Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will recognize local artists and present awards at a reception on Wednesday, May 4, at the 15^th Annual Exhibit and Contest for County of Union Employees and Their Families. The free reception and awards ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Gas Company, located in the Liberty Hall Center, 1085 Morris Avenue in Union.

“This show offers a chance for our Union County employees, retired employees, County programs volunteers, and family members to shine,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The artwork that they do in their spare time is outstanding, and we are proud to display it in the beautiful atrium space of the Liberty Hall Center. We are grateful to Elizabethtown Gas for generously hosting the program and awards reception and to the National Arts Program Foundation for funding the prize awards.”

Presented in partnership with the National Arts Program®, the exhibit will be open weekdays until May 24, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“The Freeholders share the goal of the National Arts Program Foundation to reach as many people as possible of all ages, offering them a chance to show their creations,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “We invite you to view this exhibit of exceptional artwork at the Liberty Hall Center.”

The art exhibit will be judged by three prominent artists/art professionals: Marguerite Brennan, Lawrence Cappiello and Frank Falotico.

Marguerite Brennan graduated in 1980 with a BFA from Philadelphia College of Art. Her studies in ceramics continued in Mexico at the Instituto de Allende, in San Miguel de Allende and Otis Institute of Parsons School of Design, Los Angeles, California. Her clay-making passion encompasses arenas of design in both functional and sculptural work distinguished by her trademark of naïve animal imagery. The functional work is hand built, not thrown on the wheel. She maintains her studio at her home in Summit, NJ, where she also gives clay lessons to the young and young-at-heart. She has exhibited extensively in the U.S. and Canada, and she has won numerous ceramic awards. Her work is in the private collections of Nicolas Cage, Bette Midler, Lorraine Bracco, Francis Ford Coppola, Aidan Quinn and David Strathairn.

Lawrence Cappiello is a founder of Arts Guild New Jersey (formerly the Arts Guild of Rahway), a non-profit center for the Arts in Rahway, NJ, and he has served as Executive Director of the organization since 1998. Mr. Cappiello was an Art major at Colby College, Waterville, Maine (1974) and holds an MA degree in Studio Art and Art Education from Kean University (1998). He has been making pictures since the age of three and has several years of other formal training in Art at The Art Students League in New York City and various other institutions in New Jersey and New York.

Frank Falotico is the Director of the duCret School of Art in Plainfield. Mr. Falotico has a B.A. in Fine Art from Monmouth College, is a graduate of the duCret School of Art and studied at the Art Students League in New York. He has exhibited his paintings in numerous shows in New Jersey and New York including the Swain Galleries in Plainfield, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Rutgers University, and the Salmagundi Club in New York City.

The National Arts Program® is in its 31^st year with 86 annual programs in 38 states. The program was conceived by Leonard E.B. Andrews (1925 – 2009), an art collector, publisher, business executive and journalist, “for the encouragement and development of artistic expression.” The goal of the National Arts Program® is to provide an uninhibited opportunity for people to present their talent, at whatever level, in a free, public exhibition. The National Arts Program® is sponsored by The National Arts Program Foundation of Malvern, Pennsylvania. To learn more about the program, visit www.thenationalartsprogram.org.

Additional support for this event is provided by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Telephone (908) 558-2550 or e-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org. NJ relay users dial 711.

Town Hall at Ronald Reagan Academy | School No. 30 Addresses  the Transitioning Needs of the Autism Community

What

Co-Sponsored by Autism Speaks New Jersey and U.S. Senator Bob Menendez and hosted in partnership with Union County, City of Elizabeth, Elizabeth Public School District, Elizabeth Board of Education, and Moving New Jersey Forward Foundation, the goal of the Family Services Town Hall is to bring together young adults and adults with autism, families, adult service providers and state resources in a positive and collaborative atmosphere.  

This town hall will focus on the transition of young adults on the autism spectrum from adolescence into adulthood. Our panelists will provide families with options to think about and explore as they begin to plan for adulthood, and we hope to be able to provide additional information to the families in attendance. Our guiding principle is simple: we believe that all individuals with autism, regardless of the level of support needed, should be able to live fulfilling lives filled with purpose, dignity, choices, and happiness.

The panel will include advocates, experts and service providers, all of whom are educated and knowledgeable about adult autism services in New Jersey. The Resource Fair will include agencies that provide services for young adults and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, not limited solely to transition.

