Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to celebrate Black History Month with a free, live performance of An Interview with Bessie Coleman, an exploration of the life and times of the first African-American woman to become a licensed airplane pilot and the first American to hold an international pilot license.

The interactive performance will be streamed live on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom, featuring Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Rebecca L. Williams as the special guest interviewer.

Bessie Coleman was raised on a farm and her early education took place in a one-room schoolhouse. Denied pilot training by American schools, she traveled to France to realize a lifelong dream and make her mark in the early years of aviation history.

An Interview with Bessie Coleman is presented by the acclaimed historical interpreter, actress, educator and writer Dr. Daisy Century. Dressed in an authentic bomber’s jacket, boots and scarf, Dr. Daisy Century as Bessie Coleman is an exciting portrayal of a beautiful, determined woman who knew what she wanted and made it happen.

To view An Interview with Bessie Coleman and participate on Zoom, pre-register by clicking here. The event will also be available as a livestream on Union County’s Facebook Page.

An Interview with Bessie Coleman is organized through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, and is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

For more information on all programs of the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs call (908) 558-2550, email culturalinfo@ucjnj.org, or visit online at https://ucnj.org/cultural.

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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 Commissioner Vice Chair Rebecca Williams and Commissioners Sergio Granados and Andrea Staten visited the COVID-19 Vaccination location in Plainfield, at Plainfield High School. This site opens once a week to better serve residents in the western end of the County.

Produce will be distributed on a first come-first served basis at drive-up event at Kean University.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners will hold a food distribution event for Union County residents to aid those affected by COVID-19 on Saturday, February 20th. A drive-up distribution will be held Saturday, February 20th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Kean University, located at 1000 Morris Ave in Union Township.

The food distribution is open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and no registration is required. The event will take place rain or shine.

The food distribution is being coordinated by the County of Union with support from Village Supermarket and Gargiulo Produce.

“Union County’s emergency food distributions have become a lifeline for our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to be able to continue providing this valuable resource to our residents”

“During this time as residents face unprecedented levels of unemployment, housing issues and food insecurity, we are working hard to help everyone put food on their tables,” said County Commissioner Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “We thank Village Supermarket and Gargiulo Produce for their partnership in this effort.”

Residents wishing to pick up food must arrive in a vehicle. Walk-ups will not be accommodated.

Upon arrival, proof of New Jersey residency will have to be provided. Please note that only one box of food will be provided per vehicle.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols. All drive-up recipients must remain in their cars with windows rolled up at all times, otherwise masks are required. Food boxes will be placed in the trunk or truck bed of the vehicle by volunteers.

For questions and more information, residents may call the UCDHS Director’s Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

To learn more about the Village Super Market, visit: https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com.

To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit: http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.

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.

Union County, NJ –The Union County Board of Commissioners presents a new edition of the free Virtual Saturday Series for persons with disabilities and special needs, featuring interactive fun for the whole family. The next three events in the series will each run live on either Zoom or GoToMeeting for one hour, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00: a.m., every other Saturday morning on February 20, March 6, and March 20.

The Virtual Saturday Series is hosted by the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.

“We introduced Virtual Saturdays last fall, to help special needs families continue to access entertaining and enriching programs during the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are very happy to bring it back by popular demand.”

The three upcoming events are:

• Saturday, February 20: Rizzo’s Wildlife World (on Zoom)
• Saturday, March 6: Cooking with Tony Bianchino (on GoToMeeting)
• Saturday, March 20:Magic with Simon Mandal (on Zoom)

Participation in the live, interactive series is free but pre-registration is required through Union County’s activity registration page at www.ucnj.org/opdsn-reg. Space is limited to 100 participants in each event.

Participants will receive their Zoom or GoToMeeting link a few days in advance of each event

A free recording of each event in the series will also be available to those who are unable to participate in the live event. To join the mailing list for recordings, contact Nicole DeAugustine at the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, ndeaugustine@ucnj.org.

In addition to the Virtual Saturday Series, the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs also hosts free virtual yoga, karate, and craft programs through GoToMeeting. To register visit ucnj.org/opdsn-reg. Please note that space is limited and programs fill up quickly.

The Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs is a division of the Union County Department of Human Services. For more information on all programs and services of the Office, visit online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services/opdsn.

