Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County residents and visitors are invited to attend a free screening of the documentary Home is a Human Right: 6 Stories of Immigration on Tuesday April 23 at 7:00 p.m., at the North Avenue Academic Building of Kean University, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township. The free event is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity in partnership with the YWCA of Union County through its Stand Against Racism campaign (https://standagainstracism.org/).

Agencies that offer services in support of undocumented refugees and immigrants will also be on-site before and after the screening to offer resources and guidance.

“Home is a Human Right focuses a sharp lens on the threats that refugees and immigrants face in their home countries and here in the U.S.,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It also provides informed, effective guidance for people who want to take action in support of human rights and protection for undocumented neighbors in our community.”

Home is a Human Right is seeks to highlight the human story of immigrants pursuing better lives in the middle of conflict by exploring the growing complexities of immigration in the United States. The series touches upon topics like DACA, refugees, sanctuary cities, medical care for undocumented immigrants and the plight of immigrant students. Details on the 6 short films can be found at https://www.bravenewfilms.org/home_is_human.

Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in America. The screening of Home is a Human Right supports the 2019 Stand Against Racism campaign theme, “Immigrant Justice: No Hate. No Fear.”

The movie screening will be followed by two speakers and a discussion. The featured speakers are:

• Victor Salama – Executive Director of First Friends of NJ & NY
• Sara Cullinane, Esq. – State Director of Make the Road NJ

The event is co-sponsored by Community Access Unlimited, Union County Interfaith Coordinating Council, Family Promise Union County, The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, and St. Joseph Social Service Center

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator, Union County Office of Community Engagement & Diversity by email at nahernandez@ucnj.org or by phone at 908-527-4880.

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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.Stand Against Racism 2019 Flyer

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce Union County PRIDE 2019, scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m. at Rahway River Park in Rahway. Admission is free to this inclusive and affirming celebration of family, equality, diversity and empowering acceptance.

All are welcome to pack a picnic, a blanket or lawn chairs and head out to the park for an afternoon of fun.

“Union County PRIDE brings families in the diverse LGBTQ community together with all families who value inclusion and acceptance,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “This annual celebration is our signature event for demonstrating that our community is one of equal rights and respect for all families.”

Union County PRIDE 2019 will include a full schedule of entertainment and activities including PRIDE-themed arts and crafts, family lawn games, inflatable bounce houses, playground fun, and many other family activities.

An Equality Rally featuring New Jersey’s own Drag Queen Harmonica Sunbeam as emcee will kick off at 2:30 p.m. with special guest speakers and performances.

Throughout the event, LGBTQ advocacy and ally organizations will be on site with information and educational materials, as well as support and networking resources.

“Pride events make a difference,” said Freeholder Rebecca Williams, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “In addition to celebrating diversity, they raise awareness of existing inequalities and provide a platform to support legislation and civic action. I am very proud of my colleagues on the Freeholder Board for inaugurating Union County’s first PRIDE event in 2017, and continuing to support it every year.”

Union County PRIDE 2019 is organized by Union County’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Office of LGBTQ Affairs, under the Department of Economic Development, was established by the Freeholder Board in 2018 and is the first and only county government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey and offers a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves 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 about the Office of LGBTQ Affairs, contact Danni Newbury, Coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/LGBTQ.

For more information about Union County PRIDE 2019 visit ucnj.org/Pride, or find the Union County PRIDE 2019 event page at Facebook.com/CountyOfUnion, or call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900.

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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 – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds candidates for elected office to be aware of upcoming petition deadlines and filing procedures.

“For the June 4 primary, the Democratic and Republican candidates for countywide office — Freeholder and Surrogate — must file their petitions with my office by 4:00 p.m. on April 1,” said Ms. Rajoppi.

Democratic and Republican candidates for municipal office, and candidates for the Democratic County Committee, must file their petitions with their municipal clerk. That deadline is also April 1 at 4:00 p.m.

Independent candidates for countywide and municipal offices must file their petitions with the Union County Clerk. The deadline for Independent petitions is 4:00 p.m. on Primary Day, June 4.

The County Clerk’s 2019 Election Date Guide that lists all candidate deadlines is available on the website unioncountyvotes.com and on the free UC Votes mobile app for iPhone and Androids.

