Author: Web Site Administrator

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Trailside Nature & Science Center would like to recognize and honor the young environmental heroes in our community. Small steps can lead to big changes for our planet and young people are taking the initiative and inspiring children and adults alike to help the planet.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce this opportunity for our young residents to be commended for their efforts in protecting the environment.

“We encourage our residents to nominate the young people in their community who have taken action to help the environment so they can be recognized for their efforts,” said Freeholder Daniel Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “These young people deserve to be acknowledged for their leadership in activities such as recycling, litter pick-ups, planting trees and living greener.”

Participants may nominate young individuals or groups who have taken action for environmental change in their community. Nominees must be 18 years of age or younger. Each nomination must include an essay of 250 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.

Nominations for the Environmental Hero Award can be emailed to bnovorro@ucnj.org or delivered to Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092. All entries must be postmarked by April 15.

Winners of the Environmental Hero Award will be acknowledged at Wild Earth Fest on Sunday, May 1, at Trailside.

For additional information on the Environmental Hero Award or other upcoming programs or events, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit online at www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center 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, NJ – In celebration of Arbor Day, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again donating free trees to Union County schools along with a free session on tree care. This year’s selection is the Red Bud, a flowering tree that produces brilliant magenta blossoms in the spring. Many schools use their free trees for Arbor Day educational activities.

“Tree care is an important part of a well rounded environmental education for children in Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “As an urban and suburban region, we need a healthy tree population to help reduce air pollution and dust, absorb excess stormwater, and keep our neighborhoods cooler in hot weather.”

The free Red Bud trees are available, one per school on a first come first served basis, while supplies last. Requests must be submitted by April 1. Schools that are interested in obtaining a tree can contact Barbara Knapp, Union County Bureau of Shade Tree and Conservation, 908-789-3653. Parent volunteers who wish to represent their child’s school should contact their child’s principal.

Each Red Bud is 5-6 feet tall and comes with a free protective cage. For schools that receive a tree, free sessions in tree planting and tree care are also available to students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Steward Program. The tree care sessions will be held at Williams Nursery, 524 Springfield Avenue in Westfield.

In addition to Arbor Day donations, Union County supports local tree planting efforts through the Greening Union County grant program, which provides matching funds for municipal trees. Union County also sponsors an annual Arbor Day poetry contest in support of environmental education and outreach efforts by local school districts.

Union County maintains approximately 15,000 trees alongside county roads, through the Bureau of Shade Tree and Conservation. Under the terms of a Freeholder resolution, when a roadside tree is removed it must be replaced with another. To date, Union County has exceeded this statutory requirement. The Bureau is also responsible for thousands of trees in more than 6,700 acres of county parkland.

“Trees are serious business in Union County,” noted Scanlon. “Aside from being important from an environmental perspective, studies show that trees are a sound investment of public funds. They yield a positive impact on public safety, economic activity, community health, and many other areas.”

The U.S. Forest Service provides free public domain software to calculate the dollar value of trees in an urban community. The latest version, i-Tree v. 4, is user-friendly for individuals, students and community groups as well as professional planners.

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 29.

To find out more about tree care in Union County, or to volunteer to be a Master Tree Steward, contact James Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@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 – All Union County residents are invited to take part in a free online course, designed by Rutgers University experts, that shows how a few modest changes in daily habits can lead to better nutrition and financial improvement. Called the “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge,” the course is based on the Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ program.

The five-week program is free and open to all who enroll online from now until the start date of Sunday, April 10. Participants keep track of their progress through a point system, and a daily bar graph shows how their score compares with the average. Prizes will be awarded for participants who report the highest point totals.

To get more information or to join the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/. Set up a user name and password. Then download a simple user’s guide that describes how to proceed, and enroll in the Challenge titled “Spring 2011 SSHW Challenge.”

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To contact the Union County Extension by phone, call 908-654-9854.

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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

CRANFORD, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Saturday, April 2, at Union County College in Cranford.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents eliminate clutter in their homes and also fight identity theft,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with our other Go Green Initiatives.”

The April 2 shredding event will take place in the back parking lot of the Union County College campus located at 1033 Springfield Ave. in Cranford, opposite Nomahegan Park. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1:00 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 all participants, 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 on Friday, April 15, at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield.

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 .

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce the 2011 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult, are invited to enter their original photographs of wild animals in their natural habitat.

“Wild animals are challenging photographic subjects,” said Freeholder Daniel Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “The Wildlife Photography Contest is a great opportunity to put your skills to the test and attempt to capture 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. The deadline for entries is April 15. Prizes will be awarded in each of three age groups: 6-11, 12-17, and 18 and older.

