Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2017 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program has awarded matching funds for 20 garden projects in nine different municipalities. The gardens will provide donations of fresh produce to those in need as well as education, recreation, civic service and social opportunities for gardeners and their communities.

The new round of funding follows on the success of the 2016 Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants program, an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

“This year’s group of awardees demonstrates that the community garden movement touches Union County residents of all ages and from all walks of life,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “On behalf of the Freeholder Board I wish our awardees all the best for an enriching experience and a bountiful harvest.”

The 2017 UC Means Green garden grant program is administered by the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth on behalf of Freeholder Board. Groundwork also administered the 2016 program, which covered 19 projects in 10 municipalities.

“Groundwork’s expert guidance helped to ensure a successful first year for the grant program,” said Bergen. “We’re pleased to have them on board again to administer the 2017 round of funding.”

“Many Union County residents are eager to reach out and help those in need, and community gardens provide an opportunity to participate in a service activity while also spending time out in the fresh air with friends and neighbors,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, who chairs the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. “It is especially meaningful to engage our young people in raising and donating fresh produce, both as an educational experience and because helps them to see that even at a very young age they can still have a positive impact on the health and well-being of their families and the whole community.”

To help fill the demand for educational gardens, this year Granados introduced a new community garden funding program for schools called Union County Kids Dig In. Also administered by Groundwork, the new program is funding garden projects at 32 schools.

“We are thrilled to administer UC Kids Dig In and UC Means Green on behalf of the Freeholder Board,” said Groundwork Executive Director Jonathan Phillips. “Interest in community gardening is strong all across Union County, from our cities to our suburban areas.  Growing food locally helps build healthier families, and often improves vacant and underused land for the benefit and enjoyment of local residents.”

The 2017 UC Means Green awardees are:

Elizabeth

• Make the Road New Jersey Community Garden (located at the Snyder Academy)
• Elmora Branch Library Community Garden
• E’Port Community Garden (sponsored by Prevention Links)
• I.S.C. Vera Verde (located at Portuguese Instructive Social Club)
• Jewish Family Service Community Vegetable Garden
• Elizabeth Branch Community Garden (Gateway Family YMCA)
• Trinitas Community Garden (Trinitas Hospital)

Fanwood

• Fanwood Borough Hall Pollinator and Butterfly Garden

New Providence

• New Providence Community Garden

Plainfield

• Planting Seeds Community Garden #1 (located at Mt. Zion AME Church)
• Richmond Towers Garden Club
• Grace’s Community Garden (located at Grace Episcopal Church)

Roselle

• East 1^st Avenue Garden (Community Access Unlimited)
• BT and Diane Mathis Garden (Roselle Department of Recreation)

Scotch Plains

• Brunner Children’s Garden (Howard B. Brunner School)
• Scotch Plains-Fanwood Community Garden (located on the grounds of Frazee House)

Summit

• Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Education Center Children’s Garden (Reeves-Reed Arboretum)

Union Township

• Union Township Community Garden (located at Eleanor R. Erickson Park)
• WISE Center Branch Community Garden (Gateway Family Y)

Westfield

• Westfield Food Pantry (Holy Trinity Church)

UC Means Green and UC Kids Dig In awardees become members of Groundwork’s Come Grow With Us! community garden program, which provides seedlings and other resources to its members.

“Many of our UC Means Green awardees also receive support from their local municipalities,” said Bergen. “It’s a wonderful illustration of the ways in which County funding can enhance local resources to benefit more residents.”

The Union County community garden movement is also supported by community organizations and private sector partners, and it has even attracted state and federal interest.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has partnered with Groundwork through the More PEAS permaculture initiative, resulting in the construction of more than 100 new community garden beds in Elizabeth earlier this month.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Conservation Resource Service has also begun to partner with Groundwork in of support Union County community gardens. The agency traditionally provides assistance to rural farmers. Its interest in Union County is part of a new initiative to reach urban farmers and community gardens.