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

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Union County, NJ – A new hydroponic garden funded by Union County has been brightening up the winter months at the Richmond Terrace senior housing apartments in Plainfield. The new garden was funded through the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Green community garden grant program.

“The hydroponic garden brings the residents of Richmond Tower together and engages them with indoor activities during a time of year when getting outside can be difficult,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “It is very gratifying to see the Union County Means Green grant program continue to produce fresh vegetables and contribute to the community throughout the year.”

The Freeholder Board launched the Union County Means Green grant program in 2016, to help more residents experience the benefits of growing fresh produce. In addition to improved nutrition, vegetable gardening provides opportunities for social activities, recreation, education and community service.

Union County Means Green provides funds for traditional soil-based gardens, including waist-high beds that accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. The grant program also covers hydroponic gardens and other innovative approaches to urban gardening.

Members of the Richmond Towers Garden Club tend the hydroponic garden. They will harvest the new crop of Tuscan kale and Butterhead lettuce, and distribute it to other residents.

During the outdoor growing season, the Garden Club also donates vegetables from several raised bed garden plots on the grounds of the housing complex.

Any Union County municipality or local nonprofit organization is welcome to apply for a UC Means Green grant. Applications are still open for the 2019 Union County Means Green grant cycle. The deadline is Tuesday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m.

For more details and a downloadable application form, visit Union County at ucnj.org/ garden-grants.

Union County Means Green is administered on behalf of the Freeholder Board by the nonprofit organization Groundwork Elizabeth. For more information contact Groundwork at 908-289-0262 or info@groundworkelizabeth.org.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs visit The Green Connection, 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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite all residents of Union County, age 60 or older, to register for the Union County Senior Citizens Art Exhibit. Qualifying works of art will be on display at the Atrium of Liberty Hall Center at 1085 Morris Avenue in Union from May 28 to July 8, and the artists will be guests at a special awards reception at the Atrium in June.

The deadline to register is Wednesday, May 15.

“Each year the Senior Art Exhibit provides older residents with an opportunity to share their view of the world through the work of their hands,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “We are proud to support this program, which helps to connect the different generations in our community and build an appreciation for the skills and insights of senior artists.”

The Senior Art Exhibit is an annual program presented and coordinated by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs. Artists at any level of skill or experience are invited to register, including amateurs, non-professionals and working professionals. To qualify, the artwork must have been created within the past three years and must be an original creation of the artist.

Registrants can submit art in a variety of categories: acrylic painting, oil painting, watercolor, pastel, works on paper (drawing), photography, digital art (excluding digital photography), mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and craft.

All artworks entered will be judged by a panel of professional artists. In each art category, separate awards will be given to professionals and non-professionals. First-place winners in all categories will go on to compete in September at the state level in the New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Show in East Windsor.

For complete information and online registration, visit the Union County website at ucnj.org/senior-art-show.

To receive a brochure with complete instructions and a registration form by mail or email, call Martha Sturm, Senior Arts Coordinator, at the Union County Office of Cultural and HeritagFe Affairs, 908-558-2552, or email culturalinfo@ucnj.org. Relay users dial 711.

Completed applications may be mailed to Senior Art Exhibit, Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202, faxed to 908-558-2652, or scanned and emailed to msturm@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.

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Photo caption: Precious by senior artist Florence McGlohn of Roselle was awarded Best of Show by a Non-Professional at the 2018 Union County Senior Art Exhibit.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and business owners that free countywide scrap metal recycling drop-off locations are open twice a month beginning on April 4, at the service yard in Rahway River Park and at the Emergency Services Building in Cranford.  

A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, are included in the program.

“This countywide program helps to ensure that everyone in Union County has access to free scrap metal recycling,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling and conserving resources.”

The scrap metal recycling program is available for use by households, commercial establishments, nonprofit agencies and other organizations.

The two locations are available for drop-off on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month, from April through November, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.   

Scrap metal from any municipality within Union County may be brought to either of the two drop-off locations:

• Cranford: Emergency Services Building, 151 Kenilworth Boulevard.
• Rahway: County service yard in Rahway River Park, located near the Walter J. Ulrich swimming pool, off St. Georges Avenue.

Acceptable items for recycling include aluminum scrap, aluminum cans, aluminum siding, bicycles, brass, copper, dishwashers, electric fans, fencing (chain/wire), freezers, gutters, irons, lawn furniture, metal cabinets, metal sheds, microwaves, pots and pans, railings, refrigerators, stoves, tire rims, toasters, washers and dryers, window frames (no glass), and wire hangers.

