Author: Web Site Administrator

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ—The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders would like to invite members of the community to honor the memory of the 60 Union County residents who perished in the 9/11 attacks by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial this Sept. 11 from 6-9 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

During this time members of the Honor Guard will be on site presenting the national colors and the public will be able to light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks.

“Union County’s September 11th Memorial serves as a place to remember our residents who made the ultimate sacrifice that day, and a location that allows for peace and reflection that gives us strength to continue to move forward,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The Union County memorial honors those lost in the attacks using design elements that include two girders from the World Trade Center arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame representing those who died in Pennsylvania. The Flame also honors members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003 the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost.

The Freeholder Board worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield in planning and building the Memorial.

It is located near the Springfield Avenue entrance of Echo Lake Park on the border of Mountainside and Springfield.

For additional information on the Union County September 11th Memorial, or information on visitation hours, contact the Union County Office of Public Information at 877-424-1234 or visit online at ucnj.org/9-11-memorial

CRANFORD, NJ – The County of Union will sponsor a recycling event for electronic equipment on Saturday, September 21, so Union County residents can get rid of unwanted computers, televisions and other electronic equipment in an environmentally proper manner. The special E-cycling event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Union County College campus located at 1033 Springfield Avenue in Cranford.

All residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. There is a limit of six electronic items per car.

“Computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic devices are the source of a considerable amount of dangerous material, including lead, mercury, cadmium and PCBs – and it is unlawful to dispose of them with the regular garbage,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Up to 95 percent of most electronic appliances can be recycled. This is a responsible way to keep hazardous heavy metals out of our environment.”

Electronic equipment that will be accepted on Sept. 21 includes computer monitors, hard drives, modems, keyboards, CPU’s, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, televisions, tablets and e-readers, VCR’s, fax machines, telephones, circuit boards, CD’s, DVD’s and video cassettes.

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their unwanted electronic equipment. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

Refrigerators, washers and dryers, microwaves, and air conditioners will not be accepted, but they are accepted at Union County’s Scrap Metal Recycling Program.

 

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on Sept. 21 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning website: www.ucnj.org/recycle.

The electronics collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required.

In addition to the special Sept. 21 recycling event sponsored by the County of Union, there are local businesses as well as 16 municipalities that provide E-cycling opportunities for residents. Visit the websitewww.ucnj.org/recycle or call your municipal recycling coordinator for more computer and electronics recycling options.

Goodwill and Dell have teamed up to recycle computers. Goodwill in Union County is located at 126 Route 22 West, Springfield 07081, next to Macy’s Furniture. Call Goodwill at 973-912-0156 for more details or visit their web site: www.reconnectpartnership.com.

Best Buy stores now offer electronics recycling, including TVs, computer monitors, DVD players and other consumer electronics. Visit their website (www.bestbuy.com/) for store locations, or call toll-free for information about electronics recycling: 1-888-237-8289.

Staples also offers a computer recycling program seven days a week. For more information, visit the Staples web site for store locations: www.staples.com.

Waste Management accepts “covered electronics” (televisions, monitors, computers, etc.) at  629-647 Amboy Ave., Elizabeth 07201, Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 908-629-9270.

An alternative drop-off program for recycling electronics equipment is available Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Newtech Recycling, located at 600-A Apgar Drive, Somerset NJ 08873; 732-564-3110. Visit www.newtechrecycling.com .

For more information about recycling events, please call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908- 654-9889.

 

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Union County, NJ – As the fall recreation season gets under way in Union County parks, the Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds visitors that they can help pitch in to help preserve important natural habitats.

“In this densely developed region, the Union County park system is barely short of a miracle,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Generations of Union County residents have worked to build and preserve this unique natural resource and now it’s up to us to do our part, too.”

The Union County park system was established in the 1920’s with 2,000 acres in donated land. Along with ample space for organized sports and other activities, the original parks were designed to preserve key natural habitats along the County’s many waterways.

The twin goals of public recreation and habitat conservation have continued into the present.

Today, the Union County park system totals 36 distinct parks that span more than 6,700 acres. The parks are home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, and they play an important role in bird migration across the American continents as part of the Atlantic Flyway migratory route.

Each year, hundreds of Union County residents and visitors volunteer in the park system on habitat improvement projects, including groups hosted by the Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations as well as local schools and businesses.

