Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to announce that the 2016 Election Date Calendar is now available. Fully illustrated with striking historical photographs, the new “Presidential Connections to NJ” wall calendar includes every important deadline and date for local and statewide elections as well as the Presidential primary election on June 7 and the Presidential general election on November 8. There is no charge for the calendar.

“Next year will be the first time in four years that voters will go to the polls to elect a new  President, and to underscore the significance of 2016 we have designed the calendar to reflect some of the many different connections between the State of New Jersey and the Presidency,” said Rajoppi.

The calendar includes famous photographs such as former New Jersey Governor and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson throwing out the first ball on the opening day of the baseball season in 1916, as well as some lesser-known images, including a poignant photo of President James A. Garfield reading to his daughter.

Rajoppi also reminded voters that they can access important election information on their mobile devices, including incoming Election Day results, by downloading the free Union County Votes app.

To have a free copy of the County Clerk’s 2016 Election Calendar mailed to you, visit the County Clerk’s website at ucnj.org/county-clerk and provide your mailing address in the online form, or call the County Clerk Elections Division, 908-527-4996.

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

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“Unfortunately, too many Union County families struggle to provide for their children and maintain what they have,” said James Horne, president and CEO of the county’s United Way. “Our data shows that deepening poverty is linked to rising levels of homelessness, food insecurity and other issues. But we can come together to pool resources and solve these problems.”

Union County freeholders allocated about $130,000 for creation of the center. There are already Family Success Centers in Elizabeth and Plainfield.

“We have excellent services in Elizabeth and Plainfield. This is providing the services in municipality entities, and hopefully we will be bringing it to all municipalities,” Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh said.

The United Way has established partnership with agencies that provide services. Staff members will offer assessments of people who come to the center and connect them with the agencies that can provide services.

These referrals can provide assistance with child care, pharmacy discounts cards, pregnancy testing, parenting education, continuing education and computer training, among others.

Booker noted that the first Family Success Center opened in Newark while he was mayor of that city. There are now 70 centers across the state.

Union County also has centers in Linden and Hillside.

 

Union County, NJ – One of the largest model train displays in New Jersey has a permanent home at the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center in Union County’s Lenape Park, and every year it pulls out all the stops for the Holiday Sound and Light Show featuring dozens of trains rushing through meticulously detailed landscapes. Located right off Route 22 in Union Township, this family-friendly show offers a convenient break during your holiday shopping, complete with a snack bar, a train-themed gift shoppe, and a rest area for young children. Shows run Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 13. For tickets and full details visit The Model Railroad Club online at tmrci.org.

The Mallery Center is conveniently located in Lenape Park behind the Home Depot, 954 Route 22 East, by Springfield Road in Union Township. Enter the Home Depot parking lot from Route 22 or from Springfield Road, and go to the far end where the garden center is. Turn left and a small sign will direct you to a road behind the Home Depot. The Mallery Center is at the end of the road.

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Freeholder Sergio Granados joined UNICO Hillside Chapter President Angelo Bonanno along with Hillside Mayor Angela Garretson, Councilman Donald DeAugustine, UNICO National President Dr. Ann Walko, Grand Knight John Gross and many others in showing veterans that their time serving this country is and will always be appreciated. A great number of veterans came to enjoy UNICO’s appreciation breakfast including Stephen Pega (pictured with Freeholder Granados) who served in the US Navy Air Services during World War II.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, Vice Chairman Bruce H. Bergen and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski, Christopher Hudak, Vernell Wright and Sergio Granados joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Rahway Mayor Samson Steinman, Councilman David Brown and United Way of Great Union County President/CEO James W. Horne in cutting the ribbon officially opening the Rahway Family Success Center in Rahway.

The Rahway Family Success Center is part of Chairman Jalloh’s “Focus on Families” initiative in partnership with the United Way of Great Union County.

Family Success Centers are “one-stop” shops that provide wrap-around resources and supports for families before they find themselves in crisis.

(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a Project Aquatic WILD teacher training workshop for adults ages 18 and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, December 10 from  9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All workshop registration is now available online at www.ucnj.org/trailside.   The fee is $15 per person which includes a guidebook and morning refreshments.

