Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds income-eligible senior residents age 60 and over that they can apply for a total of $25 in free vouchers to purchase fresh produce. The vouchers may be used only at Farmer’s Markets in Union County that display a yellow and black WIC sign.

“Farmer’s Markets are a feature of community life throughout Union County in the summertime,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This program helps seniors on a tight budget enjoy a seasonal activity and connect with their neighbors, while experiencing the nutritional benefits of fresh produce.”

The vouchers may be obtained by visiting a designated distribution site scheduled in June and July.

As a convenience, farmers offering produce for sale will also be present at some of the voucher distribution sites, which are as follows:

Monday, June 25

Liberty Square Senior Center

240 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth

Vouchers 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Wednesday July 2

Casano Community Center

314 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park

Vouchers 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Wednesday, July 11

Golden Age Towers

200-220 East Milton Avenue, Rahway

Vouchers 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon

Farmer will be at this site

Friday, July 13

Warinanco Sports Center (located in Warinanco Park)

698 Thompson Avenue, Roselle

Vouchers 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Monday, July 16

Ann Ferguson Towers

1601 Dill Avenue, Linden

Vouchers 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 am

Farmer will be at this site

Thursday, July 19

Peterstown Community Center

408 Palmer Street, Elizabeth

Vouchers 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Monday, July 23

O’Donnell-Dempsey Senior Center

622 Salem Avenue, Elizabeth

Vouchers 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Farmer will be at this site

Wednesday, July 25

Plainfield Senior Center

400 East Front Street, Plainfield

Vouchers 10:00 am to 12 noon

Farmer will be at this site

To be eligible, a single person’s annual income cannot exceed $22,459 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $30,451. Applicants must present proof of age, residency and income.

The Farmer’s Market voucher program supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative.

For more information about the voucher program and other services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection call 888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737, or visit online at ucnj.org.

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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.

Please note: due to the weather forecast, tonight’s concert originally located at Echo Lake Park is now MOVED INDOORS to the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center, at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway.

Come an enjoy an evening with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at this beautifully restored 1920’s era former vaudeville hall. Concert begins at 7:30 sharp (sorry, no yoga tonite).

Info about the Union County Performing Arts Center:http://www.ucpac.org/

Union County, NJ – The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra kicks off Union County’s 57^th annual Summer Arts Festival series of free outdoor concerts sponsored by the Freeholder Board with an evening of Broadway favorites, beloved opera overtures and more on Friday June 22nd at 7:30 p.m. at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

Attendees are also invited to bring a mat or beach towel and join in a free Union County Get Fit Yoga program beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“What a great way to kick off our summer of music with New Jersey’s own Orchestra bringing live symphonic music to our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We encourage our residents to enjoy the music under the stars, and a memorable night of classical entertainment.”

The Union County Summer Arts Festival series with Get Fit Yoga continues at Echo Lake Park on Wednesday nights in July:

July 11: Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)

July 18: 5 Against 1 (Tribute to Pearl Jam)

July 25: The Vinny’s / Katfish Lucy

In August the series moves to Oak Ridge Park in Clark:

August 1: JoBonanno & the Godsons of Soul

August 8: American Rapture

August 15: Brother John Brown (The Woodstock Era)

August 22: Dead On Live (The Grateful Dead Experience)

For more details on the Summer Arts series, the Family Flix free outdoor movie series, and more summer activities in Union County Parks visit ucnj.org/parks-activities.

For more information about the New Jersey Symphony orchestra visit njsymphony.org.

 

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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 Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that plastic bags and other excluded items cannot be recycled through their local curbside pick-up programs.

“Union County residents have a good recycling rate compared to other counties in our state, and we want to improve on this record and set a high bar,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Every household can pitch in by following some simple guidelines that help our local recyclers operate more efficiently, especially when it comes to keeping excluded items out of the recycling stream.”

In particular, Chairman Granados noted that plastic bags are prohibited in all curbside pickup programs.

“As a matter of convenience some residents use plastic bags to carry cans, bottles and other items to the curbside, but that interferes with the recycling process and contaminates the recycling stream,” said Granados.  “Items should always be put directly into bins, without the bag.”

Plastic bags can be recycled through a designated retailer, such as a local supermarket or department store. To search for a convenient drop-off site, use the free location finder at plasticfilmrecycling.org.

Chairman Granados also reminded residents to be alert for changes in recycling guidelines.