A number of County ordinances are designed to help conserve habitat in the park system. Among the most important areas of concern are:

Staying on marked trails helps to prevent soil erosion, in addition to preserving the forest understory.

Disposing of trash in the cans provided helps to prevent windblown litter. Cans are emptied regularly but in the event they are full, trash should be carried out rather than left in the open.

Picking up after dogs helps to reduce the potential for dog waste to leach into waterways, a known threat to water quality.

Keeping dogs on a leash helps to prevent damage to sensitive habitats, especially around shorelines, while reducing incidents of injury or death to wildlife.

Refraining from feeding Canada geese is similarly important, as an overpopulation of these large waterfowl can quickly overwhelm other species and harm water quality.

 

To find out more about the Union County park system visit ucnj.org/parks.

 

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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.

Union County –Building on the success of the first ever Union County Women Mean Business Summit, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the addition of a second women’s event titled Wine, Women and Wealth. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill in Kenilworth.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to be sponsoring, in conjunction with Union Center Bank, an event of such high relevance for the women of Union County,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Women have unique financial needs and as a result learning good financial planning is a risk management strategy for the future.”

Where the Union County Women Mean Business Summit focused on women in the business world, the Wine, Women and Wealth program is geared towards teaching women the principles of personal financial success with seminars like “The 7 Deadly Mistakes of Social Security,” and “#SNSL: Save Now, Succeed Later.”

Geared towards teaching women to the benefits of financial planning at an earlier in life, “#SNSL: Save Now, Succeed Later” focuses on topics like:

• Understanding financial objectives and risk tolerance
• Setting long term financial goals
• Developing a financial plan
• Measuring asset allocation strategies
• Interest rate lows and alternative opportunities

While “The 7 Deadly Mistakes of Social Security” will focus on areas of interest to older audiences like:

• Understanding the Value of Social Security
• The Solvency of Social Security
• When to Begin Taking Benefits
• Working and Receiving Benefits
• Maximizing Benefits
• Spousal Benefits
• Survivor Benefits
• The Taxation of Social Security

Participants will be able to choose their preferred wealth seminar and also enjoy a wine lesson and tasting as well as a networking cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

To register, visit https://ucnj.org/ucmb, or contact the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200. There is a $25 registration fee, and pre-registration is required.

 

The Wine, Women and Wealth seminar is being co-sponsored by Union Center Bank and is part of the Union County Women Mean Business, and the Union County Means Business Networking Series’. Programs are sponsored by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with the Union County Alliance, Union County Economic Development Corp., Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chambers of Commerce, Union Township Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, and Union County College.

The wine tasting portion of the Wine, Women and Wealth program is being sponsored by Gallo Wines and Mionetto Wines.

For additional information on the Women’s Summit or the Union County Means Business Series, please visitwww.ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness.

Union County – In continuation with the Union County Choices Program, the next series of information sessions on free job training will be offered next Tuesday, September 10th from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and Thursday, September 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Union County College’s Elizabeth Campus, located at 40 West Jersey St.

This round of sessions will focus on the Retail Operations course, a program that will prepare participants to master the areas of skill and knowledge needed to be successful in a frontline retail position.

The five part course offers content in the areas of Customer Service, Selling and Service, Store Operations, and Getting the Job, and will teach participants about the following essential concepts as they pertain to the retail industry:

• The economics of retail
• The importance of training
• Reviewing and understanding sales goals
• The importance and function of loss prevention, inventory control and merchandising

Upon completion, participants will be prepared to sit for the Customer Service and Sales Certification tests.

The Union County Choices program, which is one of Freeholder Linda Carter’s initiatives as Chairman of the Board, is geared towards providing a range of skills and sector training to eligible job seekers in Union County’s priority economic development sectors. Through its partnership with Union County College, the program recently began its first round of training in the Healthcare sector in July, and will be starting its Global Logistics Associate Certification program this month.

 

The Retail Operations information session is free of charge to attend, and walk-ins are welcome although pre-registration is preferred. To register, or for more information on the Union County Choices program, please contact Gina Tuesta at gtuesta@ucnj.org; for registration purposes, please include your name, contact information and email address.

In addition to attending the information session, to be considered for the Union County Choices program candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, take the TABE test and score at 8th grade level or above, be WIA eligible and complete a criminal background check prior to the start of the training program.

