Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Roberta Zlatkin of Union in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “Frontier Z: The Alchemy Series” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through October 21. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Zlatkin’s beautiful abstract watercolors.”

After graduating high school, Roberta Zlatkin went to New York City to study print making and textiles at the Art Students League. She was influenced by American Abstract Expressionists and other Modern Art of the early 20th century. The American Abstract Expressionists were a group inspired by the ebb and flow of New York City in post-World War II during the late 1940’s. Her artistic style was also influenced by the people she met from different parts of the world while in New York.

Returning home to New Jersey, she changed her path in life and entered Kean College where she studied art history and other areas of art and earned a degree in primary education. Ms. Zlatkin became a school teacher in the Elizabeth School System and enjoyed her career working with young children. After retiring in 2010 she pursued her work with watercolors more intensely.

Roberta Zlatkin said of her painting, “The four elements found in nature; water, air, earth and fire are key elements in my work. Sometimes the colors flow through my mind as if a powerful energy of how I am feeling on that day. I just go with the flow and paint.” She enjoys working with watercolors with metallic wash mixed in fine glitter with India ink and faux crystals.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County, NJ – A special Union County Harvest Contest will be part of the festivities this Wednesday, August 17 during the next edition of Union County’s free Summer Arts Festival outdoor concert series. The free concert features the music of The Beatles by Hey Bulldog beginning at 7:30, preceded by a free yoga class at 6:30, at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Gardeners are invited to bring samples of their produce for a chance to win a gardening certificate and prizes. Check-in starts at 6:30.

“Produce gardens are flourishing all over Union County, and we’re looking forward to seeing the biggest, best and most unusual specimens that you can grow,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Prizes will be given out for the heaviest tomato, the heaviest zucchini, the funniest looking natural vegetable, and the most creative “character” made of up to five different vegetables.

The Union County Harvest Contest is hosted by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Extension staff will be available to talk about community programs for all ages including the Master Gardeners, Master Tree Stewards and 4-H Club.

The Extension is supported in part by the Freeholder Board. For more information visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

For more details about the Summer Arts series and all activities in Union County parks, visit ucnj.org/parks.

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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 Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen, Vice Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholders Vernell Wright and Bette Jane Kowalski joined Senator Raymond Lesniak, Union County College President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, Union County College Board of Trustees Chairman Victor M. Richel, Union County Improvement Authority Executive Director Daniel Sullivan and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Student Development Building on the Cranford Campus.

The new 30,000 square feet state-of-the –art building is home of the Helen E. Chaney Student Services Center which will serve as the focal point for all student services.

The construction of the new facility was funded by the Union County Board of Freeholders and the project was managed by Union County Improvement Authority.

For more information about Union County College visit www.ucc.edu.

Union County, NJ – Community gardeners gathered at Liberty Hall Farm in Union yesterday for an outdoor potluck dinner in celebration of the Union County Means Green Community Garden Grants, a new 2016 initiative of Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. The grants are funded by the Freeholder Board and administered by the non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth. Joining the grant awardees were Freeholders Vernell Wright (2^nd l.) and Bette Jane Kowalski (6^th l.), Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage (2^nd r.), Groundwork Executive Director Jonathan Phillips and staff, and Rosalynd Orr of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (3^rd r.). The event was hosted by Groundwork and sponsored by the Freeholder Board. For more information visit Groundwork online or go to ucnj.org/garden-grants.

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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 today served a notice of claim against the New Jersey Department of Transportation, due to the continued shutdown of five road and bridge projects resulting from Governor Chris Christie’s Executive Order No. 210. Issued on July 8, Executive Order 210 halted work on projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund Authority throughout the state.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen said:

“Union County has taken this initial step in order to try to protect our residents and businesses from the disruptive consequences of Executive Order No. 210. Again, I urge Governor Christie to work with the Legislature to provide sufficient funding for the Transportation Trust Fund, and bring this period of delay and uncertainty to a swift closure.”

Executive Order 210 has halted work on three County bridge reconstruction projects and two rounds of annual road resurfacing projects.

The Evening will also feature a Harvest Contest Sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension

The Union County Summer Arts Festival concert series continues this coming Wednesday evening August 17, with Hey Bulldog taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. The free concert series is presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholder and sponsored by the Union County Education Association.

“There are just a couple of more weeks to enjoy some great musical entertainment in our parks,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Bruce Bergen. “And be sure to arrive early to participate in UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a great way for families to stay healthy together.”

Playing the music of the Beatles, Hey Bulldog is a diverse group of musicians from the New Brunswick area who joined together for an open jam to play Beatles songs on John Lennon’s birthday, and have been playing together ever since. Members stay true to their individual style, playing some of the best songs ever written with creativity, passion, and originality.

While enjoying the wonderful music, concertgoers can visit Tony’s Traveling Trattoria which will treat your palate to excellent Italian comfort food. Also the Good Humor Truck will be on site hosted by TG and Sons serving ice cream and snacks. Attendees can also pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the stars.

Once again UC Get Fit Yoga in the Park, a Union County Freeholder initiative will be part of the Wednesday night pre-concert schedule, with Crunch Fitness of Garwood presenting a free community class from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in healthy activities for the entire family before the music begins.

Along with the music and yoga, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County will sponsor a Harvest Contest, running from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Contestants can bring their entries to the Rutgers table located by the bandstand. The contest categories will include heaviest tomato and heaviest zucchini, funniest looking vegetables and best vegetable character. Concert goers will be invited to vote between 7:00 p.m. and during the first music set. All winners will be announced at intermission and receive a certificate and small gardening prize.

