County of Union, New JerseyDefault category for all normal press releases
(From right to left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh and Freeholder Bruce Bergen present a $10,000 Preserve Union County matching grant award to Summit City Council President Robert Rubino, Reeves Reed Arboretum Executive Director Frank Juliano and Summit Councilman Gregory Drummond to assist with emergency repairs at the historic Reeves Reed Arboretum in Summit. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present special programs for families and adults. To kick off the Presidents’ holiday weekend a free re-enactment of part of the life of Franklin D. Roosevelt, for adults 18 years and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside will be presented on Friday, February 13 from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. as part of the February Festivities programming.
The date is December 29, 1940, Franklin Roosevelt has just been re-elected to an unprecedented third term in office. But the world is in crisis. Europe and America may soon be drawn into war. Learn what President Roosevelt was thinking. Listen to his plea for the support of our Allies. Experience firsthand the history that shaped our nation. Neill Hartley, of the American Historical Theatre, portrays F.D.R. in a fully staged historical presentation, which brings to life the background behind the famous address that implored: “We must be an arsenal for democracy.” This program is made possible in part by funding from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities. The program is free but donations are welcomed.
“Here is a chance to relive historic events that happened 75 years ago, as history comes alive with this dramatic performance,” says Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
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. For more information about this workshop for adults and a complete listing of the February Festivities activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us on our website at www.ucnj.org/trailside.
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to announce a new and exciting season of summer camps and family programs at Trailside Nature & Science Center.
“Trailside summer programs offer adults and children a great opportunity to explore the outdoors while learning about nature,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Each Trailside camp and family program is filled with hands-on, educational activities that encourage a child’s natural curiosity. Theme hikes, games and crafts are all part of the Trailside experience.”
Due to the popularity of Trailside’s summer programs, a lottery system will be used beginning Saturday, February 7 and continuing through Friday, February 20, or until all numbers have been drawn. Union County residents may visit Trailside to draw a lottery number from noon – 5 p.m. daily. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, will be required to draw a number and only one number may be drawn per family/address. Registrants must pick their own lottery ticket for their family, and each registrant’s name, address, lottery number and arrival time will be recorded when the lottery number is chosen. The number drawn will indicate the registrant’s position on line and time of arrival for registration day, scheduled for Saturday, March 7.
Summer Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 for Union County residents who have drawn a lottery ticket. Registrants must bring their ticket with them to register and must be present when their number is called or their position in line will be forfeited. Each ticket holder may only register their child/family. If a registrant arrives after their number is called, but within their designated registration hour indicated on their lottery ticket, they may register at the end of the one-hour time block. If the registrant misses their one hour time block entirely, they may return at 3:30 p.m. to register. No exceptions will be made.
Registration for out-of-county residents will begin Monday, March 9, from noon – 4:45 p.m. Lottery tickets will not be required and registration will continue until all programs are filled.
For information on Trailside’s 2015 Summer Camps, including registration procedures, please call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit us on the web 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.
Union County Baseball Association Also Honors Student Athletes at 79th Annual Dinner to Benefit Youth Baseball Leagues
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – Roy White, former New York Yankees All-Star outfielder and two-time World Series champion, will be the special guest speaker at the 79th Annual Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner on Sunday, February 8, starting at 1:00 p.m. in the L’Affaire Banquet Center, 1099 Route 22 East, in Mountainside.
The awards dinner is sponsored by the Union County Baseball Association (UCBA), in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. Since 1937, the Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner has been the primary fund-raiser for the UCBA’s summer and fall programs for young ballplayers.
During the afternoon awards ceremonies, the UCBA will induct four new members into the Union County Baseball Hall of Fame: Jorge Comas of Elizabeth, Barry Kaverick of Kenilworth, Richard McCormack of Elizabeth, and Jack Shaw of Roselle Park.
“We’re delighted to welcome Roy White to this year’s Hot Stove League Awards Dinner,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “We hope that family members, teammates and friends of the Hall of Fame inductees and the very deserving young local honorees will enjoy the Sunday afternoon ceremonies and support youth baseball in Union County.”
