Category: Public Info

Photo Caption (photo attached):Virginia Pendergast of Clark (center), shown here with Union County Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan and Madeline Dinardo of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, displays her winning entry in the Heaviest Tomato category at the Union County Fair Harvest Contest last year. For information on entering this year’s contest in September call the Extension at 908-654-9854, or follow the Events link at theucfair.org. (Photo: Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – New Jersey tomatoes can reach epic proportions and the Union County Freeholder Board is inviting home gardening enthusiasts to show off their best efforts in the second annual Harvest Contest at the Union County Fair this fall. The biggest tomato will be just one of the prizewinners in several Harvest Contest categories, including a new Quick Bread category.

The Union County Fair features a full scale carnival, free MusicFest concerts, food and craft vendors, and much more. It takes place from Wednesday September 14 through Sunday September 18 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

“Our Union County gardeners – and bakers – help to remind us that good nutrition begins with fresh foods and home cooked meals,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “The Harvest Contest is our way of recognizing and appreciating their contributions to a healthy community.”

The Harvest Contest is sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

The vegetable categories are heaviest tomato, heaviest zucchini, funniest looking undecorated vegetable, best character made from vegetables, and best pumpkin. All vegetables must be grown by the contestant.

On Saturday, visitors to the County Fair are invited to vote for the “People’s Choice Awards” for the funniest looking vegetable and the best vegetable character.

Harvest Contest entrants and all visitors to the County Fair are also invited to enter for a chance to win a free rain barrel valued at $100, sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Quick Bread entries will be judged on seven points including looks, texture, and flavor.

All gardening and baking contestants receive a participation ribbon. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place entries.

For complete Harvest Contest details including drop-off, judging, and pickup times, call RCE of Union County at 908-654-9854 for a free Harvest Contest brochure. To view the brochure online visit www.theucfair.org and follow the Events link to the Harvest Contest.

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Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584

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

Union County, NJ – Each year, the Union County Department of Human Services places dozens of teenagers in summer jobs through the Youth Employment and Training Program. The program combines a summer work experience with year-round career and life skills training. This summer, 143 youths have enrolled.

“The young people in this program are going the extra mile to enter the workforce with good skills, references, and an employment history,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “This is a key program that helps young adults grow into responsible members of our communities.”

Almost all of the participants are entering their junior or senior year of high school. The program also accommodates teenagers that are recent high school graduates, drop-outs, and college students pursuing a degree. Participants must meet income eligibility criteria established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Each participant earns $7.25 per hour for their summer job. During the school year they take part in a program called Career Exposure Activities, which focuses on occupational skills, leadership, study skills, mentoring, and financial literacy.

This year’s Youth Employment and Training Program service providers are the Clark Board of Education, the Plainfield Board of Education, Rahway Community Action Organization, Inc., and the Urban League of Union County, Inc. The service providers have worksite agreements with various Union County community organizations. The youths are employed in fields such as clerical support, landscapers, child care assistants, and junior counselors. Clark is a unique component of the program which serves youths with special needs.

The Youth Employment and Training Program is funded under the federal Workforce Investment Act.

Parents interested learning more about the Youth Employment and Training Program can call Jeffrey Jackson, Youth Coordinator, Union County Department of Human Services at 908- 527-4864, or visit the County’s One Stop Career Center located at 921 Elizabeth Avenue, 4th Floor, Elizabeth, NJ.

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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.

CLARK, NJ – The sport of archery is alive and well in Union County and there’s no time like the present to enjoy the Union County Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park in Clark. 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.
“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 see the public interest in the archery range and happy to offer beginners ages nine years and older an 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.

Group archery lessons are scheduled at the following times:

• 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. The 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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Charlene Rieger-Velli of Linden in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of Rieger-Velli’s photographs entitled “Flora, Fauna and Faces” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until Sept. 30. 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 intriguing photographs by Charlene Rieger-Velli.”