The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs will also be on hand at the concert to provide information on the workings of their office.

The 2016 Union County Summer Arts Festival will conclude on Wednesday, August 24th at Oak Ridge Park with N.Y. State of Mind performing a Billy Joel Tribute.

Please visit www.ucnj.org/summer for more summertime fun activities.

Union County Freeholder Linda Carter and Union County Fire Training Academy Dean Steve Ruhl welcome the students of the Plainfield Fire Division summer internship program and Plainfield firefighters as they visited the Union County Fire Training Academy in Linden. The fire interns toured the training facility and received hands-on lessons about firefighting. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Months of persistent detective work by a member of the Union County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit resulted in the arrest Tuesday of a man wanted for first degree armed robbery, burglary and aggravated assault in Union five months ago, Sheriff Joseph Cryan announced today.

Raymond Oliver of Irvington is accused of slashing a 35-year-old woman after forcing his way into a Chilton Place home on March 9 and demanding money.

According to Union Township police, Oliver, 53, fled the residence with $100 after cutting the victim with a box cutter. The woman received 13 stitches on her left hand. At the time, there was a warrant out for Oliver for failure to pay child support.

Sheriff’s Investigator George Gyure tracked Oliver to an address in Irvington, where he and members of the United States Marshals Service located the suspect this morning.

Oliver was arrested without incident and transported to the Union County Jail where he is being held without bail.

“Thanks to the outstanding detective work by Investigator Gyure, the Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshals a very dangerous individual has been captured,” Sheriff Cryan said. “This arrest once again proves that our office doesn’t stop looking for fugitives.”

Union County, NJ – Union County residents looking for a fun, active community service opportunity are invited to join the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County. Master Gardeners are trained and certified by Rutgers experts. No previous experience with gardening is needed.

Applications are being accepted now to begin the next training series. The deadline to apply is August 31.

“The training course provides both experts and beginners with a valuable learning experience while serving our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “The Master Gardeners program is a very active, creative volunteer organization, and the Freeholder Board is proud to support this worthy program.”

The mission of the Master Gardeners is to share knowledge, experience, and love of gardening through community activities including neighborhood garden and beautification projects, education, and outreach to seniors and the disabled.

The highlight of the program is the Union County Demonstration Garden, located in Mountainside. The large, elaborate grounds serveas the platform for the Master Gardeners’ large produce donation program, educational programs and summer camps, and many other initiatives.

The Demonstration Garden also provides Master Gardeners with opportunities to explore emerging trends in urban horticulture, such as rain gardens and rainwater harvesting, and share their experiences with the community.

The Master Gardeners program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. It is supported by the Freeholder Board as part of a national county-based community agriculture program under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Extension offices are located in the County’s Colleen Fraser Building in Westfield, and the Demonstration Garden is located in the County’s Watchung Reservation near the Trailside Nature and Science Center.

The training and certification program consists of weekly sessions from October 18 through May of next year. A modest fee covers materials. Trainees commit to at least 6 hours of volunteer service before training is completed, and a total of 60 hours of service over a period of 12 to 18 months.

To obtain a Master Gardeners application, or for more information please call Judi Laganga at the Extension, 908-654-9854 (ext. 2) or email jlaganga@ucnj.org using Master Gardeners in the subject line. Applications are due by August 31.

For more information about the Master Gardeners and all Rutgers Cooperative Extension programs visit ucnj.org/rce. 

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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 – Enrollment is now open for Union County’s Master Tree Stewards program. Members of this all-volunteer organization spend the fall season on guided nature walks to learn about the critical role that trees play in our environment, and each spring they fan out to share their knowledge with hundreds fourth grade students in Union County schools.

Anyone 18 and older is eligible to become a Master Tree Steward. No previous experience with trees or classroom instruction is necessary.

“If you are interested in preserving our treescape, the Master Tree Stewards program will enable you to help young people all across our community appreciate the many ways in which trees enhance public health, and provide both civic and environmental benefits,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen.

Trees are well known for their environmental role in reducing airborne pollutants and reducing storm runoff. Studies have also linked urban trees to improved public health and safety as well as economic development.

Master Tree Steward volunteers are trained and certified by experts from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The training course begins each September and consists of guided visits to state parks including Cheesequake, Hacklebarney and others.

Trainees also visit the New Jersey Forestry Service to see a tree nursery and maple sugar demonstration.

“Spending time in the fresh air with a new group of friends is another good reason to join the Master Tree Stewards,” said Bergen.

The training includes guidance on using a Rutgers lesson kit to help fourth grade students understand the importance of tree conservation. Along with conducting the popular game of “Tree Jeopardy,” Tree Stewards use fun visual aids from the kit such as a gigantic pine cone and posters about rubber tapping and cork harvesting.

Master Tree Stewards can also engage in other tree-related community service projects throughout the year.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Freeholder Board. The Extension offices are located in the Colleen Frasier County Services building in Westfield, at 300 North Avenue East.

Downloadable applications for the Master Tree Stewards program are available on page four of the Extension’s fall brochure, on the County website at ucnj.org/rce. For additional information call the Extension at 908-654-9854, or email Agent James Nichnadowicz at jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org. Training starts on Wednesday, September 7.

For more information about the Master Tree Stewards, 4-H Clubs, and other Extension programs for all ages, visit ucnj.org/rce.

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