All photographs will be displayed at the Trailside Visitor Center in Mountainside until May 20. Winners will be announced on Sunday, May 1, during Trailside’s “Wild Earth Fest.” Photographs will be judged by local professional photographers and prizes will be awarded in each age group based on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit.

The winners of the 2010 Wildlife Photography Contest included Mike Augustinyak of Bayonne in the 18 and older category; Trevor Cohen of Scotch Plains in the 12-17 year-old category; and J.T. Bokoske of Kenilworth in the 6-11 year-old category.

To obtain a brochure with the complete list of rules and entry form for the Wildlife Photography Contest, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit online at 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.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Mike Augustinyak of Bayonne was awarded first place in the adult category for his photo, “Honey Bee on Flower,” in the 2010 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is looking for amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult, to take part in the 2011 Wildlife Photography Contest, which will be judged during Trailside’s “Wild Earth Fest” on Sunday, May 1. Professional photographers will judge the entries on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit. Photographers may submit a maximum of two 5” x 7” black & white or color, un-mounted, unframed pictures of wildlife, no later than April 15. Only images of wildlife species native to the United States are eligible. Images of exotic wildlife, pets or domestic animals will not be considered. For an entry form and contest rules call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or go online to 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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CLARK, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that archery safety classes are available for people who would like to learn the basics of archery. The safety lessons will be conducted at the Union County Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

“Archery is a popular recreational activity that has been underserved in our area,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The Freeholder Board is thrilled to have this opportunity to offer beginners ages nine years and older a convenient and affordable lesson that includes archery safety, basic skills, proper equipment use and technique.”

Each archery course is two hours long and consists of a safety training session followed by hands-on instruction at the range. The fee is $20 per person. There will be a minimum of eight and a maximum of 24 participants per class.

Archery equipment is provided by the County of Union. The lessons are taught by a trained and certified USA Archery Instructor and/or a trained and certified 4-H National Archery Instructor.

Twelve new group archery lesson times have been scheduled:

• Sunday, April 17, at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 15, at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22, at 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 25, at 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 5, at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 26, at 10:00 a.m.
• Sunday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, July 13, at 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 27, at 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, August 10, at 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 11, at 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 25, at 2:00 p.m.

After successful completion of the lesson and a safety questionnaire, participants are qualified to purchase a Union County Archery Range ID card that permits them to use Union County’s Archery Range through December 31, 2011. The archery range is open daily, dawn to dusk.

Anyone who has already completed an accredited archery safety course can call 908-527-4900 for information about purchasing a Union County Archery Range ID Card.

The fee for the ID card is $20 for adult Union County residents and $10 for youths and seniors. The Union County fee also applies to residents of Edison. The ID card fee for all other out-of-county residents is $30 for adults and $15 for youths and seniors.

Archery safety class space is limited, so reservations are required. Anyone interested in learning the safe use of a bow and arrow should call the reservation desk at the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900. Registration for an archery safety class is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Private family and small group lessons for eight or fewer people also are available. Please call 908-654-9854 to schedule a private small group lesson.

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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 – Union County’s Runnells Specialized Hospital will be the beneficiary of the 2011 Casino Night fundraiser, sponsored by the Runnells Specialized Hospital Foundation. The popular annual event features a floor full of genuine casino games staffed by professional croupiers along with a tricky tray auction and prizes including a trip to Las Vegas and a flat panel plasma screen TV. Proceeds support the Foundation’s mission of adding extra touches of warmth and comfort to the Runnells facility, making a significant contribution to the wellness and recovery of patients and residents.

Casino Night will be held at Mt. Carmel Hall, 56 River Road, in Berkeley Heights on Friday, March 18, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person with a discounted price of $25 for seniors.

“The Freeholder Board is very proud to support Runnells Specialized Hospital, which is a premier health care facility and an invaluable public asset,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The funds raised by Casino Night help ensure that our patients and residents enjoy a more comfortable, personal atmosphere than the typical health care facility can provide.”

Sponsorship opportunities for Casino Night are still available. Each sponsor is recognized with a sign promoting their organization or business. Individuals are also welcome to become sponsors.

To purchase tickets or to get more information about becoming a Casino Night sponsor, call 908-771-5803.

Tickets for Casino Night include $100 in “gaming money” along with free hors d’oeuvres, dessert and coffee. A cash bar is available, and additional gaming money may be purchased. The evening’s finale is a tricky tray auction, and attendees then use their winnings to purchase chances at their favorite prizes.

“Casino Night is a fun way to help support the RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital Foundation,” said Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, RUNNELLS liaison. “This organization is part of the thriving volunteer network that makes Runnells such a special resource for Union County residents.”

The Foundation’s recent projects include plans for refurbishing the facility’s nursing care courtyard to include new trees, pavers and other landscaping. The plans also include a permanent shade canopy over the center area, to make the courtyard more attractive and usable for residents, patients and visitors.  Other projects include redecorating the lobby, and providing personal computers and televisions for residents and patients.

