Union County will continue to promote outreach and cancer education through the New Jersey Cancer Education and Early Detection (NJCEED) program, which provides free, comprehensive screening services for breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancer. Services through the program also include education and outreach, along with case management, tracking and follow-up.

The NJCEED Program is part of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. The program seeks to increase the awareness of each person’s risk for breast, cervical, prostate and/or colorectal cancer and to encourage them to use screening services for early detection and more effective treatment.

Upcoming Events:

Free Cancer Screenings

Plainfield City Hall Annex, Plainfield NJ
Saturday April 5, 2014
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Miller Evans Logan Center, Elizabeth, NJ
Saturday April 12, 2014
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Clark Recreation Center, Clark, NJ
Saturday April 26, 2014
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Union Township Community Action Organization, Vauxhall, NJ
Saturday June 7, 2014
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

For more information about NJCEED or to see if you are eligible for free screening services visit the NJCEED website at www.state.nj.us/health/canceror call the Union County Office of Health Management at 908-518-5620.

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Arbor Day 2014, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is once again partnering with the Shade Tree Advisory Board to sponsor the annual Young Writers of Union County Poetry Contest and free tree giveaway for Union County Schools. This year’s free tree is the pink Flowering Magnolia.

“The Freeholder Board is very proud of the Union County teachers and students who participate in Arbor Day, a national celebration of environmental stewardship,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “Studies have shown that trees improve property values and provide many other civic benefits while absorbing airborne pollutants, providing a cooling effect in summer, preventing soil erosion, and helping to alleviate flooding.”

The free Flowering Magnolia trees are available on a first come first served basis while supplies last. Requests must be submitted by Friday, April 11.

Schools that are interested in obtaining a tree can request one by contacting Michele Russo at the Union County Department of Public Works, 908-789-3676 or marusso@ucnj.org. Parent volunteers who wish to represent their child’s school should contact the school’s principal.

The free Flowering Magnolia trees are about five feet tall and weigh about 20 pounds. When fully grown they will be about 15-20 feet tall. Protective stakes are also provided with each tree.

For schools that receive a tree, free sessions in tree planting and tree care are available to students, teachers, and parent volunteers through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Master Tree Steward Program.

The annual Young Writers of Union County Poetry Contest is open to students in grades four through eight. It is intended to encourage young people to explore the many contributions that trees make to Union County communities.

Poetry contest entries must be received by April 30. Schools wishing to participate should contact Michele Russo, 908-789-3676 or marusso@ucnj.org to obtain a registration form.

“Trees are a key resource in our densely developed area and the Freeholder Board takes stewardship of this community asset very seriously,” said Hudak.

Hudak noted that Union County tends to thousands of trees along county-maintained roads and in county parks. The Freeholder Board also provides matching tree planting grants to the 21 municipalities through the longstanding Greening Union County initiative.

Last year, Union County partnered with other agencies and the Super Bowl 2014 Host Committee to distribute dozens of saplings to local residents, as part of a multi-county initiative to replace trees lost during Superstorm Sandy.

“The Freeholder Board also provides support for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County Master Tree Steward volunteers, who do a wonderful job of boosting public awareness about the value of trees,” said Hudak.

The U.S. Forest Service provides free public domain software to calculate the dollar value of trees in an urban community. The latest version, i-Tree v.4, is user-friendly for individuals, students, and community groups as well as professional planners.

Arbor Day has been a national observance since 1872, encouraging the public to plant and care for trees.  This year it will be celebrated on Friday, April 25.

To find out more about tree care in Union County, or to volunteer to become certified as a Master Tree Steward, contact James Nichnadowicz, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

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Please join the County of Union online at ucnj.org, on Facebook at ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter at twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholders Sergio Granados and Bette Jane Kowalski (R) present a resolution to Dr. Karen Ensle, Director of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, proclaiming March 2014 as “National Nutrition Month” in Union County.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Sergio Granados joined Bessie Stone, a nutrition aide with the Union County Nutrition Program, as she delivered lunch to senior citizens at Farley Towers in Elizabeth as part of Meals On Wheels. March is National Nutrition Month and marks the 12th annual March for Meals campaign celebrating Meals On Wheels.  The non-profit agency delivers up to 1,500 meals a day to homebound seniors and congregate dining sites in Union County. The program is primarily supported by a grant from the Union County Division on Aging, as well as donations from private sources and public organizations. If you would like to know more about the organization or are interested in volunteering or making a donation call 908-486–5100.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will sponsor a Household Special Waste Collection event on Saturday, April 12, so Union County residents can get rid of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, and automobile tires in an environmentally safe manner. The household hazardous waste collection will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, near the John H. Stamler Police Academy.

Residents of Union County are eligible to participate at no cost. Pre-registration is not required for this special Saturday collection.

“The special household waste recycling program for Union County residents is particularly important as we become more aware of the need for proper disposal of hazardous items that are found around the home,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The result of our effort is safer homes and a cleaner environment for our families and our neighbors.”

All that residents need to do is drive to the site with their household special waste, propane tanks, automobile tires, and mercury thermostats. Workers at the site will unload the vehicles.

“Household special waste” includes oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), blood pressure devices, and mercury switches. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Latex (water-based) paint and empty cans will not be accepted. They should be disposed of in with the regular garbage. Leftover latex paint can be air-dried or, to hasten the drying process, kitty litter and/or newspaper can be added to hasten the drying.

“This is a great opportunity to recycle up to eight tires and dispose of old chemical containers that are cluttering up the basement or the garage, or taking up space under the kitchen sink,” said Chairman Hudak, liaison to the Union County Solid Waste Advisory Board. “Our homes become safer once they are rid of hazardous and combustible waste.”

There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household. This is a household recycling event. No businesses, please.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on April 12 is available at the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning web site: www.ucnj.org/recycle

The household hazardous waste collection will be held rain or shine, for Union County residents only and not for businesses. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at (908) 654-9889.

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(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter and Sergio Granados present a resolution to Marilyn Coplan of Linden (4th L) congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. They are joined by Assemblywoman Linda Stender (4th R). Coplan was honored for Lifetime Community Service. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter, Sergio Granados and Freeholder Vice Chairman Mohamed Jalloh present a resolution to Kathleen DiChiara (4th L) of Summit congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. DiChiara was honored for excellence in Community Service. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter and Sergio Granados present a resolution to Trisha Espinoza of Rahway (C) congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Espinoza was honored for excellence in Women’s Advocacy. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter and Sergio Granados present a resolution to Colleen Gialanella of Scotch Plains (C) congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Gialanella was honored for excellence in Government. They are joined by Assemblywoman Linda Stender (3rd L). Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

(From left) Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Vernell Wright, Linda Carter and Sergio Granados present a resolution to Geraldine Hickey (C) of Berkeley Heights congratulating her on being honored at the Union County Commission on the Status of Women’s 22nd Annual Women of Excellence Awards dinner. Hickey was honored for excellence in Medicine/Health Care. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)