In the event of extreme weather, individual recycling events may be cancelled.

For more information about Union County’s free scrap metal recycling program, including upcoming dates and directions to the drop-off locations, visit the Bureau of Recycling and Planning online at ucnj.org/recycling/scrap-metal or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

Residents can also download the free Recycle Coach app for easy access to information about all Union County and municipal recycling events and programs.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

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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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Photo credit: Mark Buckawiki, flickr.

Union County, NJ – Nominations are still open for the annual Union County Environmental Hero awards. Each year, the Environmental Hero program recognizes local citizens, businesses and organizations that inspire, motivate, and act to help preserve and protect natural resources in Union County and beyond.

The Environmental Hero program is a partnership between the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Trailside Museum Association, a non-profit organization that supports Union County’s Trailside Nature Museum and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation.

“Throughout Union County, people are taking the initiative to help secure a safe, healthy, and sustainable future for the next generation,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “By celebrating their efforts, the Environmental Hero program helps to spread the word about effective actions that make a real difference in our community and in the health of our planet.”

Last year the Union County Environmental Heroes awards went to:

• Overlook Medical Center, its efforts and achievements in sustainability and green initiatives. Overlook has worked to reduce its surgical waste, implemented eco-friendly lighting and other energy conservation methods, and created recycling programs to donate medical supplies, hospital beds and office furniture to facilities in impoverished countries.
• Matthew Fichter, a 6^th grade science teacher at the Hillside Avenue School in Cranford, for leading the school’s Environmental Club.
• Linzy Rosen of Westfield, for starting Westfield High School’s Green Team.
• Jeff Hankinson of Summit, for his efforts on behalf of Union County’s Adopt-a-Trail Program and the Summit Environmental Commission.
• Todd Evans of Mountainside, for establishing the Beautiful Mountainside Committee to organize litter clean-ups, plant trees and promote recycling.
• Casey Cullen-Woods of Roselle Park, for multiple contributions throughout the area. As Sustainability Coordinator at The Willow School, she worked to attain Living Building She co-founded the Living Building Collaborative of New York and New Jersey and now works as a Sustainability Project Manager overseeing projects pursuing sustainability certifications.

Ms. Cullen-Woods has also raised thousands of dollars for environmental nonprofits by completing a 320 mile charity bike ride and lobbied for the Complete Streets alternative transportation program. 

Any Union County individual or group can be nominated for an Environmental Hero award.

All nominations must be submitted online at ucnj.org/trailside by Friday, April 12, 2019.

All awardees will receive certificates of recognition for their work and prizes courtesy of the Trailside Museum Association, and will be honored with a public event at Union County’s annual Wild Earth Fest.   

For more information about the Environmental Hero Award and all other Trailside programs, call 908-789-3670 or visit online at ucnj.org/trailside.

Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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

Photo credit (photo attached): Wildflowers at Watchung Reservation by County of Union, NJ.

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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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Bonus: “Mercury Bounty”$5.00 gift card for residents turning in mercury thermostats

Union County, NJ – As Earth Month approaches, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is offering a simple, easy way for residents to pitch in and help improve the environment. Residents can safely dispose of unwanted household chemicals and other special waste, by bringing these items to the free Household Hazardous Waste recycling event on Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

As a bonus, the company Covanta is partnering with the Freeholder Board to offer $5.00 Home Depot gift cards for residents turning in old mercury thermostats. The bonus applies to thermostats only, not thermometers.

“The Household Hazardous Waste event is provides a way for the residents of Union County to make a real difference, by bringing their unwanted household chemicals to the Vo-Tech campus for environmentally safe disposal,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “Everyone can help protect their homes, their neighborhoods, and our planet, by disposing of harmful substances safely.”

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection event provides Union County residents with a free, environmentally safe way to dispose of outdated or unwanted household chemicals, mercury thermostats, propane tanks, and automobile tires among many other items such as 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), and mercury switches.

Residents only need to drive to the site with their items for disposal. Once at the site, residents stay in their vehicles while workers unload the items.

Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted. There is a limit of eight automobile tires, without rims, per household.

Please note that latex paint is not accepted. Residents wishing to dispose of latex paint are advised to use it up, donate it or share with a neighbor. If those options are not available, the paint can be dried in the can, and/or mixed with kitty litter or newspaper, then disposed with regular household garbage.

