Category: Public Info

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will present “Project WET” – a teacher-training workshop for adults ages 18 and older at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“This teacher-training workshop is a great opportunity for educators to use Trailside’s resources to learn how to bring a greater awareness and understanding of our environment and natural resources to students,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon.

In today’s society, water is often taken for granted. The Project WET workshop will provide the necessary tools, resources and lessons for educators to utilize in the classroom to teach about the importance of water in everyday life. Formal and informal educators are invited to join a certified Project WET facilitator for a day of interactive, educational hands-on activities focusing on water as a valuable resource.

Participants in the Project WET workshop will work together to discover the properties of water while earning six NJDOE teaching credits. Each participant will receive the Project WET curriculum and activity guide with more than 90 interdisciplinary activities and lessons, teacher-tested and classroom-ready for K-12 students. Lessons in the guide are correlated to New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards. New Jersey Project WET is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Watershed Management Division and the New Jersey Audubon Society.

Pre-registration is required for this workshop and space is limited. The fee is $20 per person and includes the Project WET curriculum and activity guide. Light refreshments will be served during morning registration. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch.

For information on the Project WET teacher-training workshop or for upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit the website: www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Ave.) in Mountainside and 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 – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that an important new link in the East Coast Greenway bike trail is now officially open in the county’s Lenape Park in Kenilworth. The East Coast Greenway is a 3,000 mile bike trail running up the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. The new Lenape Park Trail will enable Greenway travelers to avoid heavy traffic as they go through Union County.

“Bringing this nationally significant bike trail through our densely populated region is quite an achievement, and on behalf of the Freeholder Board I would like to thank the state Department of Transportation, the East Coast Greenway and all those who worked to make it possible,” said Deborah Scanlon, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

The new Lenape Park Trail routes cyclists away from heavy roadway traffic. It enters the park just west of Dorset Drive on Kenilworth Boulevard and follows the existing Lenape Dike into Black Brook Park.

The trail extends for 1.45 miles and passes through parts of Cranford, Kenilworth, Springfield and Union. It also enables a greenway connection from the county’s Echo Lake Park in Mountainside in the west through Black Brook Park in the east.

“The East Coast Greenway is an important new recreation resource for our residents, and it will also bring in visitors from throughout the United States and beyond, helping to stimulate economic activity in Union County,” said Scanlon.

Funding for the new trail was through a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation, and $170,000 from the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The East Coast Greenway stretches from Maine to Florida. When it is completed, it will provide a designated cycling route from Key West in Florida to Calais at the tip of Maine. It will form a 2,950-mile “Appalachian Trail” for cyclists, combining off-road and urban experiences.

In addition to using as much parkland as possible, the Greenway goes through almost every major city on the East Coast.

In New Jersey, the Greenway stretches for about 92 miles, from the Delaware to the Hudson River. It passes through 27 towns in six counties including Union County. The route is currently 48 percent on traffic-free paths, and it has the second highest percent of completed trail in any Greenway state.

So far, 62 miles of the New Jersey route have been completed. The Lenape Park section is the only new link achieved this year.

In Union County, the Greenway runs from Rahway, through the center of the county, up to Cranford and Kenilworth, where it turns through Lenape and Black Brook parks before heading east to Hillside, where the path connects to Essex County’s Weequahic Park in Newark.

The Greenway enters on the south side of Weequahic Park and follows a path along the eastern side of the 311-acre preserve, before exiting onto Elizabeth Avenue.

Future plans include a designated bike lane connecting Weequahic Park with Branch Brook Park in Essex County.

Directions to the new Lenape Park Trail: The new trail begins on the north side of Kenilworth Boulevard, just west of Dorset Drive. Drivers should park on Dorset Drive.

More information about the East Coast Greenway is available at www.greenway.org.

For more information about all Union County parks, recreation programs, and special events visit visitwww.ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L), Christopher Hudak (C) and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) speak with Andy Hamilton (2nd L), Elizabeth Brody and Mike Kruimer of the East Coast Greenway Alliance during the officially opening of an important new link in the East Coast Greenway in the county’s Lenape Park in Kenilworth. The East Coast Greenway is a developing trail system, spanning nearly 3,000 miles as it winds its way between Canada and Key West, linking all the major cities of the eastern seaboard. More than 25 percent of the route is already on safe, traffic-free paths. The new trail link in Union County extends for 1.45 miles and passes through parts of Cranford, Kenilworth, Springfield and Union. For more information about the East Coast Greenway visit www.greenway.org (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

ROSELLE, NJ – Registration for the first session of Hockey Clinics and Ice Skating Lessons will begin Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Warinanco Ice Skating Center in Roselle and continue through Sunday, November 6, or when the classes fill.

The first session of Group Ice Skating Lessons will begin Friday, November 11. Ice skating lessons meet once a week for 30 minutes. The session is six weeks. The fee for youths 17 years of age and under (and senior citizens) is $89 (includes rink admission). The fee for adults 18 and older is $94 (includes rink admission). Skate rentals are available for a fee of $3 at the time of the lesson.

Hockey Clinics will begin on Sunday, November 13. Hockey Clinics meet once a week for one hour. The session is six weeks. The fee for First Start (ages 4-6) and Youth (ages 7-12) is $95. Hockey equipment is required.

Please register for classes or clinics in person. Applications will not be accepted by mail. You can pick up a registration form at the Warinanco Skating Center.

The Warinanco Ice Skating Center is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and is operated by the Department of Parks and Community Renewal. The Skating Center is located in Warinanco Park off Thompson Avenue in Roselle. Entrances to Warinanco Park are located on St. George’s Avenue, Thompson Avenue, and Third Avenue.

