Category: Public Info

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Advocate Gary Whyte presents Freeholder Angel G. Estrada with a plaque thanking him for his help in spreading the word about the FOP Awareness Initiative. FOP is a rare, disabling genetic condition that causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – There is one date left in the 2016 Farmer’s Market program, which provides free vouchers for income-eligible seniors to purchase fresh produce from participating farmer’s markets.

The Farmer’s Market program enables income eligible adults age 60 and above to obtain five free vouchers worth a total of $25.00 to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables and herbs.

In Union County, the final voucher distribution of the season will be held on Wednesday, November 2 at the Roselle Community Center, at 1268 Shaffer Avenue in Roselle, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Seniors from any municipality in Union County can apply for the vouchers, if they have not received any in 2016.

To receive a voucher, seniors should be prepared to show identification with their age, residency and income. To meet the eligibility requirements, a single person’s annual income cannot exceed $21,978 and a married couple’s combined income may not exceed $29,637.

For convenience of shopping, a farmer and farm stand will be located at the Community Center, so that the vouchers can be used immediately. Fall produce may include broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, cauliflower, beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, apples and pumpkins.

For more information about the Farmers Market nutrition program, and all other services provided by the Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Resource, call 888-280-8226 or 877-222-3737, or visit the Union County website, ucnj.org.

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.

Photo credit: Justin Marx via flickr.com.

Union County, NJ – Plainfield officials joined with Richmond Towers residents earlier this week to welcome Union County Freeholder Linda Carter (center) to view the newly installed “senior beds” for their on-site community garden. The gardeners picked a crop of hot peppers, demonstrated how they care for a late crop of cold-tolerant lettuce, and planted garlic cloves for spring harvest. The new beds enable seniors and people with disabilities to enjoy gardening activities and reap the nutritional benefits of fresh produce. They were made possible by a grant from Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen’s “Union County Means Green Community Garden Grant” program, and were constructed by the grant administrator Groundwork Elizabeth. For more information, visit ucnj.org or call Groundwork, 908-558-1142.

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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 proud to introduce Curby the Recycling Robot – the newest educational tool aimed at encouraging our local communities to recycle.  Union County’s new fun and interactive recycling robot is part of an overall effort to help Union County achieve the 50% state-mandated recycling rate. 

“In one of the most densely populated counties in the state, it’s especially important for each of us to understand how human behavior impacts the environment,” said Freeholder Chairman, Bruce H. Bergen. “Curby is an engaging tool to promote increased recycling efforts by delivering a message of environmental awareness and litter prevention throughout the county.”  

Curby is a fully animated recycling robot – he moves, speaks, listens and plays sounds and music.  His mouth lights up  in sync with the operators voice, his arms move up and down, his hands open and close, his eyes and eyebrows are fully functional and his lid rises and falls. 

Curby can talk trash with recycling facts and animation that leaves a uniquely memorable impression with those who interact with the robot. Offering a variety of dynamic recycling presentations and interactions that are almost unlimited, Curby increases recycling education participation levels and environmental awareness.

A service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Curby is the newest member of the Union County Bureau of Recycling & Planning through the Department of Engineering, Public Works and Facilities Management. For more information about Union County’s recycling program visit ucnj.org/recycle.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate the 75^th season of programs at Trailside with the popular adult workshop Flower Arranging, on Thursday November 10, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.   The class is well timed to meet the challenges of dressing the holiday table with style and beauty. 

“What better way to prepare for the holidays, than with a relaxing and creative flower arranging workshop,” said  Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Kurt Christoffers, master floral designer and owner of the innovative Christoffers Flowers of Mountainside, demonstrates how to arrange a centerpiece using nature’s best harvest.   Participants can relax as they watch Kurt gracefully design an artistic piece.  Floral material and a container will be provided for each participant.   Participants should bring their own shears or clippers if they have them.  Each student will take home their own unique arrangements.  The fee is $25 for residents of Union County and $30 for out of county residents.

Mark your calendar for Saturday November 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. when NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo lectures on the fascinating,Encounter with Pluto.  The lecturer explains how each of our solar system’s planets was discovered, highlighting Pluto, a place never before visited.  The lecturer offers an engaging presentation about New Horizons, NASA’s mission to the far reaches of our solar system.  The audience will be treated to amazing photos and learn of surprising discoveries made about this dwarf planet.  This lecture is free. High School Students are welcomed.

     The final program of the season is Project WILD, a teacher training workshop offered on Thursday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The workshop offers a multitude of interdisciplinary hands-on and educational activities, teacher tested and classroom ready for K-12 students. It can assist the teacher in preparing  lessons on math, science, social studies, literary and art for any grade level.   The lessons are correlated to NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards.  Participants receive six (6) NJDOE credits.  Morning refreshments are served.  Bring lunch.   The fee is $20.  The curriculum guide is included in the cost of the program.

Registration is available online for these programs and other activities at Trailside by visiting www.ucnj.org/trailside, and click the online registration tab.  Registration is also available in person from 12:00-4:45 PM daily.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.  For more information please call Trailside at 908-789-3670.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to celebrate the 75^th season of programs at Trailside with an astronomy lecture for adults, “Encounter with Pluto”, which  will take place on Saturday November 12, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  

“Astronomy is a subject of endless fascination and amazement and this lecture will not disappoint the listener,” notes Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.  

The popular lecturer and NASA Solar System Ambassador Paul Cirillo, returns to Trailside for a talk on this intriguing subject.  Cirillo’s lecture explains how each of our solar system’s planets was discovered, highlighting Pluto, a place never before visited.  The lecturer offers an engaging presentation about New Horizons, NASA’s mission to the far reaches of our solar system.  The audience will be treated to amazing photos and will learn of surprising discoveries made about this dwarf planet.  This lecture is free. High School Students are welcomed.