In 2010, encouraged by family and friends, Charlene entered the National Arts Program(r) Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families. One of her photographs placed second in the Adult Intermediate category and secured her an invitation to exhibit her winning work at the Union County Freeholders Gallery.

Charlene Rieger-Velli is an accomplished, self-taught photographer. She has a background in both black and white film and color film, but now works entirely in digital. A generous portion of her work reflects her lifelong love of nature; however, she enjoys photographing anything that catches her eye.

Ms. Rieger-Velli’s work can be found in local homes and businesses and it has appeared in the Star-Ledger newspaper in New Jersey. She was the first artist to represent Union County on the National Arts Program Foundation website and in July 2010 she was selected as their weekly “Featured Artist.” One of Charlene’s photographs was chosen to appear in the book, “Great Destinations NJ,” which features the art of New Jersey’s best photographers.

Charlene has donated her artwork to benefit numerous community and cultural organizations including her local library, cultural and heritage committee, YMCA and two animal shelters.

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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce that the First Place artworks from the 2011 Union County Senior Art Exhibit may be viewed at the Freeholders Gallery located on the 6th floor of the Union County Administration Building at Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth. The gallery hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. The display is on until August 24.

“The Union County Senior Art Show is open to artists 60 years of age and older who are currently living in Union County and are either non-professional or professional in status in various mediums of artwork,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “In September, all the winning pieces will represent Union County and compete further at the New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Show.”

The First Place winners in the non-professional category are:

William Connolly of Garwood (Watercolor);

Patricia Jahnsen of Berkeley Heights (Pastel);

William Jeney, Jr. of Scotch Plains (Acrylic);

John Leavy of Cranford (Craft);

Joseph J. Leonard of Elizabeth (Photography);

Manuel Perez of Elizabeth (Mixed Media);

Murray Shereshewsky of Westfield (Drawing & Best in Show);

Urban J. Weiss of Linden (Oil).

The First Place winners in the professional category are:

Dante Bonardi of Garwood (Watercolor);

Millicent K. Brody of Westfield (Photography);

Mel Holston of Plainfield (Drawing & Best in Show);

Florian Jenkins of Union (Pastel);

Rosalia Verdun of Roselle Park (Oil).

The first place winners of the 3-Dimensional category, non-professional and professional, are not exhibited at the gallery, but will also go to compete in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show. The two artists are:

Nick Dedes of Union (Sculpture, Non-Professional);

Rafael Alexander Illanes of Linden (Sculpture, Professional).

For further information and to learn more about exhibiting at the Freeholders Gallery, please contact Teya David, Curator, at the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone, 908-558-2550; or email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.  NJ Relay dial 711.

Union County, NJ — The Union County 4-H club program is looking for volunteers who love dogs and enjoy working with children, to lead the Union County 4-H Dog Club. The club helps children develop life skills while they learn about the care and training of dogs.

The club leader will be assisted by another adult, and 4-H provides lesson plans and tips on helping children learn the basic skills. No prior teaching experience is required. Some experience with dogs is important but an expert or professional background is not required.

The club is limited to eight members, in 4th through 6th grade. It meets one Saturday morning each month through the school year at the Union County Building at 300 North Avenue in Westfield.

Union County 4-H is a program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

To volunteer or to get more information, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 ornichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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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.

Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program and employer. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues its 51st season of music on Wednesday, August 24, with an evening of music performed by Parrotbeach. The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, led by Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon, invites the public to attend this free concert that begins at 7:30 p.m. at Echo Lake Park on the Mountainside-Westfield border.

Parrotbeach is one of the few full-time Jimmy Buffett tribute bands. Their music takes you back to your favorite seaside vacation, whether it was in the Caribbean, the Outer Banks, the Gulf of Mexico or Down the Shore. For more than ten years, Parrotbeach has been playing wherever the sea breeze takes them. Though Jimmy Buffett tunes are the largest part of their repertoire, other island music and party favorites round out their play list. The band members are comfortable with everything from rock to reggae, Motown, soul and swing. And it’s easy to see that these guys love their music.