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

For a complete list of the materials that will be accepted on April 6th as well as all Union County recycling event dates and locations, please visit ucnj.org/recycle.

April 2019 marks the 49^th annual recognition of Earth Month. For more information about the 2019 global Earth Month theme visit earth-month.org.

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

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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 Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that there will be two dates and locations for information sessions for supply chain management and pharmacy technician training through the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center.

“Through the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center, our goal is to bridge the gap between employers and residents seeking employment,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “The supply chain and pharmaceutical fields offer many opportunities for Union County residents.”

Union County residents can attend either or both of the two information sessions. The first session will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at the American Job Center in Plainfield, at 200 West 2^nd Street.

The second session will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22 at the American Job Center in Elizabeth, at 921 Elizabeth Avenue.

At the sessions, Union County residents will learn the fundamentals of the transportation, logistics and distribution industry sector, and learn how to prepare for jobs in the allied health field under the supervision of a licensed Pharmacist.

The information sessions will be hosted by the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center, a program of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in partnership with Union County College.

Pre-registration for the two sessions is required online at http://tinyurl.com/infoucc

For additional information call the WIB Center office at Union County College, 908-965-2992 or visit the Workforce Development Board online at ucnj.org/wdb.

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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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(Roselle, NJ) Mar 12, 2019 — Residents of Union County will soon be able to enjoy family-friendly programs and events at the KemperSports-managed Warinanco Sports Center, located within Warinanco Park. From holiday-driven activities to weekly recurring events for the local community, Warinanco Sports Center is excited to begin offering a robust events calendar for residents to enjoy.

Guests are invited to participate in a wide range of activities throughout the Spring and Summer seasons both inside the beautiful air-conditioned facility and outside on the newly-laid turf field. A multitude of programs for kids and adults will take place on the new, state-of-the-art Astroturf field, which will temporarily replace the historic ice rink during the warmer months. The Warinanco Sports Center staff are pleased to showcase this fantastic community resource to as many local residents as possible during the coming months.

The ‘Turf Grand Opening & Family Fun Day’  on April 13 will kick off the events calendar by offering family-friendly sports activities, arts and crafts, and door prizes. The following week on April 20, Warinanco Sports Center will offer an ‘Spring Extravaganza’ including an Community Egg hunt, cookie and card decorating and exciting games for the entire family! For those wishing to continue the fun during Spring Break, a sports & activities camp is offered for children age 4-12 and runs weekdays from 8am-4pm for 2 weeks beginning April 15. Summer Camp is also open for registrations which will begin June 24 and run for 10 weeks.

“Our team put a lot of thought about the types of events we want to offer, and one of the most important things was to be able to host events for all members of our community” says Leon Grebla, General Manager of the sports facility.

Additionally, the Park’s lake and boathouse will open the week of May 25^th and the first 20 groups attending will be given a free 30 minute boat ride! The boathouse has been renovated and stocked with modern, brightly colored boats that can seat up to four people, a new snack bar menu, and delicious icy treats to keep guests cool during the heat. The boathouse and snack bar will be open weekdays from 12-8pm and weekends or holidays from 11am-8pm.

“When the Freeholder Board decided to expand the former Warinanco Skating Center, we envisioned a venue that would attract people of all ages to Warinanco Park every season of the year. It is wonderful to see that vision become a reality, with a full slate of activities for all to enjoy this spring,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

Throughout the remainder of the summer months, Warinanco Sports Center will host events such as two Food Truck Festivals (May 18 and Aug 24), Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day events including a Dads and Kids Soccer Tournament, Pet Parade, sports-centric challenges with prizes, and free camp taster days.  Most events do not have an entry fee, and food or beverages will be available for purchase from Warinanco Café.

Warinanco Sports Center is open daily to the public from 9am-8pm with the full-service Warinanco Café open daily starting at 11:30am. For a full list of upcoming events, please visit our Facebook page and website. Both platforms will contain event updates and additional events as they are added throughout the season.

For event booking inquiries please contact Rebecca Bird at rbird@kempersports.com. The Warinanco Sports Center is managed by KemperSports.

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About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit https://www.kempersports.com.

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Media contacts:

B.R. Koehnemann

KemperSports

847.480.4844

brkoehnemann@kempersports.com