For Casino Night tickets and sponsorship information, call 908-771-5803.

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For 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

The Activity Professionals of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County were recognized for their outstanding services as part of National Activity Professional’s Week, January 16th-21st by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital has 300 skilled nursing beds and 44 adult behavioral health beds. The Activity’s staff works hard to enhance the quality of life of the residents and patients through creative programs. These programs are designed to promote multiple purposes daily including socialization, physical activity, self-esteem as well as independence and intellectual functioning.

“Activities run by these professionals help individuals maintain a healthier, more active mental outlook,” noted Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh. “They oversee events and programs from picnics to the Annual Prom. As part of the observance of National Activity Professional’s Week, the Activities Therapy staff ran a very special event, Bingo Bonanza for residents, patients, employees and visitors. RUNNELLS in-house TV system enabled the event to be enjoyed facility-wide. The freeholders were proud to declare January 16th-21st National Activity Professionals’ Week in Union County, recognizing our exceptional staff.”

Anyone who would like more information about the programs and services offered at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital should call 908-771-5901.

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In Photo: During National Activity Professionals’ Week, the RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital’s Activities Therapy staff posed in front of the board for their facility-wide “fun-raiser” Bingo Bonanza to receive a resolution from the Union County Freeholders. The resolution was presented by Acting Administrator, Joan I. Wheeler, MSN, RN, LNHA, (seated, right). Wheeler and Patricia Scott, AD, BA, CRS (Certified Recreation Supervisor), Director of Activities Therapy and Volunteer Services, Union (seated, left) displayed the resolution. Staff includes (standing L-R) Keri Burns-Woessner, BA, Recreation Therapist, New Providence; Daniela DeFronzo, BA, MT-BC (Music Therapist, Board-Certified), Springfield; Bridgette Jordan, Recreation Therapy Aide, Scotch Plains; Kara Nistorenko, Recreation Therapist, Watchung; Julie O’Connell, Principle Clerk/Typist, North Plainfield; Alice Jackson, Recreation Therapy Aide, Plainfield; Carla, MA, MT-BC, Music Therapist; Albert Hendricks, Recreation Therapy Aide, Plainfield and Zalak, BS, Recreation Therapist.

Not in photo: Jaimee Hawkins, MS, Assistant Director of Activities Therapy; Vincenzia Beaty, Senior Recreation Therapist, Cliffwood; Susan, MA, ATR, Recreation Therapist; Ana Gonzalez, Recreation Therapy Aide, Elizabeth; Jamie B. Granato, BA, Recreation Therapy Aide, Scotch Plains; Carol Michalowski, Recreation Therapy Aide; Gina Greeson, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Raritan and Salomi Massaras, M.Ed., MT-BC, Music Therapist, Rockaway.

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Union County, NJ – Members of the Union County 4-H Third Grade Variety Club collected pet food for homeless pets and presented their donations to the Best Friends Thrift Shop last week. The store, located at 1750 East Second Street in Scotch Plains, helps support the Best Friends pet rescue and adoption organization, www.bestfriend.petfinder.org.  Pictured (front, l-r) are 4-H club members Pauline Tardif, Griffin Cederquist of Rahway, Nathan Lam of Westfield, Mikaeli Gomez of Plainfield, Talia Remba of Westfield, and club leader Martha Garcia of Union, with Best Friends volunteer Lorraine Jakubowski of Clark (rear). Union County 4-H is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To join a Union County 4-H club contact 4-H agent James Nichnadowicz by phone, 908-654-9854 or email jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

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4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades k-13, on an age appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, or disability. For additional information about 4-H clubs in Union County, contact 908-654-9854, or jnichnadowicz@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

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Department of Parks and Community Renewal is pleased to announce the availability of an exercise program at Runnells Specialized Hospital in Berkeley Heights for people who have had strokes or those who have other physical limitations.

“These special classes, which are instructed by a recreation therapist, a music therapist, and recreation therapy aides, address general fitness needs,” said Freeholder Angel G. Estrada, liaison to the Union County Advisory Board on the Disabled. “This non-stressful exercise program focuses on strength and range of motion, body awareness, overall health and exercises that can be performed in a participant’s home.”

Classes are accessible to those in wheelchairs and the program contains activities that can be adapted to everyone. The schedule of classes is every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. from April 5 through November 10.

Pre-registration is required by April 1, along with a current doctor’s release. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $20 per person for the modified exercise program.

Runnells Specialized Hospital is located at 40 Watchung Way in Berkeley Heights, and it is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For further information, please contact the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, Programs for the Disabled, at (908) 527-4806 or email: mheisey@ucnj.org