damages throughout the County as a result of Hurricane Irene.

Public assistance eligibility allows eligible local governments, and certain nonprofit organizations to apply for federal funding on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene.

Survivors of Hurricane Irene in Union County who suffered damage should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency – even if they have insurance or aren’t sure they are eligible.

Register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Specialists are standing by at the toll-free numbers seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Help in other languages is available. Or you can register online atwww.DisasterAssistance.gov.You can also apply through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov and following the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

Union County, NJ – Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) met with Union County officials today and got a first-hand look at parts of Union County that suffered severe damage from Hurricane Irene. County and FEMA representatives were joined by representatives from the State’s Office of Emergency Management and Department of Transportation.

Union County was not included in the initial list of New Jersey counties that were declared eligible for FEMA disaster relief earlier this week. The information gathering process required by FEMA is still ongoing for other counties including Union County, and Union County continues to work closely with FEMA, local and state officials, and elected representatives, to ensure that the process goes forward as quickly as possible.

“After having FEMA representatives on the ground in Union County, I am hopeful that Union County will receive a declaration from FEMA within the coming days,” stated Union County Manager Alfred Faella. “The process is moving forward.”

For the latest updates, Union County residents can visit the FEMA website, www.fema.gov. Union County residents can also register information regarding their storm damage with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362.

Union County residents who wish to receive automatic notification of FEMA disaster declaration announcements can register online to join Union County’s emergency notification and alert system, Union County First Alert, by visiting www.ucfirstalert.org.

More hurricane related updates are available on the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

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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.

Tina Casey
Deputy Director
Union County Office of Public Information
908-527-4346
tcasey@ucnj.org

2,000+ Units of Blood Lost From Shutdowns and Power Outages

Supplies of Several Blood Types Below Minimum Levels

 

August 29, 2011 – New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center (NYBC), which serves more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey, is following the emergency declarations of Governor Christie and other tri-state public officials with an emergency appeal for blood donors.  The supply of several blood types, including O-negative (“universal donor”) blood, which is normally maintained at the three-to-five-day inventory level, has dropped below the two-day minimum level.

“We anticipated the potential effects of Irene, and delivered extra blood in advance to our 200 partner hospitals,” said NYBC Vice President Rob Purvis. “Our first priority remains getting them whatever they need for the care of trauma and cancer patients.”   Due to concerns for the safety of its donors and staff, NYBC closed its donor centers and cancelled all blood drives on Sunday, August 28. “With Labor Day right around the corner, we’re between a rock and a hard place,” Purvis added.  “We need the help of our communities to replenish the blood supply.”

The need for blood is constant, whatever the weather or holiday.  The shelf life of platelets is only five days; the shelf life of red blood cells is 42 days.  About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood.

“We faced a similar situation after the Christmas Blizzard and January’s constant snowstorms, when cancellations meant the loss of 8,000 units of blood.” Purvis said.  “Our neighbors came through for hospital patients then, and replenished the blood supply.  We need them to step up again, and schedule an appointment to donate life-saving blood.”

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive,
Please call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566
Visit: www.nybloodcenter.org

If you cannot donate but still wish to participate in bringing crucial blood products to patients in need, please ask someone to donate for you, or consider volunteering at a local blood drive.

Any company, community organization, place of worship, or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during summer and winter months. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site including information about their temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 (with parental permission or consent), who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and NY or NJ State Department of Health donor criteria. People over 75 may donate with a doctor’s note.

About New York Blood Center: New York Blood Center (NYBC) is one of the nation’s largest non-profit, community-based blood centers. NYBC has been providing blood, transfusion products and services to hospitals serving more than 20 million people in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut and Pennsylvania. NYBC is also home to the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute and the National Cord Blood Program at the Howard P. Milstein National Cord Blood Center, the world’s largest public cord blood bank. NYBC provides medical services and programs (Clinical, Transfusion, and Hemophilia Services) through our medical professionals along with consultative services in transfusion medicine. Please visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/newyorkbloodcenter. Follow us on Twitter: @NY_BloodCenter.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders advised homeowners to be watchful for insurance scams, price gouging, questionable charity solicitations, and other consumer issues related to disaster cleanup and recovery.

Residents with questions about a business, service or charity in Union County can call the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs at 908-654-9840 for guidance, or file a complaint online at the County website,https://ucnj.org/government/public-safety/consumer-affairs/consumer-complaint-form/.

Excessive or predatory pricing for gas, home repairs and other essential products and services is illegal during and after a declared state of emergency.

According to a bulletin from the New Jersey State Department of Banking and Insurance, insurance companies should not apply a hurricane deductible to claims related to Hurricane Irene in New Jersey. This only applies when hurricane force winds reach 74 miles per hour or greater, and the National Weather Service did not report winds meeting these criteria in the state.

Additional hurricane related updates are available at www.ucnj.org.

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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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee is collecting historic artifacts for a commemorative exhibit they plan to display next year at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The committee met last month to examine documents from the Civil War era. Pictured are: (seated) Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi, committee chairman, and Harold Scheidegger; (standing, left to right) Charles Shallcross, Richard Thompson, and David Walker. Anyone wishing to loan Civil War artifacts for the exhibit can contact committee member Katherine Craig at 908-282-7617. For further information about the Union County Civil War Committee, please call Ms. Rajoppi’s office, 908-527-4787. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union).

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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 released the following statement regarding the exclusion of Union County from the list of New Jersey counties announced yesterday as eligible for FEMA relief for individuals:

“Union County was not included in the initial list of New Jersey counties that are eligible for individual FEMA relief for damages suffered as a result of Hurricane Irene. FEMA assessments are still ongoing and other counties may be added as more information is gathered.”