 

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Enjoy a sing-along as marshmallows are toasted by the fire

 

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Tickets are on sale for autumn hay rides and fun around the campfire at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, these fun-filled autumn activities include hay rides, folk songs around a campfire, hot chocolate and marshmallows toasted over the fire.

Hay ride tickets are available at three locations: every day from noon to 5 p.m. at Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, in Mountainside; weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Union County Administration Building, Department of Parks & Community Renewal, 2nd Floor, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza at Rahway Avenue in Elizabeth; or at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday; and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.

No tickets will be sold at the hay rides. Tickets for these popular outings must be purchased in advance – so don’t wait until it’s too late! Seating for the hay rides is limited. The cost is $6 for Union County residents and $12 for out-of-county participants. Rides begin at 6:30 p.m. on the Friday evenings of Sept. 20; Oct. 4, 11, 18; and at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

For further information, call Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670; or the Union County Department of Parks & Community Renewal at 908-527-4900; or visit the Union County website atwww.ucnj.org.

 

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ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that 49 artists, historians and local non-profit organizations will receive funding through the 2013 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant Program.

Recognizing the importance of culture and the arts to our economy and quality of life, the Union County Freeholders established the HEART Grant Program in 1998. This innovative program supports projects related to history, the arts and humanities, and it demonstrates a commitment to the artists and community organizations of Union County. Total funding for this year’s grants is $75,000.

“The recipients of HEART Grants are a wonderful mix of creative individuals – composers and writers, historians, visual artists, musicians and dancers – plus arts, history and other cultural organizations and civic groups,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “The response to the program has been exciting ever since its inception.”

“The services provided by these artists, scholars and organizations directly benefit the residents of our county and increase appreciation for the arts, our history, and the humanities,” Freeholder Carter added. “These cultural assets are a vital part of community life, well being, economic development and cultural heritage tourism in Union County.”

Artists, educators, civic and historical non-profit organizations that want information about next year’s HEART Grant Program can 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

 

 

Union County HEART Grants Awarded 2013 (Total $75,000)

 

• Brian Beste, Fanwood, $750, presenting art-creating and history workshops;
• Candace Waller, Fanwood, $700, presenting dance programs and workshops;
• Danielle Linares Hale, Fanwood, $750, presenting a community arts festival;
• Kenneth Sack, Summit, $600, presenting “Write and Perform a Song” workshops at Winfield School;
• Lesl Harker, New Providence, $750,  presenting a traditional Irish music concert;
• Raymond W. Blanks, Rahway, $600,  providing photography classes for Rahway youth;
• Valerie Graham, Roselle, $700,  presenting free crafts workshops for children & seniors;
• Arts Guild New Jersey, Rahway, $1,800, presenting Pre-K arts education in Rahway schools;
• Borough of Fanwood, $1,875, presenting a Fanwood Cultural Arts Performance Series;
• Borough of New Providence Community Activities, $1,000, presenting “Words” community poetry collage project;
• Borough of Roselle Park, Casano Community Center, $750, presenting free concert “Rhythms of the World;”
• Brand New Day, Elizabeth, $2,000, presenting traditional Caribbean music and dance workshops;
• Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, Union, $1,600, presenting a performance with UCAPA at the Vo-Tech black box theater;
• CASA of Union County, Elizabeth, $2,000, presenting arts workshops for child advocates;
• Center for Hope Hospice & Palliative Care, Scotch Plains, $1,875, providing musical performances for hospice residents;
• Christ Fellowship, Elizabeth, $750, presenting Puerto Rican Folklore Festival;
• Clark Historical Society, Clark, $1,500, presenting early American life demonstrators at Four Centuries in a Weekend;