Among the young local ball players to be honored for their athletic achievements are: Nick Christiani of Linden, Chrissy Ferraro of Westfield, Rebecca Rotola of Linden, and Tommy Trotter of Cranford.
The Hot Stove League Baseball Dinner also will honor athletes from local youth baseball leagues for their achievements in 2014.
Union County Baseball Association
79th Hot Stove League Annual Baseball Dinner
February 8, 2015 – Starting at 1:00 p.m.
L’Affaire Banquet Center, Route 22 East,
Mountainside, New Jersey 07092
Tickets for the awards dinner are $45 and may be purchased in advance online by visiting www.UCBA-NJ.org or by downloading and mailing the ticket reservation form to the Union County Baseball Association, PO Box 176, Fanwood, New Jersey 07023. For more information, please call Jim Iozzi at 908-917-2523.
Union County, NJ – The Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that five Union County parks are designated for sledding:
“Fortunately, Union County was spared the worst of the storm, but school closures are still in effect today so it’s safe to assume that many young people will be out enjoying themselves in the snow,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Please be careful and dress warm.”
To avoid tree hazards, sledders in Union County parks are strongly advised to avoid sledding devices that cannot be steered.
Downhill skiing is strictly prohibited in all County parks, but cross-country skiing is permitted in the following parks:
Skating on natural waterways in County parks is contingent on the availability of at least four inches of clear ice as measured by Parks officials in accordance with widely accepted safety standards. No waterways have met that standard so far this winter.
Union County’s indoor Warinanco Ice Skating Center is closed today, but it will be open for business as usual on Wednesday, January 28.
Watchung Stable and the Trailside Nature and Science Center are also closed today and will resume normal operations on Wednesday, January 28.
For a complete list of activities in Union County parks visit ucnj.org.
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Union County, NJ – In advance of tonight’s storm, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents to follow safe operating guidelines for generators and other emergency power equipment.
“After Superstorm Sandy, many Union County residents purchased emergency generators for home and commercial use in case of another extended power outage,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “With the pending blizzard approaching, now is the time to review your operating instructions, to make sure that you don’t expose yourself to carbon monoxide poisoning and other risks.”
Emergency generators must be placed outdoors, away from windows, in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. For more details, visit the US Department of Energy at energy.gov.
Residents should be aware that carbon monoxide poisoning can also result when household cooking stoves, grills, and other open-flamed devices are used for indoor heating.
Caution should be exercised when using candles or kerosene lamps for lighting. Place them on a flat, stable surface that pets or small children can’t reach, and keep them well away from drapes, papers, and other fire hazards.
Refrigerated foods can be compromised in case of an extended power outage. For reliable guidelines on refrigeration safety, visit Rutgers University at njaes.rutgers.edu.
In case of a power outage, always report your situation to your utility. Your information will help pinpoint the extent of the outage and aid in a more efficient response.
PSE&G: Call 800-436-7734 or visit pseg.com.
JCP&L (a First Energy company): Call 800-545-7738 or visit firstenergycorp.com.
For questions about your natural gas service, call Elizabethtown Gas at 800-492-4009.
Visit ucnj.org for updates, or receive storm updates, alerts, and other information from Union County by email or on your mobile device by signing up at ucfirstalert.org (all residents with land lines will still receive reverse-911 alerts on their home phones).
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MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to offer special February Festivities programming at Trailside Nature & Science Center during the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend, February 13-16, 2015.
“All of the programs during February Festivities give families an opportunity to enjoy creative and interactive programs that will teach, entertain and delight adults and children of all ages,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “Union County is committed to providing affordable family fun at our facilities.”
Featured for FREE this year on Sunday, February 15 at 5:00 p.m. is a showing of Disney’s sing-a-long version of “FROZEN” outdoors on the big screen. Surrounded by campfires, families are invited to enjoy hot chocolate as they watch this popular children’s movie. Arrive early at 4:00 p.m. to watch Kathy Murarik, of the New Jersey Sled Dog Club demonstrate the working skills of her sled dog team. Visitors can watch as her dogs are hitched to a sled specially modified for New Jersey terrain. The New Jersey Sled Dog Club (NJSDC) was formed in 1978 by approximately 30 state residents who raced dogs. One of the purposes of the club was to conduct sled dog events in the local area and to educate the public about the sport. Another function of the club is to offer educational programs informing the public about sled dogs, their history, function, breed types, equipment and famous races such as the Iditarod. Visitors are also invited to join in a Twilight Winter Walk with one of Trailside’s naturalists before the movie begins. Discover which animal neighbors are waking up as the sun goes down in winter. Look and listen for signs of resident birds and mammals.