Rounding out the community garden picture in Union County is the Rutgers Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden. Located by the County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, the garden has donated thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries and offers a variety of community education programs.

The Master Gardeners is an all-volunteer organization run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported by the Freeholder Board, as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national Extension system.

For quick links to Union County environmental programs and more information about the Union County Extension, visit The Green Connection.

Photo caption: An empty field behind the historic Frazee House was transformed into the Scotch Plains – Fanwood Community Garden last year with the help of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen’s Union County Means Green garden grant initiative.

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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 28th Annual Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2017 rain or shine, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Demonstration Garden complex at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.  The Fair is a project of the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County in cooperation with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. 

The Spring Garden Fair features hundreds of plants and for sale including deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant verities, and easy-to-grow vegetables, herbs and ornamentals for beginner gardeners.

“The Master Gardeners is an all-volunteer organization, and all proceeds from the sale go to fund the many service projects and activities they provide for the Union County community, said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Garden Fair is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to their work while adding color and greenery to your home, yard and neighborhood.”

Among the many highlights of the sale are heirloom tomatoes and tomato varieties ideal for containers and small gardens, hot peppers, hanging baskets and houseplants along with annual and perennial flowers for the garden.

Of special interest to tomato lovers are the Rutgers 250 and the Ramapo F1 Hybrid varieties.

The Rutgers 250 tomato is the new result from crossing the same parent varieties as the original ‘Rutgers’ tomato that was released by Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) in 1934. Rutgers 250 was selected for high fruit quality and flavor and was named in honor of the University’s 250th anniver­sary (the number of plants an individual can purchase may be limited due to demand). 

The Ramapo F1 Hybrid tomato was developed at Rutgers NJAES and first released in 1968. It was prized by gardeners for its great flavor, fruit quality, reliability, and productivity. Ramapo seed was unavailable for many years but Rutgers NJAES continued receiving requests for this popular tomato and eventually reintroduced Ramapo F-1 seeds in 2008.

Other Spring Garden Fair highlights include: 

• Free Garden Helpline clinic and Rutgers information fact sheets for gardening problems. Residents are encouraged to bring plant and insect samples for diagnosis
• Union County Division of Mosquito Control Supervisors available to answer questions
• Rutgers Soil Test Kits will be available for sale
• Square Foot Gardening display and informal presentation all day
• Free children’s activities, including making bird feeders and planting seeds. Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
• 4-H Master Tree Steward display
• Guided tours of the Demonstration Garden complex including our vegetable and herb gardens
• “The Cupcake Café” will have home-baked goods 
• Arts & Crafts table with hand painted bird house gourds grown in the garden, along with other items made by Master Gardeners
• A Gardening “Odds & Ends” table with various new and slightly used gardening items
• Applications to become a Master Gardener will be available for the new Master Gardener class starting next fall.

The Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside, in the Watchung Reservation. Free parking for the Spring Garden Fair is available in the Reservation at the Scout Camping Area, and in the parking lot at the corner of New Providence Road and Coles Avenue. Additional free parking is available in the nearby Loop playground area. Please note – no pets are allowed in the Garden Fair.

Visitors who plan to purchase plants are advised to bring a small wagon for ease of conveyance. 

Rutgers Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who assist Rutgers NJAES) in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to the general public. Anyone with an interest in gardening and a commitment to volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. 

For more information contact Judi Laganga at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office located in Westfield at 908-654-9854, visit the Extension page on the Union County website at ucnj.org/rce, or visit the Master Gardeners website at mastergardeners-uc.org. 

Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.

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

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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 residents age 16 and older can contact the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation Department for information about becoming a certified Lifeguard this summer at the Walter Ulrich Memorial Pool in Rahway.

“Generations of Union County residents have enjoyed working as lifeguards while gaining valuable experiences for college applications and resumes,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to continue offering this opportunity to residents in search of a rewarding summer experience.”

