Author: Web Site Administrator

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to enjoy the beautiful autumn season in the Watchung Reservation with a variety of outdoor programs offered by Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

“Trailside’s programs offer families a wonderful opportunity to spend time together outdoors and reconnect with the natural world around us,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Pre-registration is required for all programs and can be completed online at ucnj.org/trailside (use the “Online Registration” link in the left-hand column).

Adults with children age four to six are invited to participate in Tyke Hikes, which are offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., beginning October 5. Participants will discover animal homes and hideouts, explore all the colors of the rainbow on a nature walk and search for monarch butterflies.

The fee is $10 per class for Union County residents and $12 per class for non-county residents. Other topics include snakes & turtles, backyard birds, senses, seeds and mammals.

Back to Nature, a series of walks in the Watchung Reservation for families, will resume on October 9, while moonlit family hikes will occur on October 21 and November 18. Programs are open to families with children ages four and older.

Back to Nature encourages nature discovery through hikes and outdoor activities. The series is offered on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Families will learn to identify birds by color and sound, experience the life of the Lenape Native Americans and search for animal tracks on a fall hike.  Other topics include bats and animal tracks.

The fee per program is $5 for Union County residents and $6 for non-county residents.

A Hunter’s Moon Hike will take place on October 21 and a Frost Moon Hike will take place on November 18, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Registrants will have the opportunity to explore the Watchung Reservation by the light of the full moon and learn about the wildlife that comes out after dark.

Social distancing will be practiced and face coverings are recommended.

Participants are advised to dress for the outdoors. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

For more information about upcoming activities for seniors, families and children at Trailside, please visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Free double feature drive up movie event, presented by Union County’s Board of County Commissioners and in partnership with Plainfield Public Schools

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to invite all residents to a double feature drive up movie event on October 1^st featuring Ferdinand and In the Heights in Plainfield High School’s parking lot, 950 Park Ave.

The parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 6:00PM.

The event is free, but pre-registration is required at ucnj.org/reserve. Please keep in mind that only one registration is required per car.

“We are all excited for this double feature event in Plainfield,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This event is a great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the entire family.”

Ferdinand is a 2017 computer-animated comedy adventure film based on a bull named Ferdinand who refuses to participate in bullfighting but is forced back into the arena where his beliefs are challenged when he faces off against the world’s greatest bullfighter.

In the Heights is a 2021 musical drama film based on the well-known stage musical. This film tells the story of a corner in the predominantly Dominican Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan in New York City, where every member of the community pursues their dreams of a better life.

The event will be shown on a weather-permitting basis. In case of bad weather, the rain date will be October 15^th.

Food and drinks will not be available for purchase, but attendees may bring their own refreshments. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

Please note that the audio for the movie will be transmitted thru Wi-Fi.

Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the restroom).

Further details will be available to residents upon reserving tickets.

For more information regarding the Hispanic Heritage month and related events, please contact Nathalie Alcaide-Hernandez by email at nahernandez@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-527-4880.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ –The Union County Board of Commissioners welcomes back seniors age 55 and up to participate in a series of free guided walks at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside this fall.

Located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, the series will take place every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., beginning October 8.

“These guided walks offer an excellent opportunity for senior residents to take part in an outdoor activity while enjoying the beautiful autumn season of the Watchung Reservation,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Each walk is led by a Trailside naturalist and highlights a different topic, including Reptile Ramble, Migratory Birds, a Fall Nature Walk, Plant This, Not That, Ecosystem Invaders, a Deserted Village Tour, Lenape Native Americans and an Early Winter Walk.

Pre-registration is required through the Trailside website, ucnj.org/trailside (use the “Online Registration” link in the left-hand column).

Social distancing will be practiced and face coverings are recommended.

The Sensory Friendly Trail first opened in 2018 and has quickly become a popular destination. It winds gently through the woods with guide ropes and features multiple interpretive signs to learn about the local flora and fauna, with 3-D reliefs and Braille for the visually impaired. It also includes audio kiosks highlighting the natural and human history of the Watchung Reservation, the largest preserved park in Union County at 2,142 acres.

For more information about the guided walks for seniors, online nature activities and other activities for families and children hosted by Trailside, please visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

For more information about upcoming activities for seniors, families and children at Trailside, please visit ucnj.org/trailside or call 908-789-3670.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities, visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

The $200 stipend applies to Election Day 2021, on Tuesday, November 2.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents seeking an opportunity to help during the 2021 Gubernatorial election cycle still have time to apply to become poll workers this year. All poll workers must attend a paid, mandatory training session as Electronic Poll Books will be used for the first time ever.

Poll workers will earn $200 for the day, starting at 5:15 a.m. through the close of the polls at 8:00 p.m.

Poll workers perform essential services on Election Day, by ensuring every eligible voter is afforded an opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

Any Union County resident who is 18 years or older, and registered to vote in Union County, can apply to become a poll worker.

No experience is needed. All new poll workers must attend a single-session training course. Returning poll workers take a paid, training seminar on the use of the new electronic poll books.

Persons interested in becoming a poll worker for the General Election on November 2nd are advised to apply now to reserve a spot.

To apply online, click here: https://ucnj.org/boe/election-day-poll-worker-application/, or request an application form by mail by calling the Board of Elections at 908-527-4236.

For more information, follow the Poll Worker Resources link at ucnj.org/ucboe.

For all Union County Board of Elections information visit online at ucnj.org/ucboe.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Union County Board of Elections Administrator Nicole DiRado advises all Union County residents of the new updates of the polling locations for the 2021 general election. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Ida, a few polling locations have been changed.

“Hurricane Ida has devastated us all, including numerous polling locations” said Ms. DiRado. “We encourage voters to visit our website to ensure the location of your designated polling location for the upcoming General Election. Voters will also find this information on their sample ballots.”

Voters who choose to vote in person on Election Day, November 2, must use their designated polling place. Please visit ucnj.org/ucboe for the complete updated list of designated polling locations.

Updated polling locations include:

• Elizabeth, Ward 4, Districts 6, 7, 9 & 10: O’Donnell Sampson Towers, 632 Salem Avenue
• Springfield, Districts 1, 2, & 3: Caldwell School, 36 Caldwell Place, Gymnasium

The New Providence early voting location has been relocated to the New Providence Municipal Center, 360 Elkwood Avenue, Gymnasium (Academy Street Entrance), due to damage sustained during Hurricane Ida.

The Union Township early voting location has also been relocated to the Union Township Senior Center, 968 Bonnel Court.

Please keep in mind that early voting locations are for machine voting only. Vote by mail ballots cannot be submitted at these locations. Please visit https://ucnj.org/boe/early-voting/ for the complete list of early voting locations.

Voters who plan to use a vote by mail ballot can deposit it in any of the Board of Elections 24 secure drop boxes in Union County, return it to the Board of Elections by U.S. Postal Service, or hand-deliver it to the Board of Elections office in Elizabeth by November 2, 2021 at 8pm.

For more information, including a list of drop box locations and an online polling place finder, visit the Board of Elections online at ucnj.org/ucboe, email ucboe@ucnj.org, or call 908-527-4123.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.