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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Debido a la inclemencia del tiempo, la distribución de alimento programada para el martes 9 de febrero se cambiará al jueves 11 de febrero

Condado de Union, NJ – La Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Union llevará a cabo una distribución de alimentos para peatones para los residentes afectados por la pandemia del COVID-19 el jueves 11 de febrero a las  10:00 a.m. en la Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción, situada en el 417 Union Ave, Elizabeth, NJ.  Llueva o brille.

“Las distribuciones de alimentos se han convertido en un salvavidas de nuestros residentes durante este tiempo tan dificil del COVID-19,” dijo el Presidente de los Comisionados del Condado Alexander  Mirabella. “Estamos orgullosos de poder continuar proporcionado recursos a los residentes de la parte occidental del Condado de Union.”

“Los residentes continuan enfrentando niveles sin precedents  en el desempleo, asuntos de viviendas e inseguridad alimenticia, y nosotros estamos ayudando a que puedan poner comida en sus mesas,” expresó el Comisionado  Sergio Granados quien también es el Enlace con el Consejo Asesor de Servicios Humanos . Le damos las gracias  al Village Supermarket y a Gargiulo Produce por su ayuda en este esfuerzo.”

No se necesita inscripción preliminaria. La distribución de alimentos  está abierta a todos los residentes del Condado de Union. Los alimentos serán distribuidos por orden de llegada.

Al llegar deben presentar prueba de residencia de  New Jersey e indicar cuantas personas residen en su casa. Los residentes recibirán una caja de emergencia con vegetales, productos lácteos  y de perecederos  suficiente para mantener a una familia por varios días. Solamente una caja será entregada por familia.

Este evento está establecido para mantener los protocolos requeridos por el estado en cuanto a las reglas  de seguridad para evitar la contaminación del COVID-19.

Para preguntas y más información, los residentes deben llamar a la línea del Director  UCDHS  888-845-3434 o 908-558-2288.

Para información sobre el Village Super Market, visite:  https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com.  Y para  Gargiulo Produce, visite: http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires COVID-19 testing for international travel.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents applying for passports, and all residents with international travel plans, that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new rule last month to require COVID-19 testing for boarding an international flight during the pandemic.

The Office of the County Clerk assists residents with passport applications and periodically updates travelers on alerts and rule changes issued by federal agencies.

“Please avoid travel if at all possible, but if you must take an international flight be sure to check for the latest updates on COVID-19 rules, and have a backup plan ready in case you test positive for COVID-19 while out of the U.S., ” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Under the new rule, all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country must present a negative COVID-19 test, taken within three days of departure, or proof of recovery to the airline before boarding the flight.

The U.S. Department of State encourages U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents to avoid non-essential travel at this time. Those who must travel should consider purchasing medical travel insurance that covers the pandemic. Travelers should ahead for unanticipated expenses if they unexpectedly test positive while overseas.

The State Department also advises that travelers may encounter difficulty obtaining a COVID-19 test and receive the results within the three-day window. Mandatory quarantines, travel restrictions, and closed borders may create additional disruptions.

To help stay up to date on international travel rules during the pandemic, follow the State Department (@TravelGov) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Program at step.state.gov to receive alters from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

For more information on the new COVID-19 test rules visit the State Department online at travel.state.gov/C19testingOverseas. Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/COVID19travel.

To contact the Passport Offices of the Union County Clerk call 908-527-4966 for the Main Office, located at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, or call 908-654-9859 for the Annex Office, located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.

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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UNION COUNTY – The Board of County Commissioners informs all residents that the Union County Mobile Test Unit will provide free COVID-19 saliva tests on Tuesday, Feb. 9th from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, 122 East 6^th Avenue.

No car is required and no appointment is necessary. All sites are available on a walk-up basis.

“Testing has been a cornerstone in our fight against COVID-19 and we encourage all Union County residents to use this free, convenient service,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Even if you have no symptoms of illness, it is important to get tested if you feel that you may have been exposed to the virus by someone else, or are at risk of exposing others.”

Any County resident can use any of the walk-up sites. Masks and social distance are required at all times.

For more details and to view the most updated schedule online visit ucnj.org/walkup, or call 908-214-7107 for assistance.

The Mobile Test Unit also visits locations such as senior residence buildings to provide on-site testing for vulnerable populations and other groups.

Municipal governments, non-profit organizations and community groups can request a visit by calling the Union County Office of Emergency Management at 908-654-9881.