• Cranford Housing Board, Cranford, $1,000, presenting “Three Tenors” concert for senior housing residents;
• duCret School of Art, Plainfield, $750, presenting a performing arts program for children grades K-12;
• Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, Summit, $1,500, producing 2 improv comedy shows;
• Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, Elizabeth, $1,875, presenting dance and music cultural events during Hispanic Heritage Month;
• First Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth, $1,000, providing an audio tour of “Elizabeth at the Crossroads;”
• Groundwork Elizabeth, Inc., $1,600, presenting 11th annual bicycle Tour de Elizabeth;
• Hillside Public Library, $1,875, presenting free arts and cultural workshops for children;
• Hillside Victory Community Garden Club, $1,950, presenting Harvest Fest 2013;
• Institute of Music for Children, Elizabeth, $2,250, presenting Friday Teen Arts Nights;
• Josephine’s Place, Elizabeth, $2,500, presenting poetry and music recording workshops for immigrant women;
• Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, $1,125, presenting educational exhibits;
• Language & Enrichment Center Inc., Scotch Plains, $1,000, presenting performances by preschool children of Italian winter songs;
• Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, $1,000, producing a musical involving Union County children;
• Music for All Seasons, Scotch Plains, $2,300, presenting music programs for Union County Juvenile Detention Center;
• National Council of Jewish Women, U.C. Section, Elizabeth, $1,875, providing two intergenerational programs: a big band swing dance and a staged play reading;
• New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, Berkeley Heights, $1,875, presenting a community concert;
• Occupational Center of Union County, Roselle, $2,000, presenting art education classes for people with disabilities;
• Old First Historic Trust, Elizabeth, $1,875, hiring historian to research African American burial grounds;
• Plainfield Community Outreach, Inc, $1,875, presenting after-school theater program for Cedarbrook K-8;
• Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation, $1,700, presenting a historical Kwanza celebration with speakers, music and dance;
• Premiere Stages at Kean University, Union, $1,875, presenting free public play readings;
• Rahway Community Action Organization, $1,875, presenting African American history programs to high school students;
• Raritan Valley Chapter the Links, Plainfield, $1,500, presenting a free concert;
• Restore Ministries, Inc., Elizabeth, $2,250, providing “Union County Arts Tour” for youth literary and arts study;
• Temple Beth O’r/Beth Torah, Clark, $1,000, presenting free concert by Zalmen Mlotek;
• The Theater Project, Union, $2,000, presenting “A Few Steps in a Stranger’s Shoes” to promote understanding among students;
• Union Township Community Action Organization, Inc., $1,700, presenting Senior Choral performances in nursing homes;
• United Youth of NJ, Elizabeth, $2,000, presenting a play about Frederick Douglas;
• Visual Arts Center of NJ, Summit, $2,000, presenting a visual arts program for adults;
• Westfield Symphony Orchestra, $1,500, presenting concert “Home for the Holidays;”
• Women in Conversation, Plainfield, $2,500, presenting reading groups for students and seniors;
• YM-YWHA of Union County, Union, $1,875, presenting a “Celebration of Jewish Music” performance series.

On Thursday evening, October 24, Homefirst will hostAn Evening of Thanks, the first annual Union County Family Service Awards at The Galloping Hill Golf Club in Kenilworth. The event will recognize and honor individuals from different communities in Union County who serve families in need in extraordinary ways in their civic and private lives.  NJ State Assemblyman Jon Bramnick will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella is the Honorary Event Chair, joined by an Event Committee of 20 community volunteers.

The goals of The 2013 Union County Family Service Awards program are: (1) to raise awareness about families in need; (2) to celebrate local citizens who volunteer their time to help their neighbors; (3) to encourage other individuals to make a commitment to serve families in need; and (4) to support the many free programs made available to low income families in Union County by Homefirst.

An Evening of Thanks is sponsored by a diverse group of businesses and community leaders.  Lead Sponsors include Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Bramnick, Rodriguez, Mitterhoff, Grabas & Woodruff, LLC, Attorneys at Law, and Ellen Catlin of Garwood.  Sponsors include The Alternative Press, Steven and Marybeth Lapham of Scotch Plains and Casey and Priscilla Woodruff of Westfield.

The evening will start at 6:00PM with a wine & hors d’oeuvres reception, featuring music from At Ease, a Westfield High School jazz group and the Florian Schantz Jazz Combo of Westfield, followed by the awards ceremony and dinner at 7:30PM.  The event will include a live auction as well as entertainment provided by the Celebration Singers, a community choral group based in Cranford. Ellen McGovern, Executive Director, will speak on behalf of Homefirst and will present a film about the agency’s services and their impact on families and children in need.  The evening is scheduled to conclude by 10:00PM.

Established in 1986 in Plainfield, Homefirst delivers comprehensive solutions to homelessness by providing transitional and permanent housing, homeless prevention assistance and family support services.  Working with a diverse coalition of partners, including community groups, religious congregations, foundations, businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and volunteers, Homefirst is a leader in Central New Jersey in assisting families experiencing homelessness and in preventing homelessness.  Homefirst uses innovative national models to give families the tools and the resources they need to overcome adversity and develop self-sufficiency.  The agency builds strong communities – one family at a time.

