Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – This summer, the Union County 4-H program is offering students the opportunity to grow their very own “Pizza Garden” and improve their gardening abilities, too.

“By combining hands-on learning with remote instruction, this gardening project provides Union County students with an enriching experience all summer long, said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are very proud to support the 4-H program here in our community.”

The Union County 4-H program is part of a national initiative aimed at providing youth with opportunities to learn, lead, and share their knowledge. Union County 4-H is run through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, with support from the Commissioner Board.

Each participant in the Pizza Garden project will receive a starter kit consisting of a container stocked with oregano and basil seedlings to plant at home, along with a marigold seedling for decoration.

The program also includes a series of free, optional biweekly virtual meetings. Participants will learn how to care for their seedlings, hone their hone their gardening skills, improve their presentation skills, and complete community service.

The series of meetings will begin on June 18 and conclude in August with a harvest contest among the participants.

• Students in grades k-3 will meet for one hour on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Students in grades 4 and up will meet for one hour on the first Monday and third Friday of each month, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

A limited number of pizza garden starter kits are available free of charge. To request a pizza garden, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

Union County students who are interested in joining 4-H can choose from a wide variety of clubs, from archery, Lego robotics, and anime to cooking, coding, and gardening. Students can also explore a topic of their own choosing.

During the school year, 4-H clubs meet approximately once each month from October to June. In-person clubs were suspended for the 2020-2021 school year due to COVID-19 safety rules, and new online activities are available. To find out more, visit the 4-H at Home program, nj4h.rutgers.edu/4h-from-home.

The Union County 4-H offices are located at the Cooperative Extension of Union County, in the Colleen Frasier Building at the Union County Complex, at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. For more information on how to join Union County 4-H, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

For more information about all Extension programs in Union County, including the popular Master Gardeners and Master Tree Stewards volunteer programs, visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County online at ucnj.org/rce.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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First 100% recyclable baseball turf in the state of New Jersey now open at Snyder Avenue Park

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners held a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday for the new turf baseball field at Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights.

The ceremony was attended by County and local officials as well as residents and the baseball teams from Governor Livingston High School and Bayonne High School. Immediately following the ceremony, Governor Livingston played Bayonne in a scheduled regular season match.

“The Board of Commissioners is proud of all the work done here at the Snyder Avenue Park Baseball field. This the first baseball field of its kind in the State of New Jersey and in the tri-state area,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Board of County Commissioners is proud to provide high quality, state of the art facilities such as this one to our athletes across Union County.”

The new turf baseball field is comprised of sustainable turf that can be 100% recycled. Components of the organic turf system, which include walnut shells and coconut, are of the same type currently being used in 4 major league baseball stadiums. The turf system has specific turf for each performance area of the field.

Performance levels for the new turf field have been tested and provide levels very close to natural grass, similar to the best synthetic turf fields that are currently available. The shock pad and infill can be reused in the next field.

The design, materials and installation of the turf field cost approximately $2.8 million. The design was engineered by Neglia Engineering Associates of Mountainside. The LandTek Group coordinated the construction and Shaw Sports Turf supplied the turf material. Installation was done by Athletic Fields of America.

For information about the baseball field at Snyder Avenue Park and other offerings within the Union County Parks system, residents can visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/ or call 908-527-4900.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Rumours, will headline the next drive-in concert in the County’s free music series.

The drive-in concert event is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 at 6:00 pm at the Union County Vo-Tech campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

The event is free but registration is required online in advance to reserve a spot. Registration opens up at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 4, online at ucnj.org/reserve.

Please note that space is limited and reservations are on a first come, first served basis.

“Rumours is known for their exciting stage show, finely crafted sound and attention to detail. We are very happy to welcome them to Union County,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Rumours is known worldwide for their live reenactments of the legendary Fleetwood Mac band. Coined as the “best Fleetwood Mac cover band,” Rumours has sold out some of the top venues in the United States.

The free drive-in event is part of Union County’s seasonal series of outdoor concerts. The drive-in format has been adopted during the pandemic in order to help prevent the virus from spreading.

Food and drinks will not be available for purchase, but attendees may bring their own refreshments. Alcohol is strictly prohibited.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 guidelines regarding social distancing and other protocols. To help promote social distancing, no walk-ups, bikes, or chairs are permitted. Vehicles will be arranged at least 6 feet apart with adequate social distancing.

Port-o-johns will be available. Masks will be required when using the port-o-johns. Attendees must stay in their vehicles (unless they need to use the port-o-johns).

Further details will be available to residents upon reserving tickets.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – One-of-a-kind, dynamic, and electric are all accurate when describing the 80’s tribute band, Rubix Kube. Union County residents can see Rubix Kube perform live at the Union County Vo-tech Schools campus in Scotch Plains on Saturday, June 5. The special Pride Month event includes free “PRIDE in a Box” giveaways to share as Rubix Kube channels the energy of the 80’s through the icons of pop music.