Applicants must be 16 years of age or older by completion of their training.  The starting pay is $11.00 per hour.

The 2017 season begins on June 24 and ends on September 4.

To find out about certification and physical requirements, email the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at Warinanco@ucnj.org or call 908-298-7849 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

Union County, NJ – Nine Union County municipalities received an A or A- grade in the 2017 “Best Places to Live” in New Jersey by Niche, a website that produces comprehensive rankings, report cards, and profiles for K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live.

Rounding out the top areas to live in Union County are: Westfield (A grade, ranked #14 in NJ), Summit (A grade, ranked #27 in NJ), New Providence (A grade, ranked #32 in NJ), Fanwood (A grade, ranked #46 in NJ), Berkeley Heights (A- grade, ranked #59 in NJ), Scotch Plains (A- grade, ranked #79 in NJ), Cranford (A grade, ranked #92 in NJ), Springfield Township (A- grade), and Mountainside (A-).

“On average, all Union County municipalities raked well in the “Places to Live” in New Jersey ratings, illustrating the commitment of the Freeholder Board to maintain a stable quality of life for our residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

The remaining Union County municipalities received an average rating of B (click here for complete list).

To compile the rankings, Niche considered several factors and statistics from multiple federal and local government sources such as the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources to help people better understand an area.

This year, Niche also used community reviews from residents into the rankings. The entire methodology rundown can be found here.

The results are also broken down into several categories, including best places for families, millennials and retirees as well as the top spots for safety, diversity and to buy a house.

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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 Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present Selected Paintings by adult students from the art studio of the JCC of Central NJ in Scotch Plains. The Freeholders Gallery is located on the 6^thfloor of the Union County Administration Building, Elizabethtown Plaza, in downtown Elizabeth. Gallery hours are 9 am to 5 pm, weekdays. The exhibit will be displayed through May 24, 2017.

The exhibit presents diverse acrylic works painted by Allie Cohen, Susan Ebner, Sally Fenichel, Lydia Fogelman, Arlene Klemow, Vera I. Lasser and Laura Queller, in a class taught by artist Debbie Livingston at the JCC. The students range in age from their 30s to their 70s.

Most of those whose work is displayed had little to no previous art training before taking Debbie Livingston’s class. Each session begins with a “learning to see” exercise, and provides a relaxed creative atmosphere.

Many of the paintings are presented in sets, as a series of triptychs.

“These evocative paintings reflect each artist’s own unique style and vision,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board.

The JCC offers a wide range of programs for people of all ages. For more information about the JCC of Central NJ, visit www.jccnj.org.

For further information, or to learn more about exhibiting at the Freeholders Gallery, contact 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 users may dial 711.

Residents of Union County who are 60 years of age or older are invited to register for and exhibit an original work of art completed within the last three years in the annual Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit. Entrants may be either amateur/non-professional or professional artists.

The exhibit will be held in the Atrium of the Elizabethtown Gas Company, Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue, in Union, from May 30 to July 10, 2017. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, May 17.

All participating artists are invited to attend a reception in the Atrium on Wednesday, June 7, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., including live music and refreshments. The reception is an ideal opportunity to meet other artists.

“We’re delighted by the wide array of beautiful artwork created by senior artists in our county,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.

Artwork entered will be judged by a panel of professional artists. Awards will go to first, second, third place in each category, with honorable mentions as well. First Place winners in all categories will go on to compete in September at the New Jersey State Senior Citizens Art Show in East Windsor.

Any person who meets at least two of the following criteria is considered professional: a) sold the type of art entered in the exhibition through commercial channels; b) exhibited in professional galleries for two or more years; c) had work selected in two or more juried shows; d) has held professional membership in a guild or association.