Panelists

• EPIC Schools (Paramus, New Jersey)
• Trinitas Regional Medical Center (Elizabeth, New Jersey)
• New York Life (New York, New York)
• Autism Speaks (New York, New York)
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (Hamilton, New Jersey)
• Elizabeth Board of Education – Moderator (Elizabeth, New Jersey) 

When

May 7, 2016

• 9:15 am – Registration
• 9:30 am – Panel Discussion and Q&A
• 11:30am – Resource Fair

Where

Ronald Reagan Academy | School No. 30

730 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07201

Background

Transition is the movement from one stage or place to another. The transition from school services to adulthood can be challenging for individuals with ASD and other disabilities. Children grow up, and autism does not end when children reach adulthood. In the U.S., an estimated 50,000 youth with autism leave high school each year, but many are unprepared to find suitable housing, employment, or post-secondary options. Transition planning, which includes all facets of a young adult’s life, needs to be dynamic and begin early in adolescence, yet often families are unsure where to begin. Transition will be different for each family, but the goal remains the same: for the adolescent with autism to lead a fulfilling, healthy, and happy adult life.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

Sponsors

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to announce the launch of the new Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) program through the Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), under the Department of Human Services.

“The purpose of ASK is to heighten awareness among residents and help them identify the many government programs and services available to seniors and their caregivers,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Human Services Advisory Council. “The ASK program will bring our knowledgeable, experienced Division on Aging staff based in Elizabeth to locations that, for some, may be more convenient to reach.”

The new Aging Services Kiosk (ASK) outreach program will travel throughout Union County to provide senior adults age 60 and above and their caregivers information about services such as home delivered meals, respite care, home care, and adult day care, as well as support services for caregivers. Assistance with completing applications and forms will also be available.

Open to all Union County residents, the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) is scheduled to bring the new ASK outreach program to the following municipalities in May:

Wednesday, May 4
Linden Public Library
31 E. Henry Street, Linden
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Monday, May 9
Mountainside Municipal Building
1385 Route 22 East, Mountainside
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 12
Westfield Community Center
558 W. Broad Street, Westfield
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Thursday, May 26
Berkeley Heights Public Library
290 Plainfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) aims to promote wellness, independence, dignity and choice for seniors and their families. It is one of 670 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide established under the federal Older Americans Act. The division offers informational resources printed in both English and Spanish.

“The Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) model, a state initiative that Union County has embraced since 2012, is designed to improve service for seniors and residents with disabilities,” said Union County’s Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski. “These services can enable our residents with limited mobility to remain in their homes and communities,” Kowalski added.

Additional dates and locations will be added for the mobile ASK program in coming months, and will be posted in local newspapers, the Senior News, Facebook, Twitter and the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.

For more information about the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection, call the division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or 908-527-4870 or 4858 or visit the Union County government website at ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Vernell Wright, Christopher Hudak, Bette Jane Kowalski and Alexander Mirabella and County Manager Alfred Faella joined Union County Trailside Nature and Science Center Director Patricia Bertsch and Assistant Director Karen Inzillo in celebrating 75 years of Environmental Education at Trailside during Wild Earth Fest in Mountainside. Wild Earth Fest is an entertaining family event where attendees can learn ways to become eco-friendly and increase awareness of wildlife conservation. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, New Jersey. For more information call (908) 789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union

Union County Freeholder Linda Carter was presented the Community Service Award by Union County Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs President Sheila Greenwood during the group’s 44th Annual Founders’ Day Luncheon in Garwood. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholder Christopher Hudak joined Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park, Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan, Union County Public Safety Director Andrew Moran and Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center President Drew Ertman at the 2nd annual 5K fundraiser Race 4 the Children event in Warinanco Park. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

During the week of April 25h, PSE&G crews will work at the following locations for the construction of the Bergen-Linden Corridor (BLC) electric transmission reliability project, www.pseg.com/blc:

• conduit installation on Kapkowski Road from North Ave. to Jersey Gardens Boulevard
• conduit installation on Veterans Memorial Drive from Jersey Gardens Boulevard to Trumbull Street
• When the conduit is complete to Trumbull Street, the crew will move to Jersey Gardens Boulevard at the intersection of Kapkowski Road and proceed on Jersey Gardens Boulevard towards Veterans Memorial Drive.
• manhole installation on Trumbull Street at Veterans Memorial Drive
• sewer lining on the remainder of Second Street with short runs at various intersections. Elizabeth extra-duty traffic control officers will progress with the crew and ensure the safety of the general travelling public.

You can visit www.pseg.com/blc and a City of Elizabeth specific link is listed under the heading “What’s Happening in Your Town.”