The show begins at 6:00 with an opening performance by the hilarious Amy Colon, a Union County native. Get ready to laugh your socks off!

Admission is free but attendees must register to reserve a spot by visiting ucnj.org/reserve.

The show is part of Union County’s series of free drive-in concerts presented by the Commissioner Board, specially arranged for residents to enjoy live music in a community setting while preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. More details are available at the registration link, ucnj.org/reserve.

More information: https://wp.me/p4sLwl-nkF

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – In a world-spanning career, Esperanza Spalding has created a musical and artistic identity like none other. Union County residents will have the opportunity to experience Spalding’s unique vision in a free, live, drive-in concert this Friday evening, June 4, at the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus in Scotch Plains.

Mentored by the legendary jazz trumpeter Thara Memory, Spalding cites jazz bassists Ron Carter and Dave Holland, Wayne Shorter, Milton Nascimento, Madonna, Ornette Coleman, and Joni Mitchell among the influences that have shaped her richly mesmerizing style.

Admission is free but registration online is required in order to reserve a spot, at ucnj.org/reserve.

The show is part of Union County’s series of free drive-in concerts presented by the Commissioner Board, specially arranged for residents to enjoy live music in a community setting while preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. More details are available at the registration link, ucnj.org/reserve.

Spalding’s current project is the forthcoming opera Iphigenia in collaboration with Wayne Shorter, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz with sets by the architect and scenic designer Frank Gehry. For more information visit http://igg.me/at/iphigenia.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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By Alexander Mirabella

Chairman, Union County Board of Commissioners

June is PRIDE month, and Union County is presenting a series of inclusive events that help build awareness, alliances, and action on LGBTQ+ equality in our community, and beyond.

We kicked off the month with the raising of the PRIDE flag on June 1, at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The flag-raising ceremony program included a Pride Month Proclamation and an inspiring original writing by local student Jeremiah LaPorte.

In celebration of PRIDE month, the band Rubix Kube, accompanied by comedian Amy Colon, will be the next performers at our free drive-in concert in Scotch Plains on June 5. Rubix Kube is known as the ultimate 80s tribute band and will perform some of the most celebrated anthems of the LGBTQ+ community. Reserve your free admission now before all the spots are taken, at ucnj.org/reserve.

On June 9, join host Micayla Mirabella for Queer Empowerment Hour, our series of online virtual conversations with some of New Jersey’s most dedicated LGBTQ+ advocates, community leaders, and allies. We will be discussing how PRIDE came to be and where it is now, here in 2021. To learn more about the program and to get a Zoom link, please visit the Office of LGBTQ Affairs at ucnj.org/lgbtq.

For high school LGBTQ youth, as well as allies, on June 19 we are offering Let Me Be Me, an LGBTQ+ youth empowerment field day. Let Me Be Me will take place on the turf field at the Warinanco Sports Center in Warinanco Park, in Roselle. Student ID will be required. Pre-registration is also required by emailing Danni Newbury at DNewbury@ucnj.org.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World will be the featured movie for our free Family Movie Night series on June 25 at the Union County Vo-tech campus in Scotch Plains. Registration for the event will begin shortly, at ucnj.org/reserve.

To close off PRIDE month, on June 30 we will host a fun LGBTQ+ trivia night at the Clubhouse, at Union County’s Ash Brook Golf in Scotch Plains. To register yourself or your team, please visit the Office of LGBTQ Affairs at ucnj.org/lgbtq

The Commissioner Board established the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs to provide a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and to serve as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. For more information, please contact Danni Newbury, Office Coordinator, at dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit online at ucnj.org/lgbtq.

Let us all continue to reach out, connect with one another, and support equality and inclusion throughout the Union County community.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners invites all residents and members of the public to attend a series of virtual public meetings and provide commentary on the County’s ongoing plans for retrofitting County buildings and parking lots in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The meetings will be held on Wednesday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m., and on Thursday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m.

All three meetings will be conducted on Zoom. Each session will last 75 minutes and can accommodate 100 attendees.

“Input from the public is a significant contributor to Union County’s ongoing efforts to improve access and inclusion across all facilities,” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We encourage everyone to participate and help identify obstacles and opportunities as we continue to make progress on ADA compliance in our community.”

The meetings will cover a transition plan for Union County developed by the consulting firm WT Group Accessibility Practice. The scope of work includes buildings and parking lots, including the County Courthouse, the Administration Building, the Warinanco Sports Center, and the Trailside Museum and Science Center among others. Please note that recreation programs are not included in the scope of work.