Kicking off the holiday weekend on Friday, February 13 at 7:15 -8:15 p.m. for adults, ages 18 and older, is a re-enactment
entitled “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” The date is December 29, 1940, Franklin Roosevelt has just been re-elected to an unprecedented third term in office. The world is in crisis. Europe and America may soon be drawn into war. Learn what President Roosevelt was thinking. Listen to his plea for the support of our Allies. Neil Hartley portrays F.D.R. in a fully staged historical presentation that brings to life the background behind the famous address that implored: “We must be an arsenal for democracy.” This program is sponsored in part by the New Jersey Council for Humanities. There is no fee for this program; however, donations are appreciated.
On Saturday, February 14, at 1:15 p.m. families can find out what turtles and snakes have in common and where they go for the winter months. Meet live snakes and turtles from Trailside’s reptile collection.
At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, families will see how 100% real maple syrup is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree in “The Journey of Sap to Syrup.” Find out what equipment is needed to collect sap and take part in a taste test to see if you can identify the real thing. “The Journey of Sap to Syrup” and “Snakes and Turtles of NJ” are recommended for families with children ages 5 and older. The fee for these two programs is $5/person for Union County residents and $6/person for non-county.
Highlighting the festivities on Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16 at 1:30 p.m. is “Fantasy, Illusion and Magic.” Join Joe Fischer for a fast paced show has the perfect blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement. The matinee is recommended for ages 4 and older and admission is $5/person. Tickets go on sale at 1:00 p.m. before the matinee. No strollers in the auditorium please. At 2:30 on Monday, The Journey of Sap to Syrup will be offered again for families recommended with children ages 5 and older.
For additional information about programs offered during February Festivities or any upcoming programs and special events, please call 908-789-3670 or visit us 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.
EITC is a federal and state tax benefit for individuals and families who earn low-to-moderate incomes in NJ. It is a tax credit that may reduce the amount of taxes you owe, or provide you with a refund, even if you don’t owe any taxes.
To get the NJ state EITC, you must file a federal tax form, be eligible for the federal EITC and file a state income tax return. (If you are married but file separately, you may not claim the EITC.)
Depending on your income and family size, you could receive a federal credit of as much as $496 to $6,143, and a state credit of as much as $99 to $1,228.
To qualify, your earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must be less than:
Free tax preparation is available at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. For the nearest locationon, call NJ’s resource hotline, 2-1-1 or visit www.nj211.org
To obtain more information on New Jersey’s EITC, call toll-free 1-888-895-9179 or visit www.njeitc.org. For more information on federal EITC, call the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) toll-free at 1-800-829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov/eitc.
EITC refunds won’t count as income when you apply for or renew benefits like SNAP, SSI, Medicaid, cash assistance, or public housing. If you save your tax refund, it will not count against the resource/asset limits of these federally-funded programs for 12 months after the refund is received.
Union County, NJ – Union County will once again participate in the national Point-in-Time Count and Survey of the Homeless. This national census of homeless persons takes place each January. In Union County, it will be conducted from Tuesday night, January 27 to the morning of Wednesday, January 28.
As in previous years, Union County will coordinate the survey with walk-in outreach events, in order to help homeless persons and others in need connect with resources that are available to help them.
“Especially in the winter months, it is important to do our best to ensure that every person in Union County has access to the basic and essential needs of food, shelter and warmth,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “I’d like to thank our volunteers in advance, for their help in conducting the survey and providing assistance to those in need.”
In Union County, the Point-in-Time Count is assisted by a corps of volunteers coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services.