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite families with children of all ages and adults alike to climb aboard a variety of public safety vehicles at this year’s “Touch A Truck” event on Sunday afternoon, May 1.  The event will run from 12:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M., rain or shine in the Lower Loop Parking Lot of the Watchung Reservation. There will also be a quiet hour, from 11:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. where children sensitive to noise will be able to enjoy the vehicles on display.

“Once again we are happy to host Touch A Truck at the Loop in Watchung Reservation to give youngsters an opportunity to not only see these magnificent machines, but to actually climb abroad and experience the excitement of being behind the wheel,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Among the vehicles on display at this year’s event will be the Union County Police Department’s SWAT vehicle, nicknamed “The Bear.” The department will also have a patrol SUV on site.

Hazmat will offer its big rig, and the Union County Department of Public Works will return with its mammoth white milling machine which is used to strip the top off of roads to prepare them for paving. The companion vehicle, the paver, will also be there, along with a bucket truck used for high tree trimming.

Attendees can also see multiple trucks with snow plows, payloaders, backhoe, and hook/flatbed tow. And of course, fire truck department equipment from the Mountainside Fire Department is also planned for display.

Admission to the Touch A Truck event is $4 per person, with children 6 years old and under admitted free.

The Loop Area is located just off Tracy Drive in Mountainside, in between Glenside Avenue and Summit Road. It features a very popular playground area for the kids, and the concession stand will be open. Visitors may also visit the Watchung Stable and the Deserted Village of Feltville/Glenside Park. Also, Lake Surprise is just a short walk where residents can see the new damn.

For more information on Touch A Truck, or any event in the Union County Parks System, please visit our website at ucnj.org/parks.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders proudly congratulates the students of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools’ (UCVTS) robotics team Parallel Universe/FRC Team 1257 as they advance to the World Championship competition in St. Louis next week.

Competing against sixty of the top teams in the Mid-Atlantic Region, last weekend the UCVTS team won the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Mid-Atlantic Robotics District Championship held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The win came alongside UCVTS alliance partners, Team 225 from York, PA, and Team 341 from Ambler, PA.

“FIRST robotics develops not only technical skills but also critical-thinking, leadership and communication skills,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “These students are our future innovators, engineers, scientists and researchers, and the Freeholder Board congratulates them on their remarkable accomplishment.”

Through the FIRST program, the UCVTS robotics team students work together throughout the school year to build a robot, forge sponsor relationships, host STEM community outreach programs, and compete in district, regional, and international competitions.

This exhilarating robotics program combines the excitement of spectator sports with the rigor of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. FIRST has a unique culture because although it embraces the spirit of competition, it also heavily emphasizes the values of respect, empathy, and cooperation. It is meant to inspire students around the world to become leaders in science and technology, as well as business and design.

“Thanks to support from our school, community, and sponsors, we are proud to be representing our school district and Union County next week in St. Louis,” said Peter Capodice, UCVTS Superintendent of Schools.

The FIRST World Championship will place in St. Louis, Missouri, from April 27 to April 30 with 600 teams from 32 different countries across the globe gathering together in the Edward Jones Dome to compete at the Championship Event. This is UCVTS Parallel Universe/FRC Team 1257’s first time attending the FRC Championship in over 10 years.

Union County, NJ —   The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that financial assistance is available for adult residents with physical disabilities who need supportive services to live independently while they are employed, enrolled in post-secondary training, or involved in a volunteer activity of at least 20 hours per month.

The program, called the New Jersey Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP), is funded by the New Jersey State Department of Human Services and administered by the Union County Department of Human Services.

“This program enables adults with physical challenges to live independently at home and realize their goals for employment, education and community service,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It has been making a meaningful difference in the lives of people with disabilities for more than 30 years, and we hope that more Union County residents take advantage of this opportunity.”

Participants in PASP use the program to engage personal assistants who help with the many essential tasks of daily living, including bathing, meals, light housekeeping, shopping and transportation. PASP also covers assistance with bill paying and other correspondence.

“Funding from PASP strengthens the social fabric throughout Union County by enabling more residents to participate in the community and build financial security,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder Board Liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board.

To be eligible, an individual must reside in Union County, be an adult between the ages of 18 and 70, and be capable of providing directions to an assistant. Participants in the program must contribute toward the cost of the service, based on their household income.    

For further information about the Union County Personal Assistance Services Program and other services for people with disabilities, contact the Union County Department of Human Services Office for the Disabled, at 908- 527-4840.

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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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