For further information about the Warinanco Ice Skating Center or the times and dates of classes, call 908-298-7850 for a recorded message or 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 .

(From right) Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Angel G. Estrada and Bette Jane Kowalski present a resolution to Natalie Belverio, President of the Clark Library Board of Trustees, Clark Councilman Brian Toal and Councilwoman and Library Trustee Angel Albanese congratulating them on the 50thanniversary of the Clark Public Library. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Union County Freeholder Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella (2nd L) and Freeholders Angel G. Estrada (L) and Christopher Hudak congratulate Pam Capaci, Executive Director of Prevention Links, on a successful 13th Annual Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Day on October 22 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark The event kicked off Red Ribbon Week which is aimed at educating young people about the dangers of drugs and encourages them to live a drug free lifestyle. For more information, visit www.preventionlinks.org. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

Union County Freeholder Daniel Sullivan (R) presents a $20,000 Kids Recreation Trust Fund check to Berkeley Heights Mayor Joseph Bruno (C) and Recreation Director Tom Barton. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded funding to 19 municipalities through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund’s 2011 Kids Recreation Trust Fund. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites families to become paleontologists for the evening on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at Trailside Nature & Science Center’s program, “Discover Dinosaurs.” This hour-long fun and educational program starts at 6:00 p.m. and is recommended for children ages 4-5 with an adult. The fee is $6 per person for Union County residents and $7 for out-of -county participants. Pre-registration is required.

“This program, part of Trailside’s Dusk to Dark Evening Family Programs, offers families an opportunity to participate in an interactive and engaging activity and it is specially designed to accommodate working families,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon.

Children will delight in pretending to be a paleontologist and search the Visitor Center for dinosaur bones. Families will work together to assemble a large dinosaur puzzle and measure the size of a Stegosaur, T-Rex and Ultrasaur. This program will encourage children to use their imagination and pretend to be dinosaurs for the night.

For additional information on the Discover Dinosaurs family program or on any other upcoming programs and events at Trailside call 908-789-3670 or visit 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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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 Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon presents a resolution to Michael Weinstein of the New Jersey Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network proclaiming November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in Union County. For more information about pancreatic cancer visit pancan.org  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Sherman Feller in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of Feller’s photographs entitled “Doors &Windows around the World” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until Dec. 2nd. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists ensure an inspiring and interesting variety of exhibitions at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display this exhibit of fascinating and beautiful photographs by Sherman Feller.”

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mr. Feller graduated from Queens College of New York with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. His interest in photography started as a teenager in New York City, using a Brownie camera, reading photography magazines and experimenting with darkroom techniques. He shot photographs using medium format and 35 mm cameras and gained darkroom experience in the U.S. Army. Later he utilized microphotography and other photographic processes in his career as a chemist. Feller retired as an Analytical Chemist with Union Carbide Corporation.

Since 2007, Feller has had many solo exhibits: Scotch Plains Library, Westfield Library, Les Malamut Art Gallery in the Union Library, and Kenilworth Library. As an active participant in the Unique Vision Workshop (associated with New Jersey Photography Forum), he displayed over a dozen photographs in their annual exhibits in the last seven years. Feller’s photographs have been in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Times and the Suburban News, on The New York Times website, and he is a contract photographer for the Patch.com website.

Sherman Feller has 55 years of photography experience using medium format and 35 mm cameras. Currently he works with a Canon EOS Rebel T1i digital camera, and Canon IP 4700 Photo Printer. He has lived in Fanwood for 45 years where he and his wife raised their three children.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or to learn about other programs and services please 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. E-mail to:culturalinfo@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 – Many area residents have been learning to practice healthier eating habits while improving their physical activity, with help from free and low-cost programs offered by The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Now one of the programs, called Get Moving–Get Healthy New Jersey, has been recognized with the prestigious National Institute of Food and Agriculture award for Innovative Program Models by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“I’d like to note that this is the third national recognition received by Get Moving–Get Healthy within the past two years,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “Rutgers Cooperative Extension has proven to be a valuable resource for Union County residents seeking reliable, common sense information on nutrition and wellness.”

Dr. Karen Ensle, who is Department Head of the Union County Extension and is also a member of  the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences at Rutgers University, noted that Get Moving–Get Healthy combines the resources of her Rutgers’s health sciences and 4-H youth development programs.

“Through simple, everyday actions that add up to significant results, the Extension is able to reach county residents with a proactive health message that works to decrease childhood obesity,” said Dr. Ensle.

Get Moving–Get Healthy New Jersey is designed to help people of all ages practice healthy habits of diet and exercise. The program sets modest, common sense goals that build confidence and help people ease gradually into new routines.

“Childhood obesity is a family issue, and this program helps families learn healthier eating and physical activity habits together,” said Scanlon.

The Union County Extension brings Get Moving—Get Healthy to the public through free and low-cost classes at its quarters in the County services building in Westfield, and through special events, classes and activities across Union County in partnership with other government agencies, community organizations, schools, and businesses.

The Extension also encourages residents to participate in fun online learning activities such as the “Small Steps to Health and Wealth Challenge,” at www.rutgers.ancc.net.

Related Extension projects include the Walk New Jersey Point-to-Point Walking Program, Grow Healthy, andGet Moving–Get Healthy with New Jersey 4-H.

Upcoming Union County Extension classes in Westfield include “Celebrate Food Day” on October 24, and a weekly series in November called “Balanced Living.” To get more information or to sign up, contact Digna Torres at the Extension offices, 908-654-9854 or dtorres@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.