Other County agencies providing assistance are the office of Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan and the Union County Police Division, which will provide individuals with transportation to shelters as needed. The Plainfield Police Department also assists in Plainfield.
This year there will be two walk-in outreach events, in Elizabeth and Plainfield. The Elizabeth event is coordinated by the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless at 119 Division Street, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 28.
The Plainfield event is coordinated by Ruth Fellowship Ministries, 733 South Second Street, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, January 28.
In addition, a special Union County initiative called “Union County Street Count” will take place early Wednesday morning, January 28, from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. During these hours, Union County will provide shelter to anyone found homeless on the streets.
The Union County Street Count is an extension of the County’s nationally recognized Code Blue initiative. Code Blue calls for county and local agencies to coordinate their resources to seek out persons needing help and assist them in getting to a warm shelter during life-threatening cold weather alerts.
“Code Blue has proven to be effective since its inception in 2007, and the County will continue to make every effort to help those in crisis,” said Jalloh.
As mandated nationally by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the annual Point-in-Time Count includes homeless persons in conventional shelters. Persons sheltering outdoors or in other unconventional locations are counted every two years under HUD requirements. New Jersey has opted to survey both categories each year, in order to help develop improved strategies to prevent homelessness and assist the homeless.
Homelessness in New Jersey is driven by many factors, including a shortage of rental housing and consequent upward pressure on the cost of renting. Other significant factors include the ongoing foreclosure crisis, a shortage of affordable or supportive housing, a shortage of jobs that pay a living wage, and the continuing effects of housing loss after Superstorm Sandy.
In Union County, the 2014 Point-in-Time Count revealed that a significant majority of homeless persons were members of homeless families.
The count included 353 homeless family households, totaling 1,164 persons. Another 517 individual homeless persons were also counted, for an overall total of 1,681 persons.
Persons interested in volunteering to assist with the 2015 Point-in-Time count in Union County can contact Maureen Segale-Glenn, mglenn@ucnj.org or 908-527-4838.
The Point-in-Time survey is being coordinated statewide in New Jersey as NJCounts by the nonprofit housing organization Monarch Housing Associates. Tweets about NJCounts can be found on Twitter at #NJCounts 2015.
For more information about Monarch Housing Associates visit monarchhousing.org.
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Union County, NJ – It’s never too early to plan ahead for the best community garden ever, and with that in mind the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite educators, civic group leaders and other aspiring community gardeners to the third annual “Get Your Youth and Community Garden Growing” workshop on Saturday, February 28.
Presented by experts with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, the workshop will take place at the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside. Pre-registration is required by February 20. Continuing Education Unit credits are available.
“Now more than ever, we want to help the next generation of Union County residents grow up with a hands-on appreciation for the connection between our health and the earth, air, and water that supports us,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. “I encourage you to come to the workshop and get all the information you need to get started.”
Attendees can choose from sessions covering the fundamentals of growing a successful produce garden, such as how to pick a good site and how to keep pests out.
Other sessions cover integrating garden activities into health and nutrition lesson plans for youngsters in grades pre-K to 4, and for youth in grades 5, 6 and up.
Also included are two very popular specialty topics, how to grow strawberries and how to garden-in-a-hurry with containers.
“Strawberries are a popular school project because the fruits can mature while the school year is still in session, and container gardening is an easy, space-saving solution when you don’t have much room to work with,” said Jalloh. “Let our Extension experts show you some of the amazing things you can do with a few plastic buckets and a few minutes.”
The fee for “Get Your Youth and Community Garden Growing” is $25.00, which includes lunch and all materials. More details and a registration form are available at the Union County website, ucnj.org.
To register online visit tinyurl.com/schoolgardenconference by February 20. Registrations are also accepted by mail. To request a brochure and registration form by mail, call the Extension office in Westfield at 908-654-9854.
The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Supported in part by the Freeholder Board, it is part of a national network organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to foster youth development and community health. For more information on 4-H, Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards, and many other programs in Union County, visit ucnj.org/rce.
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Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, and any other category protected by law. Rutgers Cooperative Extension encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you need special accommodations, have questions about physical access, or require alternate means for program information, please contact your local Extension Office. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 848-932-3584.