“Bring the entire family for a delightful evening of music at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside,” said Freeholder Chairman Scanlon. “Pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on, and enjoy the sounds of summer under the stars.”

The Union County information van will be at the concert site with personnel from the Office of the Union County Sheriff and the K-9 Unit along with other knowledgeable Union County staff to answer questions and offer information about interesting programs and recreational activities that are available to Union County residents.

Sponsored by Union Center National Bank and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the August 24 concert by Parrotbeach is free of charge. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. Refreshments and snacks will be available from vendors.

The Summer Arts Festival concert series will conclude on Wednesday, August 31, when The Nerds bring their high energy party music to Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

For rain information call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at (908) 558-4079 after 3 p.m. on the day of the scheduled concert, or visit the Union County web site: 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 .

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2011 Teen Arts Traveling Exhibit is on display at the New Jersey Blood Center, located at 2279 South Avenue in Scotch Plains. The art work is on display through September 2nd during regular office hours.

The exhibit consists of 53 pieces of art selected from more than 700 visual art works shown at the 2011 Union County Teen Arts Festival held in March at Union County College in Cranford. The annual event is administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks & Community Renewal.

“Each year I am amazed by the wonderful artwork submitted by local students,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

For information about the Teen Arts program, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth 07202; telephone (908) 558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

2011 TEEN ARTS EXHIBIT – The exhibiting students are:

Berkeley Heights

Columbia Middle School
Julia Young

Clark

Mother Seton Regional HS
Victoria Marples

Cranford
Cranford HS
Shannon Daly

Gina DeCagna
Hillside Avenue School
Allison Curley

Orange Avenue School
Louis Capucci

St. Michael School
Kyle Borokowski

Elizabeth
Abraham Lincoln School
Dianeth Hernandez

Benedictine Academy
Keyona Wright

Benjamin Franklin School
Juan Martinez

Charles Hudson School
Damaris Quezada

Dr. Orlando Edreira School
Jessica Arguera

Elizabeth HS – Dwyer House
Jorge Soto Soriano

Elizabeth HS – Edison House
Gustavo Perez

Elizabeth HS – Jefferson House
Andres Camargo
Christie Ramirez

Elizabeth HS – Lower Academy
Wislet Dazime

Elizabeth HS – Upper Academy
Danny Luca

Madison-Monroe School
Arianna Honore

Nicholas M. Butler School
Eunice Edmond

Nicholas S. LaCorte School
Jonathan Lopez

St. Mary of the Assumption
Carla Gomes

T.C. Reilly School
Sindy Chavarria

William F. Halloran School
Walter Casanas

Woodrow Wilson School
Joel Romero

Hillside
Hillside HS

Ambyr Szablowski

Walter O. Krumbiegel MS
Pinto & Campbell

Kenilworth
David Brearley HS
Samantha Hoag
Anthony Madonia

Linden
Linden HS
Jose Ferero

McManus MS
Clint Malakuskie

Soehl MS
Eduardo Plaza

Mountainside
Deerfield MS
Bea Collins

New Providence
New Providence HS
Lylah Dugan

New Providence MS
Lillian Cahill

Plainfield
Central Jersey Arts School

Silvia Alpapucho
Cook School
Carin Hardy

Hubbard MS
Jose Peña de Leon

Maxon MS
Caleah Atkinson

Plainfield Academy of Arts
Anthony Cancel

Union County TEAMS HS
Crystal Attidore

Union County TEAMS MS
Shaun Counts

Scotch Plains
Union County Vo-Tech
Camillo Castillo
LaJuan Miller

Springfield
FM Gaudineer MS
N. Adbullahu, M. Pisauro & 
N. Stanislawczyk

Jonathan Dayton HS
Farharah Mohamad

Summit
Oratory Preparatory School
Tyler Otterbein

Union
Union HS
Pamela Chuang
Andrea Garcia

Westfield
Edison Intermediate School
Catlin Collins

Roosevelt Intermediate School
Kevin Miller
Alyson Palia

Winfield
Winfield School
Joel Walters

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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 scores among highest in statewide poll of urban
counties in quality of life; residents least likely of all to move out