During the meetings, WTG will:

• Review key ADA requirements for parks facilities
• Discuss the importance of community feedback in establishing retrofit priorities
• Share observations of common access barriers viewed at County of Union facilities
• Ask for the access preferences and priorities of the members of the public in attendance, regarding facilities
• Close with a discussion about next steps for the County of Union

To register for a meeting, use the following Zoom links:

• June 9, 2021 @ 2:00 p.m. Registration: (http://bit.ly/adasession1)
• June 9, 2021 @ 6:30 p.m. Registration: (http://bit.ly/adasession2)
• June 10, 2021 @ 10:30 a.m. Registration: (http://bit.ly/adasession3)

For additional information contact Manny Ramirez, Director, Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs at 908-527-4807 or mramirez@ucnj.org., or visit online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services/opdsn.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to invite residents of Union County, age 60 or older, to enter the Union County 2021 Senior Citizens Virtual Art Exhibit. Amateurs, non-professionals and working professional artists alike may enter one original artwork completed within the past three years.

The deadline to enter is August 23. Artists must enter online at ucnj.org/senior-art and submit a digital image of their artwork by the deadline. The virtual exhibit opens on September 30.

“The Commissioner Board is very proud to provide this opportunity for senior artists to connect with the Union County community and share their creativity and vision of the world,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

The media categories for entries are: acrylic painting, craft, digital art, mixed media, oil painting, pastel, printmaking, photography, sculpture, watercolor painting, and works on paper (drawing).

The Senior Art Exhibit is an annual program presented and coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. All artworks entered will be judged by an independent panel of professional artists. Separate awards are given to professionals and non-professionals in each media category.

First-place entries will go on to the state level, in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show, also being held online this fall.

For complete information and instructions for submitting work, and to register, please visit the Union County website at ucnj.org/senior-art.

To receive instructions by email or U.S. Postal Service, call 908-558-2550, email msturm@ucnj.org, or write to:

Martha Sturm

Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs

633 Pearl Street

Elizabeth, NJ 07202

Seniors who do not have Internet access can have a relative or friend with an email address assist and register them.

Staff at the Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is also available to provide assistance to seniors without email access. For assistance, call 908-527-2550 or visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation/cultural-heritage-affairs.

The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is a division of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation. For information on all Parks and Recreation programs and events, visit ucnj.org/parks-recreation or call 908-527-4900.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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Union County recognizes the contributions of small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Union County Small Business Community Champion recognition program. Businesses that are nominated for the program will receive a certificate of achievement and will be featured on the Union County Means Business website, ucnj.org/union-county-means-business.

“Small businesses have faced extraordinary challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but many have managed to survive, to continue serving the Union County community, and even to thrive,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These resilient small businesses deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated.”

Any member of the Union County community can nominate an eligible small business in their community to be recognized as a Union County Small Business Community Champion, by filling out the online form at ucnj.org/union-county-means-business.

To be eligible, nominees must have a small business located within Union County that is currently open for business. In addition, they must demonstrate resilience during the pandemic, either by adapting and evolving their business model or giving back to the community, or both.

Supporting documentation must include:

• A photograph of the nominated business for publication.
• A paragraph describing the nominee’s resiliency story, including changes to their business model and/or community service activities

The deadline to submit a nomination is July 31, and the recognized businesses will be posted at ucnj.org/union-county-means-business in August.

For additional information, contact Deana Mesaros, Coordinator, Office of Business Development in the Union County Department of Economic Development, at 908-659-7412 or dmesaros@ucnj.org, or visit online at ucnj.org/office-of-business-development.

To see all programs and activities of the Union County Department of Economic Development, visit ucnj.org/department-of-economic-development.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Union County COVID-19 Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners advises residents that due to forecasted inclement weather, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Disc Golf Course at Oak Ridge Park in Clark has been rescheduled. The ribbon cutting will now take place on Monday, June 7 at 12:00 p.m. Oak Ridge Park is located at 136 Oak Ridge Road.

“We are always looking for ways to provide County residents with new opportunities to engage in outdoor activities,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Disc golf is becoming a popular all-ages sport and we are happy provide our community with this facility right here in Union County.”

The concept for a disc golf course was presented to the Commissioner Board by the Union County Disc Golf Club. The disc golf equipment cost just over $6,500. Installation was performed by the Union County Parks Department with assistance on design and coordination done by the UCDGC. The new disc golf course is comprised of 18 holes as well as one practice basket.

The course is free to use. No reservations are required for use but players should consult the County website and the kiosk located at the course for information regarding closures due to events in the park.

Disc golf is played much like golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, though, players use a flying disc. The sport was formalized in the 1970s and shares with golf the object of completing each hole in the fewest strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest throws).

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) is a membership-based organization boasting more than 120,000 lifetime members across 54 countries. The PDGA is also the governing body for the sport and sanctions competitive events for players of every skill level. There are more than 8,000 disc golf courses worldwide, with more being installed every day.

For more information on disc golf, residents can visit: https://www.pdga.com/.

For information about the disc golf facility at Oak Ridge Park and other offerings within the Union County Parks system, residents can visit https://ucnj.org/parks-recreation/ or call 908-527-4900.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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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.