The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that adults, ages 18 and older, can register online atwww.ucnj.org/trailisde for a lecture on the “Bee Colony Crisis.” Presented at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Friday, November 13 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., this lecture is free of charge. Pre-registration is preferred; however, walk-ins are welcomed.
“The honey bee plays an important role in our country’s agriculture. This lecture addresses many of the questions we have been asking about a problem that impacts all of us,” says Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
The bee colony crisis has had a deleterious impact on many agricultural crops world-wide. The decline of the bee population in our country has significantly increased the cost to farmers. Tim Schuler, New Jersey State Apiarist, will lecture on three causes of trauma to the European honey bee. Enhanced by a PowerPoint presentation, the lecture will define the ecological problems we face, the impact on the bee-keeping industry and how professional bee keepers and hobbyists have responded to this crisis.
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.
Union County, NJ – Union County business owners and managers are invited to attend Practical Perseverance, a free networking breakfast event sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders on Monday, October 26, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the STEM Building at Kean University, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union.
The featured speaker will be Brian Smith, founder of UGG Australia. The UGG brand is known internationally for its solidly crafted sheepskin footwear.
“If you own or manage a business in Union County, I invite you to come to Practical Perseverance, connect with your peers, and gain some unique insights that can help you grow your company,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh.
The Practical Perserverance networking breakfast is part of the Freeholder Board’s Union County Means Business (UCMB) initiative, which provides free networking sessions, workshops and other services for the local business community.
Registration is required by visiting the UCMB website, ucnj2.org/ucmb, or call 908-527-7412.
Calling all geologists, young and old! The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you visit Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 from noon to 5 p.m. for the Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show. More than 20 vendors will be on hand displaying and selling their specimens of rocks, gems, fossils, minerals, sea shells and jewelry from around the world. Admission to this event is free. Trailside is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For additional information call 908-789-3670. Visit us at www.ucnj.org/trailside for information on fall programs and special events for families and adults.
MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite you to explore the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils and gems at Trailside Nature and Science Center on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 from noon to 5 p.m. on both days.
“This two-day event brings rocks and gems to life with many exhibits and displays,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, “There is something for everyone at this unique event.”
Sponsored jointly with the New Jersey Mineralogical Society, the Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show will host more than 20 vendors selling minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, sea shells and fossils from around the world. Geologists young and old will be mesmerized by the variety of specimens on display and for sale. Children can purchase geodes, arrowheads and fluorescent minerals, while adults may enjoy the jewelry, fine gems and collector-grade pieces. Free children’s activities are available. Admission to the event on both days is free.
For more information about the Rock, Gem and Jewelry Show call Trailside at 908-789-3670. Visit www.ucnj.org/trailside for additional information on programs offered this fall at Trailside. Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi recently spoke with members of American Legion Post 322 in Summit about the services the County Clerk’s office provides. For information about County Clerk services visit www.ucnj.org/county-clerk/ or call 908-527-4787. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright joined Union Mayor Manuel Figueiredo, Marshalls managers and shoppers at the ribbon cutting for the grand opening of the new Marshalls store on Rt. 22 in Union. Working through the Union County Workforce Innovation Center in Elizabeth, Marshalls Store administrators hired more than 80 new full and part-time jobs for their new store in Union. The Workforce Innovation Center, which is funded in part through the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, has partnered with various corporations to offer residents more than 1,000 new jobs over the past year. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski presented checks to Danielle Getting and Harrat Sommerhoff, two of the Art Outside the Box competition winners, during the Union County Celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month in Rahway. Their artwork will cover traffic boxes in Linden.
They were joined by Linden Councilwoman Michele Yamakaitis, New Jersey State Council on the Arts Executive Director Nick Paleologos and Ann Marie Miller of ArtPride New Jersey.
Union County, NJ – The ecosystem in Union County’s Ash Brook Reservation is a bit healthier today, thanks to students from the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools District, who undertook a conservation project as part of their Sustainable Sciences curriculum.
“The work of these young people is greatly appreciated by the Freeholder Board and the entire Union County family,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, “The natural habitat in our County parks needs care and attention in order to thrive, and this project is a great example of taking sustainability lessons from the classroom to the community.”
Located by the Vo-Tech Schools campus in Scotch Plains, Ash Brook Reservation is part of the Union County parks system. The conservation project was undertaken as part of County’s Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail programs.
Students from the sustainable science classes of Vo-Tech teachers Jennifer Puglia and Gina Ruggiero worked under the guidance of Parks Department staff and volunteer Trail Steward Marc Grobman to remove invasive plants near a section of trail in the reservation. Invasive species, such barberry and winged euonymus, provide little or no habitat benefit while crowding out valuable native plants.
The project also involved building up the trail and cutting back encroaching vegetation in order to improve access.
“Our system of 36 parks is a beautiful legacy from past generations of Union County residents for all to enjoy, and it is inspiring to see a new generation take on stewardship of this invaluable public resource,” said Jalloh.
The School of Sustainable Sciences enables high school students to explore careers in sustainable design, energy and technology, through a curriculum based on project learning and problem solving. More information is available at ucvts.tec.nj.us.
Every year the Union County Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail programs welcome hundreds of volunteers to help conserve habitat and improve access in County parks. Volunteers can join on an individual basis, as a school or civic group, or as an employer-organized project.
For more information about Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Trail, visit online at ucnj.org, email bkelly@ucnj.org or call 908-789-3683.
Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi recently spoke with members of American Legion Post 322 in Summit about the services the County Clerk’s office provides. For information about County Clerk services visit www.ucnj.org/county-clerk/ or call 908-527-4787. (Photo by Jim Lowney/ County of Union)
38,000 square-foot expansion adds new classrooms, science labs, lockers and athletic facilities
Union County elected officials, school administrators, teachers and students today cut the ribbon on the completed $11 million expansion of the West Hall building for the Union County Vocational-Technical School High School.
The two-story, steel-frame academic building serves the district’s four-year, full-time Union County Vocational-Technical High School (UCTech) and has opened with more than 400 full-time students using the facility.
“Future generations of entrepreneurs, communicators, and creators are receiving their education here, honing their skills and learning how to ply their craft,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, who serves as a Freeholder liaison to the Vo-Tech.
“We’re proud to be investing in our children’s future, and it is paying off as Union County’s Vocational-Technical education system is one of the strongest in the state and nation,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh, who also serves as a Freeholder liaison to the Vo-Tech.
The 38,000 square-foot addition contains 10 new classrooms, two new computer labs for biology and chemistry-physics, a faculty room, administration office, and a 1,200 square foot fitness center with adjoining health classroom. The total project cost of the expansion—approximately $11 million—is financed through a county bond issue. The architect for the project was Netta Architects of Mountainside, and the general contractor was Mar-Bridge Enterprises of Matawan, NJ. Pinnacle Construction Management of Newark, is the construction manager.
“The addition to West Hall is being used to provide all the academic programs for UCTech full time students,” said Union County Vocational-Technical Schools Superintendent Peter A. Capodice. “Last year, all UCTech full-time students received the academic portion of their program in our Academy for Information Technology (AIT at Bistocchi Hall). Now we hope to grow both the AIT and UCTech programs.”
UCTech is one of the five academies at the school, and offers students a four-year, full-time program that combines high-end academics with access to the career or technical training program of their choice. Students at UC Tech follow a comprehensive high school education program while simultaneously pursuing opportunities to study traditional vocational-technical programs. These programs include automotive technology, building trades, communication, public safety, culinary arts and cosmetology, among the 20 or programs.
UCTech, recipient of the “National Blue Ribbon School Award” in 2013, also has highly specialized career academies under its umbrella including Exercise Physiology and Related Sciences; the UCTech School of Design, the Teacher Education Academy, the Sustainable Science Academy and the Academy of Clinical Care Sciences.
Union County Vocational Technical High School’s shared-time vocational-technical training programs serve 600 Union County high school students in twenty occupational areas as well as over 100 post-secondary adults. The District’s apprenticeship program continues to be the largest program in New Jersey serving over 2,500 apprentices.
More than 1,400 students—plus an additional 600 shared time students—attend all five academies of the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools system. In 2013 both the Academy for Information Technology (AIT) and the Magnet High School were recipients of the prestigious “National Blue Ribbon School Award”. This was the second time the Magnet High School earned the award (2004).
Union County, NJ – One of the largest model train displays in New Jersey has a permanent home in the Union County Parks system, and every year it pulls out all the stops for the Holiday Sound and Light Show featuring dozens of trains and non-stop activity.
“The Holiday Sound and Light Show gives us all an affordable way to kick off the holiday season with a unique, family friendly activity that everyone can enjoy,” said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. “It’s a great family tradition and I guarantee you will be astonished by this hidden gem in our County Parks system.”
The action is all thanks to an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, The Model Railroad Club, Inc. Over the past 40 years The Model Railroad Club has constructed the enormous HO scale layout at its headquarters, the A. Paul Mallery Model Railroad Center. The Mallery Center is located in Lenape Park in Union Township, through an arrangement with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Photo by Ben Martin.
“It is always wonderful to see guests of all ages at our show,” said Bob Nalbone, President of The Model RailRoad Club. “I can’t tell you how many people come up to me and tell me that they’ve been coming for, literally, decades. It spans generations.”
With The Mallery Center’s multi-level design, visitors can stroll above and within the 40’ x 40’ layout while rushing passenger trains and slow freights pass over deep canyons on soaring bridges and through bustling cities, disappear into dark tunnels, and reappear in meticulously crafted landscapes of a central New Jersey – Pennsylvania railway, bringing the region’s agricultural, commercial and industrial past to life.
Visitors can also explore the “bones” of an expansion under way, that will more than double the size of the layout when fully built out. The new section will be 50’ x 80’.
After the show, visitors can explore N scale and G scale layouts at the Mallery Center, refresh themselves at the snack bar, and stock up on train-themed presents for the holidays at the gift shop.
All proceeds from the Holiday Sound and Light Show go to help fund the Railroad Club’s activities, which include hosting public observation days throughout the year.
“Union County is truly fortunate to host this dedicated group of volunteers, and the Freeholder Board is proud to support their efforts,” said Jalloh.
Order tickets in advance and take advantage of the discounted price: $7.00 per adult ages 16-59, $4.00 per child age 3-15, $5.00 for seniors age 60 and up.
Opening Day is Friday November 27, offering special extended hours for the day after Thanksgiving from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.
Shows continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 13.
For a complete schedule and advance ticket information, including convenient online ordering, visit The Model Railroad Club online at tmrci.org.
To purchase tickets in advance in person, come to the ticket window at the Mallery Center from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.
Information by phone is also available on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 908-964-9724, or email info@tmrci.org.
For more photos and videos, visit The Model RailRoad Club on Facebook.
The Model Railroad Club always welcomes new members. It was originally founded in 1949 in the basement of the late Paul Mallery, a pioneer of the hobby of model railroading who established the educational mission of the organization.
Directions: 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 will be at the end of the road.