The final program of the season is Project WILD, a teacher training workshop offered on Thursday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The workshop offers a multitude of interdisciplinary hands-on and educational activities, teacher tested and classroom ready for K-12 students. It can assist the teacher in preparing lessons on math, science, social studies, literary and art for  any grade level.   The lessons are correlated to NJ Core Curriculum Content

Standards.  Participants receive six (6) NJDOE credits.  Morning refreshments are served.  Bring lunch.   The fee is $20.  The curriculum guide is included in the cost of the program.

Registration is available online for these programs and other activities at Trailside by visiting www.ucnj.org/trailside, and click the online registration tab.  Registration is also available in person from 12:00-4:45 PM daily.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.  For more information please call Trailside at 908-789-3670.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Office of Cultural and Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation invite individuals and organizations to a free program designed to help in overcome the challenges faced both personally and professionally in the business world.

This free program takes place on Monday, November 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Liberty Hall Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Ave., Union, NJ.

“This free interactive workshop will provide the processes and tools necessary to establish, implement and hold yourself accountable to your and your organization’s short–and long–term goals,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “We’re looking forward to a lively and informative session.”

Consultant Susan Koblin Schear, will lead the workshop. She was recently named as Deputy Director for the Newark Arts Council (Newark, NJ). Ms. Schearfounded ARTISIN, LLC in 1995 to offer comprehensive, process-oriented and holistically-based planning and business development, management and implementation services to the arts and cultural sector. As an established speaker, moderator, facilitator and trainer, she designs and presents innovative, customized, professional development workshops and seminars throughout the country. She is a visiting assistant professor at Pratt Institute’s Graduate Arts and Cultural Management Program.

This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The workshop is free, but prior registration is required by November 10.  To register, please email: culturalinfo@ucnj.org or contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202; telephone 908-558-2550;. NJ Relay users dial 711.

Union County, NJ – Union County residents and visitors are invited to celebrate the holiday season this year with a trip to one of the largest model train displays in New Jersey, complete with special sound, narration and lighting effects. It’s all taking place at the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center, located in Union County’s Lenape Park.

“Model trains are closely associated with the holiday season, and over the years many Union County families have included the Model Railroad Center in their list of favorite annual traditions,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Freeholder Board is very proud to host this unique facility for the enjoyment of one and all.”

The Model Railroad Center is run by the non-profit organization The Model Railroad Club, Inc., under an arrangement with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Railroad Center’s permanent displays are highlighted by a massive, intricately detailed HO layout and a double-decker N scale layout complete with a miniature circus.

Each November, Model Railroad Club members dress up the facility for the holidays and invite the public to view the layouts enhanced by sound and lighting effects.

 “The Holiday Sound and Light Show has been a fun, educational part of The Model Railroad Club’s efforts to preserve the rich history of our rail system and its role in the development of our region,” said TMRCI President Tim McCollum.

Along with the Holiday Sound and Light show, holiday visitors can refresh themselves at the on-site snack bar and stock up on train themed presents at the gift shop. A toddler play area also provides young children with a chance to rest and stretch their legs.

The Model Railroad Club is dedicated to preserving the rich history of rail transportation in the New Jersey – Pennsylvania region. Club members have earned a reputation for their attention to finely rendered historical and geographical details.

The Sound and Light Show runs throughout public visiting hours. Visitors can stay as long as they wish and observe the show from the overhead gallery surrounding the 40 x 40-foot HO scale layout.

The visitor gallery also wraps around a new 80 x 60-foot HO section currently under construction, where the “bones” of the layout are visible.

“The new section provides visitors with a rare chance to see the painstaking planning and attention to detail that go into a world class model train display,” said Bergen.

The Model Railroad Club has been a fixture in Union County since it was founded in 1949. It is one of the largest railroad clubs in New Jersey. About 170 volunteer members dedicate hours of their time to maintaining and running the trains, creating scenery, and helping to educate the public about the historical role of railways in the region.

New members are always welcome. Current members are always on site during visiting hours to talk about Club activities and explain how to join, or email info@tmrci.org for information on becoming a member.

The 2016 Holiday Sound and Light Show opens on Friday, November 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. It will continue to operate from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays until December 11.

Tickets to the Sound and Light Show are available at TMRCI’s ticket window and gift shop on Saturdays between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Advance tickets are available online on TMRCI’s website at tmrci.org/annual-show.html. Advance tickets are $7.00 for adults, $4.00 for children ages 3 to 15, and $5.00 for seniors age 60 and over. Children under age 2 are free. Prices are higher at the door on the days of the show.

All proceeds support the operation of The Model Railroad Club, Inc. Free parking is available on site and the building is wheelchair accessible.

Directions: The A. Paul Mallery Center is conveniently situated in a mixed-use area of Lenape Park, off Route 22 East in Union Township, behind the Home Depot. Enter the Home Depot parking lot from Route 22 East or from Springfield Road, and go to the far end where the garden center is located. Turn left and follow a small sign to a service road behind the Home Depot. The Mallery Center is at the end of the road.

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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 Freeholder Board is pleased that the Union County Workforce Innovation Business Center is holding a recruiting event for 30 full-time and part-time positions at Community Access Unlimited in Elizabeth.

The event is being held November 1^st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Workforce Innovation Business Center, at the Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Road in Elizabeth.  Pre-registration is required. For information and to register, please call the Center at 908-355-4444 or email baptiste@uccc.edu.

Sat., Oct 22, 2016 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Plainfield Public Library