UNION COUNTY–Union County residents are happy with where they live and say their communities are safe. They rate their county’s cultural activities, public schools, and public transportation options as top notch. They rate their County as fifth best in providing job opportunities and are also the least likely to move from where they live, according to a statewide poll conducted by Monmouth University.

Overall, Union County scored 7th highest among all 21 New Jersey Counties in the Garden State Quality of Life index released this week by Monmouth University. In comparison to its urban neighbors, Union County doubled the score of Essex County, while also besting nearby Hudson, Middlesex and Passaic Counties in the index.

“This is an affirmation of quality of life initiatives that are central to this Board’s governing policy,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon, who pointed to improvements in public safety and homeland security, as well as improvements in parks, recreation and cultural affairs programming.

“We frequently talk about ‘having the right priorities’ for Union County,” Scanlon said. “Part of having the right priorities is the courage to resist making cuts in certain areas that would damage our quality of life.”

Union County has worked to preserve more than 300 acres of open space, recently open new parks in Berkeley Heights and Clark, and funded the renovation of dozens of athletic fields through its Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The County also worked to recently renovate the Union County Arts Center in Rahway, which has become a regional venue for world-class and local entertainment.

Union County maintains its popular Summer Arts Program that includes free movies in the parks, and free summer concerts, and marquee concert events such as Rhythm and Blues By The Brook in Plainfield, and the Union County Fair featuring MusicFest in Clark.

“Over and over again, the people who attend these events tell us how much they enjoy them and ask us to keep them going,” said County Manager Alfred Faella, a former Parks and Community Renewal Director. “In these times when more folks choose to take a ‘staycation’ or remain at home, public parks programming and recreation grow in importance.”

The County also continues to fully fund the Union County Prosecutor’s Office in its crack down on drugs, and gang violence throughout the area, while providing millions in Homeland Security funds to local first responders, including the County’s HAZMAT and SWAT team which responds in critical situations.

“By giving law enforcement agencies the staff support and the tools they need to fight crime, we have made Union County a safer place to live,” Scanlon said.

In efforts to bolster employment, Union County has also opened two state-of-the art One-Stop facilities, which offers employment training and referral services, in the eastern and western ends of the County.

The Freeholder Board, Scanlon added, has placed an emphasis on creating new jobs through economic development projects including the recently-opened Union County College Trinitas School for Nursing, and the soon-to-be opened parking deck/commercial facility in Midtown Elizabeth. The County also worked to retain Wakefern, one of the County’s largest employers, and assist it to expand and create dozens of new jobs.

At the same time, Freeholder Angel Estrada also credits the County’s success in developing its Shared Services initiative, which has saved millions through efforts to identify and execute governmental opportunities.

“We meet regularly with our municipal leaders to identify new areas, and improve efficiencies in current programs we are sharing,” said Estrada, who chairs the Freeholder Committee on Shared Services.

Some highlights have included:

• Fanwood Dispatch—Last year, the County announced it is providing emergency dispatch services to the Borough of Fanwood saving residents almost a quarter million dollars over a three-year period.  The Fanwood dispatch went “live” last September and the transition has been successful.  It is anticipated that use of this service will be expanded as several municipalities have already expressed interest in participating.
• EMS—through talks with municipalities, the County identified an urgent need to provide umbrella coverage during times of shortages and launched a pilot ambulance service to help local squads respond to emergencies when volunteer levels are low.

Union County, through its Union County Improvement Authority, also became one of the first counties statewide to launch a countywide Solar Energy project that will save local governments and municipalities on its energy bills.

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