The 11 categories of eligible work are: oil painting; acrylic painting; watercolor (including gouache); pastel (including chalk, charcoal and oil pastel); drawing (including drawings with pencil, pen, ink, graphite); mixed media (combines two or more media, no one of which clearly predominates; includes collage and assemblage); printmaking (etching, engraving, lithograph, woodcut, monoprint, monotype, silkscreen, etc.); sculpture (three dimensional, carved, or constructed in any medium, abstract or figurative, painted or unpainted); craft (one-of-a-kind creations only; no kits or molds; includes jewelry and pottery); digital/computer art (art generated using software; excludes digital photography); and photography (traditional or digital).

Hanging artwork, crafts and photos may not exceed 28,’’ nor be less than 10” in any dimension, including matte and frame. Sculpture or 3-D crafts may not exceed 20” in any dimension (measurements include any base for the sculpture). All work must be properly labeled and delivered “show-ready” with screw eyes and wiring ready for hanging. Where necessary, pictures must be protected with Plexiglas, glass, Mylar or other clear material. Plexiglas is strongly recommended, and required on pieces exceeding 24 inches.

For complete details and online application form, visit www.ucnj.org/senior-art-show. To receive an application by mail or email, call Martha Sturm, Senior Arts Coordinator, at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 908-558-2550, or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Relay users dial 711. Completed applications may be: mailed to Senior Art Show, Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202; or faxed to 908-558-2652; or scanned and emailed to msturm@ucnj.org.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce  that 18 Union County municipalities have been awarded “Senior Focus” grants. Designed to support the well-being, safety and quality of life for senior adults in Union County, “Senior Focus” funding may be used for repairs and rehabilitation of senior center facilities or equipment for the centers.

“The senior population of Union County is growing, and with ‘Senior Focus’ we demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that local communities have the resources to continue improving their facilities, programs and services for seniors,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen.

“This initiative is intended to support our senior adults and provide access to services that impact their quality of life,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.

The“Senior Focus” grant made available awards of up to $25,000 to each of Union County’s 21 municipalities for capital improvements or equipment purchases to enhance their local senior center facilities. Qualifying centers must be owned by the municipality and used exclusively or primarily as a senior center. 

Examples of improvements covered under the grant include ADA access improvements, repairs to or replacement the roof, plumbing and electrical upgrades, and site improvements.

In addition to capital projects, examples of acceptable equipment purchases could include computers/printers, stereos and headphones, and PA systems. The grant program was funded through a combination of County Capital and CDBG funds.

Offered as part of Chairman Bergen’s “Year of the Senior” 2016 initiatives, the new “Senior Focus” program (the last one was offered in 2002) complemented the recently completed “Seniors in Motion” program, which provided vans for senior transportation to the County’s municipalities.

Here is a list of towns that are receiving the grants, and what the money will be used for:

Municipality	Amount	Projected Project
Clark	$25,000	Senior Fitness Equipment
Cranford	$18,462	Bingo System, PA System and 8 Surface Pro Computers
Elizabeth	$24,293	27 Computers
Fanwood	$25,000	Roof, Windows, Window Coverings, PA System, iPad, Microwave
Garwood	$25,000	Roof Repair and PA System
Hillside	$25,000	Exterior Repairs Replace Handicap Ramp
Kenilworth	$23,400	4 doors Retrofit 2 doors Replaced
Linden	$24,000	Ramp Update, Automatic Doors
Mountainside	$25,000	Flooring, Seating, Computer, TV
New Providence	$15,500	100 Chairs, 8 Club Chairs, PA System, Copier
Plainfield	$25,000	Senior Fitness Equipment, Flooring, Sewing machines
Rahway	$25,000	Roof
Roselle	$25,000	Lavatory Upgrades, Parking Lot Lighting, Ice Maker, Ceiling Tiles
Roselle Park	$25,000	Roof
Scotch Plains	$25,000	Bocce Court, Outdoor Seating, PA System, Ceiling Tiles, Chairs, Fitness Equipment, Signage, Tables
Springfield	$25,000	Fitness Equipment, Audio Visual Equipment, Computers
Summit	$25,000	Senior Lounge
Union	$25,000	Senior Center Roof
Total	$430,655

 

UNION COUNTY—Union County residents seeking information about services for seniors age 60 and older can attend any of six Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) events in April to speak with experienced staff from the county’s Department of Human Services, Division on Aging. The ASK events will be held in Clark, Westfield, Fanwood, Mountainside, Linden, and Union.