“Union County has submitted damage assessments to the state as required, totaling over $200 million. We are contacting our legislators and we will work diligently with FEMA, local and state officials to help our residents obtain the federal assistance merited by this area-wide disaster, which has caused enormous damage in Cranford, Rahway and other parts of Union County.”

In yesterday’s disaster declaration, Union County was not listed as eligible for relief for individuals or public facilities. According to FEMA, although Union County has not been declared eligible for individual relief at this time, individuals may still register their information with FEMA by phone at 1-800-621-3362.

Union County residents can stay up to date by signing up on line for Union County’s emergency notification system, Union County First Alert, at http://www.ucfirstalert.org.

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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.

WESTFIELD, NJ – The Union County Clerk’s office in Westfield is hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, September 17, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to provide passport information to U.S. citizens and to accept passport applications. As a special incentive, the Clerk’s office will offer free passport photos to each citizen who applies for a passport at the Westfield office that day.

“Now is the time to make sure your passport is up-to-date,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “My office in Westfield will be open longer than usual on Sept. 17 to help those who are planning trips outside our borders in the fall and winter months.”

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands or Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present either a passport card or a passport book.

In addition to the free passport photos for applicants at the Westfield office on Sept. 17, special give-away packets will be available to provide travel tips and assistance for passport applicants.

“Some countries require passports to be valid for an additional three, six or nine months after your visit,” Rajoppi added. “If your passport is due to expire within nine months of your international travel, you should renew your passport to ensure a smoother journey.”

Information about the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or passport card is available athttp://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

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.

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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 – Floodwaters from Hurricane Irene have receded in Union County but several areas remain under severe conditions, and pockets may still be left in others. To help prevent injuries or illnesses related to floodwaters, County officials advised residents to continue to exercise caution, and to take steps to prevent waterborne diseases.

“Many residents are continuing to suffer the effects of this disaster, but even a small amount of standing water can cause significant problems,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “We are asking all residents to take a few steps to protect themselves.”

A receding flood is still dangerous due to unpredictable currents and ground conditions.

Waterborne diseases are a major concern, since even a small puddle of contaminated water can spread infection. Residents are reminded to wash hands frequently when cleaning up after a flood. Open wounds should be carefully covered with a waterproof bandage.

Children’s toys, including outdoor toys, should be disinfected before use, and they should avoid playing in yards or other areas where floodwater is still standing.

Swimming pools that may have received floodwater should be drained, disinfected and tested before use.

Chemical hazards can result when cleaning supplies and other household chemicals are moved by floodwaters, so caution should be exercised when handling these containers. The next Union County household special waste recycling event is scheduled for October 29. For more information on Union County recycling services, visit www.ucnj.org/recycle.

Mosquito season is still in effect, and they can breed in very small amounts of water – even a bottle cap. Residents are asked to inspect their yards and remove any items that may be collecting water.

Springfield and Summit were still under a boil water advisory from New Jersey American Water as of 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 31. The latest updates can be obtained by following the red “notifications” link at the top of the company’s website, www.newjerseyamwater.com.

New Jersey American Water also still had Union County under a discolored water alert as of 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 31.

Additional cleanup guidance is available from the Centers for Disease Control, www.emergency.cdc.gov, including guidance on disinfecting with bleach.

For additional updates visit the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

 

 

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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 – A Harvest Contest with prizes, children’s activities and much more are in store for home gardening enthusiasts at this year’s Union County Fair featuring MusicFest. Experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County will host gardening, community health and children’s exhibits and activities throughout the fair, which runs from Wednesday, September 14 to Sunday, September 18 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Free MusicFest concerts take place on all five days of the fair.

“The Union County Fair is the perfect place to enjoy great free music, show off your gardening and baking skills, and pick up some useful tips from Extension experts on health and wellness,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The Harvest Contest will award prizes for the biggest tomato and zucchini by weight, the oddest looking vegetable, the best character made from vegetables, and the best quick bread (muffin, biscuit or loaf).

Entries may be dropped off starting on Thursday, September 15. Full details on the Harvest Contest and all Extension activities are available at www.ucmusicfest.org.

Also starting on Thursday, the Extension will host free activities for children including a fun-and-games learning session about trees, a “Build Your Own Spinning Top” science workshop, and leaf-rubbing arts and crafts.

County Fair visitors can also enter a free raffle to win a rain barrel, valued at approximately $100.

Other activities include home-made smoothie demonstrations and cooking demonstrations based on local New Jersey produce and on the new federal ChooseMyPlate.gov nutrition guidelines.

Senior citizens who are eligible to receive Farmer’s Market vouchers can also pick up vouchers at the Extension tent, by bringing a Medicaid card or other proof of income.

Carnival rides, food and craft vendors, displays by local businesses, Kid’s Kingdom children’s activities and crafts, and a “Green Village” for environmental education and art round out the Union County Fair attractions, along with free shows by the Hell on Wheels BMX daredevils.

Highlights of MusicFest this year include Live’s Ed Kowalczyk and Collective Soul performing on Friday night, Blondie, Mike Peters of The Alarm and Neon Trees on Saturday, and The Smithereens and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on Sunday.

Also in the lineup are cult favorites Toad the Wet Sprocket, New Jersey’s own Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea, Paul Rodgers (voice of the legendary rock band Bad Company), and rising young local musicians from the School of Rock.

For all County Fair and MusicFest details including instructions for entering the Harvest Contest, visittheucfair.org, ucmusicfest.org, or facebook.com/musicfest, or follow ucnjmusicfest on Twitter.

Photo caption (photo attached): Young fairgoers enjoy a nature activity with Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension at last year’s Union County Fair at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. This year the Extension returns with more activities, contests and exhibits for all ages.

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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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.