Residents are urged to continue observing precautions against spreading the virus, including wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance, and washing hands frequently.

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Due to snow this morning, today’s event has been rescheduled to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 11. The event was originally scheduled for 10:00 a.m.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners will hold a walk-up food distribution event for Union County residents to aid those affected by COVID-19 on Thursday, February 11, at 1:00 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 417 Union Avenue in Elizabeth. This is a rain or shine event.

The food distribution is being coordinated by the County of Union with support from Village Supermarket and Gargiulo Produce.

“Food distributions have become a lifeline for our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to be able to continue providing this valuable resource in 2021 to our residents.”

“Residents continue to face unprecedented levels of unemployment, housing issues and food insecurity and we are working hard to help everyone put food on their table,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados who also serves as Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “We thank Village Supermarket and Gargiulo Produce for their partnership in this effort.”

No pre-registration is required. The food distribution is open to all Union County residents. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Recipients are advised to bring a cart or wagon to convey their food by hand, and proof of New Jersey residence such as a driver’s license, utility bill, or ID card.

Each recipient will receive an emergency allotment of produce, dairy, and shelf stable food to sustain a family for several days. Please note that only one allotment will be provided per recipient.

This event will run in compliance with state COVID-19 orders, regarding social distancing and other protocols.

For questions and more information, residents may call the UCDHS Director’s Action Line at 888-845-3434 or 908-558-2288.

To learn more about the Village Super Market, visit: https://www.myvillagesupermarket.com.  

To learn more about Gargiulo Produce, visit: http://www.gargiuloproduce.com.

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.

Performance can be viewed live on Facebook and Zoom

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to celebrate Black History Month with a free, live performance of An Interview with Bessie Coleman, an exploration of the life and times of the first African-American woman to become a licensed airplane pilot and the first American to hold an international pilot license.

The performance will be streamed live on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m., on Facebook and Zoom. The event will include Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Rebecca L. Williams as the special guest interviewer.

“The experiences and accomplishments of African-Americans have defined the course of history in America for hundreds of years,” said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The County of Union is proud to support events like these as they not only demonstrate the important of Black History Month to all of us but inspire us to seek a future where racial discrimination is a thing of the past.”

“I am delighted to be taking part in An Interview with Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license. The more residents learn about the contributions of black Americans to our nation, the more aware we are of the need to continue the push towards equity and justice for all. Performances like these will help us achieve that,” said Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Williams.

Bessie Coleman overcame multiple barriers to realize a lifelong dream and make her mark in the early years of aviation history.

Bessie Coleman was born in Texas, raised on a farm, she loved school and walked four miles every day to attend a one-room all-black school through 8th grade. Working with her mother and two sisters, she did laundry, cleaned homes, picked cotton to earn money to finish school. At age 18, she enrolled in the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural Normal University, but only had enough money for one year. Traveling north to Chicago to live with her brothers, she heard stories from pilots returning from World War I and decided to become a pilot.

After applying to three American aviation schools that refused to teach her, this smart, naturally-gifted “double threat” prepared to study in France. Learning enough French to get by, she enrolled in a French school, the only black person in the class. Finishing the 10-month course in eight months, she achieved her goal.

An Interview with Bessie Coleman is presented by the acclaimed historical interpreter, actress, educator and writer Dr. Daisy Century. Dressed in an authentic bomber’s jacket, boots and scarf, Dr. Daisy Century as Bessie Coleman is an exciting portrayal of a beautiful, determined woman who knew what she wanted and made it happen. A trailblazing pilot, Coleman overcame adversity and discrimination to make history. Audience members thrill to tales of barnstorming and stunts with parachutes, and identify with a woman who risked everything to make her dream a reality.

To view An Interview with Bessie Coleman on Union County’s Facebook page, visit facebook.com/countyofunion.

To view on Zoom, pre-registration is required. The registration link is available through Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-pyzj9jDTOC4SzeVJLssUw.

On both platforms, viewers will be able to enjoy the live performance free of charge, and participate by using the chat functions.

The performance is organized through the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, and is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

Additional details about An Interview with Bessie Coleman are available at ucnj.org/black-history-month.

For more information on all programs of the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs call (908) 558-2550, email culturalinfo@ucjnj.org, or visit online at https://ucnj.org/cultural.

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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.

Produce will be distributed on a first come-first served basis at walk-up event in Plainfield.