“Efficient recycling programs must follow market trends for raw materials, so it is not unusual for the guidelines to change occasionally,” he said. “It’s always a good idea to check with your local program to make sure you’re up to date.”

Common items that are currently accepted by local recycling programs include:

• Plastic bottles and containers that are coded with #1 or #2 on the bottom.
• Aluminum and steel (tin) cans and lids.
• All sizes, shapes and colors of glass bottles and jars.
• Corrugated cardboard boxes such as cereal and clean pizza boxes; and milk, juice and fruit cartons.
• All mixed paper, including newspapers, magazines, junk mail, catalogs and phone books may be recycled. The exception is pre-shredded paper. Residents who need secure shredding for personal documents can use Union County’s free mobile shredding events.

The following items CANNOT be recycled at curbside:

• Plastic bags or other plastic film.
• Styrofoam — check your municipality for drop-off location, if any.
• Dishware, glass and mirrors — can be thrown in regular garbage.
• Dirty pizza boxes — no leftover food or grease can be included.
• Shredded paper – bring personal documents to a free mobile shredding event.
• Pots, pans and small appliances – check with your municipality for scrap metal drop-off location, if any.
• Plastic containers and plastic ware.

For more information on local and countywide recycling programs, FAQs about curbside recycling and a list of municipal recycling coordinators, visit the Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning at 908-654-9890 or online at ucnj.org/recycling.

Recycling supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for building participation in recycling countywide and engaging the public in conservation and environmental education.

The Freeholder Board also encourages residents to sign up for Recycle Coach, a free app that makes it easier to stay up to date about countywide recycling information and municipal recycling schedules.

More information on the Recycle Coach app can be found at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs can be found at ucnj.org/green-connection.

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.

 

$134,600 distributed to 15 municipalities across Union County

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that 15 municipalities have received a total of $134,600 in Recycling Enhancement Grants. The grant program, which aims at improving local recycling rates, is administered by Union County with funding from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

“Union County is proud to partner with our municipal governments to conserve resources and protect the environment, by providing the equipment and infrastructure that helps our residents send more waste into the recycling stream,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

To receive a Recycling Enhancement Grant, applicants must submit detailed plans that fit specific requirements for promoting recycling and protecting the environment.

The projects that received funding include infrastructure improvements to public recycling centers, and new recycling bins or storage containers for schools, parks, train stations and other public facilities.

The municipalities that received funding from the 2018 Recycling Enhancement Grant program are:

Berkeley Heights: $7,200

Clark – $10,000

Cranford – $7,500

Elizabeth – $10,000

Hillside – $7,600

Kenilworth – $9,000

Linden – $9,500

New Providence – $10,000

Rahway – $10,000

Roselle – $10,000

Scotch Plains – $7,800

Springfield – $6,000

Summit – $10,000

Union Township – $10,000

Westfield – $10,000

Total: $134,600

The grants support the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for engaging and the public in conservation and environmental education.

The Freeholder Board is also encouraging all residents to sign up for “Recycle Coach,” a free app that makes it easier to stay up to date about countywide recycling information and municipal recycling schedules. More information on the Recycle Coach app can be found at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

For more details on all upcoming recycling events, and contact information for municipal recycling coordinators, visit ucnj.org/recycling.

Quick links to all Union County environmental programs can be found at https://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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that trained counselors at NJ Hopeline will provide confidential, anonymous guidance for people who may be having suicidal thoughts, or who know someone at risk.

NJHopeline may be contacted 24/7 by phone at 855-654-6735 or by live chat at njhopeline.com.

In addition, Union County residents can contact the County’s Behavioral Health office during regular business hours at 908-527-4846 for information on local resources for counseling and treatment.

“The recent deaths of designer Kate Spade and chef Anthony Bourdain remind us that anyone, at any stage or station of life, can be overwhelmed by their circumstances,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “If you have the warning signs of suicide, or if you know someone who has these signs, please reach out to NJ Hopeline, or to anyone who can offer help.”

Common warning signs of suicide include talking about feeling trapped, hopeless or in unbearable pain; researching ways to kill oneself, such as obtaining a gun; and behavior changes involving sleep habits, drugs, alcohol or mood swings.

Behavioral Health is part of the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning. More information is available at ucnj.org/departments/human-services.

NJ Hopeline is administered by Rutgers University Behavior Health Care, a member of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The  Lifeline may be contacted for help at 1-800-273-8255.

Photo credit: by Jeff Turner/flickr.

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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.