“The ASK program brings our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff to convenient locations throughout Union County, to reach more residents with helpful resources,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is based in Elizabeth.

The ASK community outreach program provides for members of the staff to travel throughout Union County to help connect residents with information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

The ASK program also enables residents to obtain assistance with completing applications and forms at convenient locations.

The May 2017 dates and locations will be:

All Union County residents are welcome to attend any of these ASK events.

The mission of the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act.  The division has information printed in both English and Spanish.

“The ADRC model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and the disabled,” said Chairman Bergen. “These services can enable seniors and the disabled to remain in their homes and communities.”

Check for the upcoming schedule of stops for an ASK kiosk coming near you as dates and locations are posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For further information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: -1-888-280-8226 or 908-527- 4870 or 4858 or visit the Union County government website at www.ucnj.org.

Union County proudly invites families to lace up your sneakers for field day events at the County’s first Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, celebrating marriage equality in the State of New Jersey, on Saturday, June 17 at Rahway River Park in Rahway from Noon until 4:00 p.m. with the family-friendly field day competition starting at 2:00 p.m.

“All families are invited to join LGBTQ family equality advocates and allies from throughout the state to come out to the park and celebrate family and marriage equality,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is proud to include activities for family members of all ages to join in the day of fun and celebration.”

During Union County’s first Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic, right in the middle of all the music, arts and crafts, bounce house fun and bubble fun, field day favorites will be taking over the outfield at Rahway River Park by red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple family teams.

A great way to make new friends and share a ton of laughs with family, registration for the family-friendly field day competition is open now through Monday, June 5^th. Register today at ucnj.org/pride.

Teams will be announced on the day of the event. Participating families will be grouped by color (red team, orange team, yellow team, green team, blue team, purple team) – teams will be made up of several families. Each team will participate in each activity, such as the three-legged race and the egg relay. Ranked first through sixth, the team with the lowest score at the end of the day will bring home the rainbow. 

Please note that registration is not required to attend the Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic and participate in the day’s activities – registration is only requested to participate in the field day family-friendly competition so that teams may be formed.

This free family-friendly event invites LGBTQ family equality advocates and allies from all over the Garden State to come out to the park and celebrate the strength of our diversity, and to honor the great strides we’ve made in the movement for equality.

In 2013, New Jersey became the 16th state with marriage equality, granting same-sex couples the security of marriage in New Jersey. Since the federal marriage equality ruling in 2015, thousands of same-sex couples have married state-wide and across state lines. Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the free Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event aims to reach beyond the Union County borders and invites all families across the state to join us to celebrate family and marriage equality.

A celebration of all families, Union County’s first Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic will feature music, arts and crafts, family field day team games, inflatable bounce houses, playground fun, and many other family activities. A family equality rally will kick off at 1:00 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances. Esteemed children’s music band, Michael and the Rockness Monsters will close out the day’s celebration with a live family concert in the park. So pack a picnic and head out to the park!

Families are invited to visit the vendor and resource tables for giveaways and information. Equality and family advocacy organizations will also set up tables alongside the Freeholder Board Information van with general information, and support and networking resources.

For more information visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the UC Family PRIDE CommUNITY Picnic event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Office of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

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The Freeholder Board is pleased to announce a new round of jobs being offered for County residents through the Union Workforce Innovation Business Center. Francesca’s Collection, a boutique store at the Jersey Gardens Mall is hiring for 20 positions. For more information, please click on the flier or call 908-355-4444.