“This workshop offers teachers a chance to learn new teaching modules that focus on aquatic plants and animals,” says Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, “The Trailside Center, with its many exhibits and serene setting, offers the perfect location for teachers to learn while enjoying the outdoors.”    

Project Aquatic WILD is for teachers K-12 and scout leaders to learn new ideas and activities to bring back to their students.  Developed by the Council for Environmental Education, in compliance with the New Jersey Core Curriculum standards, Project Aquatic WILD, which is part of the Project WILD curriculum, emphasizes aquatic wildlife and ecosystems.   

Based on the premise that young people and educators alike have an interest in learning about our natural world, this program underscores wildlife’s intrinsic value and addresses the need for us all to be responsible stewards of our planet. Hands-on activities are designed for integration into existing courses of study for formal and non-formal educators.  Teachers will work together to investigate, observe, ask questions, collect and analyze data and draw conclusions on topics that may include fishing, pollution, wetlands, habitats, aquatic food chains and much more.  Through the many interactive teaching modules, educators will feel confident to bring activities back to their students.  Participants will receive six (6) NJDOE professional education credits.  Registrants should meet at the Trailside Visitor Center and bring their lunch.  

For more information about this program, or other activities at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside.  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.

The award-winning documentary about a gardener from Hillside, New Jersey who made global headlines in 1994 for killing a rat will be screened for the first time in Union County on Sunday, December 6 at 7 p.m. at Hamilton Stage in Rahway at 360 Hamilton Street. Director and Screen Writer, Andrew Ruotolo will lead a brief panel discussion with Union County luminaries – audience participation is welcome. Suggested admission is $5 at the door. 

 

The charge: murder. The setting: Hillside, NJ ’94. The accused: Frank Balun. The weapon: a broomstick. The victim: a rat?! The 18-minute film “The Rat Slayer of Hillside NJ,” documents the case against the late Frank Balun, a Hillside resident and WWII Veteran, who was cited by Lee Bernstein of the Associated Humane Society for killing a rat in his backyard. Balun was charged with animal cruelty for “needlessly abusing a rodent,” and was ordered to appear in court, where he faced six months in jail and a $1,250 fine. (A preview is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3v3SlAhvqw and the Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/ratslayerofhillsidenj)

 

Sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the UCACT program, the documentary was directed and produced by a Union County cast that included Ruotolo (Director), Andrew Lessner and Michael Angelo Covino (Producers), and Sean Devaney and Zach Kuperstein (Directors of Photography). Ruotolo, Lessner and Devaney all attended elementary, middle and high school in Westfield together.

 

The documentary, which was released last year, has been shown at various film festivals, including the Brooklyn Film Festival and Lighthouse Film Festival in Long Beach Island, most recently winning the Documentary Short award at the St. Lawrence International Film Festival in Canada and Upstate New York.

All interested candidates must submit their resumes to Susan Flores at sflores@ucc.edu and call 908-355-4444 to set up an interview time.

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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to present the 32^nd Annual Holiday Nature Craft Show at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. Usher in the holidays with the sights and sounds of the season on Sunday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The price of admission is an item of dry or canned food or a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed through local charities.

“If you are looking for a unique gift for a family  member or friends, the Nature Craft Show is the place to check out while enjoying a festive afternoon of activities, including greetings from Santa and Mrs. Claus,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.

Staff from various Union County departments and community organizations will decorate trees in the Trailside Visitor Center. All the trees, ornaments, and gift cards collected will be distributed to Union County families in need. Visitors are encouraged to stop by each holiday tree and vote on their favorite decorations theme for this year.

With a large selection of handcrafted items available at the show, you will certainly be able to check some names off your gift list. More than 40 vendors will be selling nature-themed items such as photography, knit and crocheted items, ornaments, home décor, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, recycled items, and much more. Light refreshments will be available for purchase throughout the day, sponsored by the Watchung Junior Hunt Club.

Children will be able to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon to 4:30 p.m., and free children’s face-painting will be offered to keep the little ones entertained. The day’s activities in Trailside’s auditorium will include illuminating seasonal lights of the Union County tree and menorah at 4:30 p.m.

For additional information about the Holiday Nature Craft Show please call Trailside at 908-789-3670, or go to www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.