An Evening of Thanks: The 2013 Union County Family Service Awards promises to be a memorable and enjoyable event.  Press representatives are asked to please contact Ellen McGovern, Executive Director at Homefirst, at ellen@homefirstinc.org or at 908-753-4001 x13 for further details or to RSVP for the event.

 

Event Information

 

Overview

On Thursday evening, October 24, Homefirst will host An Evening of Thanks: The 2013 Union County Family Service Awards at The Galloping Hill Golf Club in Kenilworth. The event will recognize and honor individuals from different communities throughout Union County who serve families in need in extraordinary ways in their civic and private lives. NJ State Assemblyman Jon Bramnick will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella is the Honorary Event Chair, joined by an Event Committee of 20 community volunteers.

Goals

The goals of The 2013 Union County Family Service Awards program are: (1) to raise awareness about families in need; (2) to celebrate local citizens who volunteer their time to help their neighbors; (3) to encourage other individuals to make a commitment to serve families in need; and (4) to support the many free programs made available to low income families in Union County by Homefirst.

Honorees

Three nominations were requested from the mayors of each municipality in Union County. One Honoree will be selected from each town by an independent panel of community leaders in Union County. Honorees will be chosen based on how their efforts support and strengthen families in need, the impact of their volunteer work, the longevity of their service and their commitment to helping families in Union County. Preference will be given to nominees who help families that lack access to social services.

Program

The evening will start at 6:00PM with a wine & hors d’oeuvres reception, featuring music from the Florian Schantz Jazz Combo of Westfield, followed by the awards ceremony and dinner at 7:30PM. The event will include a live auction as well as entertainment provided by the Celebration Singers, a community choral group based in Cranford.

Ellen McGovern, Executive Director, will speak on behalf of Homefirst and will present a film about the agency’s services and their impact on families and children in need. The evening is scheduled to conclude by 10:00PM.

Host

Homefirst delivers comprehensive solutions to homelessness by providing transitional and permanent housing, homeless prevention assistance and family support services. Established in 1986 in Plainfield, the agency assists over 1,500 adults and children every year throughout Union County. The programs of the agency are designed to educate and empower families in crisis and to develop the skills for self-sufficiency. Homefirst builds strong communities – one family at a time.

Community Participation

An Evening of Thanks is meant to be a public event, a community celebration of service. Citizens, community groups, civic organizations, businesses and religious congregations are invited to participate as volunteers, supporters and sponsors. For more information about how you can be involved, please visit www.homefirstinc.org or contact Ellen McGovern, Executive Director at Homefirst, at ellen@homefirstinc.org or at 908-753-4001 x13.

 

Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (R) presents a certificate of appreciation to Lyman Thompson for his 41 years of commitment, dedication and outstanding professional service to the Roselle Park Public School District and the Borough of Roselle Park. Mr. Thompson recently retired.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with Union County College, will continue its series of information session on free job training, offered through the Union County Choices program this Wednesday, August 28th from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m., at Union County College’s Elizabeth Campus, located at 40 West Jersey St.

Both sessions will focus on the Global Logistics Associate (GLA) Certification, a program that trains participants in the basics of logistics/supply chain and the associated functions necessary for the delivery of goods. The program is broken up into six units consisting of:

• Workplace Essentials
• Supply Chain Management
• Transportation Management
• Warehouse Management
• Computer Systems
• Safety Awareness

 

The information session is free of charge to attend, and walk-ins are welcome although pre-registration is preferred. The GLA certification program is set to run Tuesday through Thursday, September and October 2013, and includes a three week course duration and a fourth week review and certification test.

The Union County Choices program, which is one of Freeholder Linda Carter’s initiatives as Chairman of the Board, is geared towards providing a range of skills and sector training to eligible job seekers in Union County’s priority economic development sectors. The program recently began its first round of training courses in the Healthcare sector in July, and is expected to also provide training in Retail Operations later on this Fall.

To register, or for more information on the Union County Choices program, please contact Gina Tuesta at gtuesta@ucnj.org; for registration purposes, please include your name, contact information and email address. In addition to attending the information session, to be considered for the Union County Choices program candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, take the TABE test and score at 8th grade level or above, be WIA eligible and complete a criminal background check prior to the start of the training program.

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