Category: Public Info

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal are pleased to announce the 2013 Wildlife Photography Contest at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside. Amateur photographers, ages 6 through adult, are invited to enter their original photographs of wild animals in their natural habitat.

Individuals may enter a maximum of two photographs, but only images of wildlife species native to the United States are eligible for submission. Images of exotic wildlife, pets or domestic animals will not be considered. Entries must be un-matted, unframed, 5” x 7” black and white or color prints. Entries must be received by Friday, April 12.

“Wild animals are challenging photographic subjects and the Wildlife Photography Contest is a great opportunity for people of all ages to put their skills to the test and attempt to capture animals in their natural habitat,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

Photographs entered into the Wildlife Photography Contest will be judged by local, professional photographers. Prizes will be awarded in each of three age groups: 6 to 11 years, 12 to 17, and 18 and older, based on originality, composition, technical excellence and artistic merit.

Winners will be announced on Sunday, April 28, during Trailside’s Wild Earth Fest. All photographs will be displayed at Trailside’s Visitor Center through May 24.

The winners of last year’s Wildlife Photography Contest included James Caratolozzo of Hillsborough (18 and older) for his photo of a white-tailed deer fawn; Melissa Peterson of New Providence (12 to 17) for her photograph of a laughing gull; and J.T. Bokoske of Kenilworth (6 to 11) for his photograph of a dragonfly.

To obtain a brochure with the complete rules and an entry form for the Wildlife Photography Contest, call Trailside at 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter (2nd L) and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (L) present a resolution to Union County Vocational-Technical Schools students and Schools Superintendent Peter Capodice (R) in honor of “National Career and Technical Education Month.” The students are (from left): Sean Pruszkowski of Union, Eryka Cedano of Roselle, Matthew Stone of Springfield, Kiana Barcelona of Union, Kyra Morling of Fanwood, James L. Grundy III of Plainfield, Hashem Selim of Plainfield, Julia Hodczak of Union, Justin Sitler of Cranford and Kaitlyn Iglesias of Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Since 2002, employees of the County of Union, New Jersey, and their family members have participated in a unique program that gives them the opportunity to display their artistic creations. In its ongoing effort to recognize and encourage creative and artistic accomplishment, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in partnership with The National Arts Program®, is pleased to announce the twelfth annual exhibition of artwork by County of Union workers and their families.

“What a pleasure it is to see the outstanding artwork done by Union County employees and family members,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “Whether they are new artists or people who have exhibited before, the participants display a wide variety of work that always impresses with its quality.”

Entries will be accepted in the categories of painting, photography, artworks on paper, sculpture and crafts. Recognized artists and art professionals will serve as judges, selecting entrants for cash awards and honorable mention in the exhibition’s five artistic classifications: amateur (little or no experience); intermediate (some experience, art students); professional (serious art training or employed in an art related job); teens 13 to 18 years old; and youth age 12 and younger.

“We are happy to extend the invitation to enter the program to retired employees of the County of Union and their families this year,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “We share the goal of The National Arts Program® to reach as many people as possible of all ages, offering them a chance to display their artistic talents in a public exhibition.”

In the adult classifications, each first-place winner will receive $300; second place will receive $200 each; and third place; $100 each. There is one $300 prize for Best in Show. In each youth classification, $75 will go to first-place winners; $50 to second place; and $25 to third place. The prizes are provided by The National Arts Program®.

The National Arts Program® runs 90 annual programs reaching 450 cities in 42 states. The program was conceived in 1983 by Leonard E.B. Andrews (1925-2009), an art collector, publisher, business executive and journalist, “for the encouragement and development of artistic expression.” The National Arts Program® allows artists to upload their artwork, free of charge, to their online Interactive Gallery. To learn more about The National Arts Program® and see photos from past exhibits, or for Union County employees to register online, please visit http://www.nationalartsprogram.org/venues/union-county-nj .

Registration for the art exhibit is required by April 18. Early registration is encouraged.

To request a registration form and further 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 call 711. For more information about programs and activities of the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, visit their web site: https://ucnj.org/cultural .

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter (R) and Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (L) present a resolution to Sean Pruszkowski of Union (3rd L) and Hashem Selim of Plainfield to recognize the week of February 16-23, 2013 as “National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week” throughout Union County. They are joined by Peter Capodice, Superintendent of Union County Vocational-Technical Schools and Bonnie Baldasrae, the Future Farmers of America Advisor at the schools.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a program for adults at Trailside Nature & Science Center in Mountainside entitled “Whimsical Wall Hangings” on Thursday, March 14, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The fee for this program is $15 for Union County residents and $20 for out-of-county participants.

“This engaging and satisfying workshop taps our creativity, while utilizing the natural materials found all around us,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

The workshop, taught by Trailside park naturalist Ruth Yablonsky and exhibit artist Susan Anderson, offers an opportunity to create peaceful, natural wall hangings that will enhance your home. Using dried natural materials, such as goldenrod, wild grasses, dried leaves and grape vines gathered from the Watchung Reservation, participants will make their own unique adornment. Bring your imagination and a glue gun and pruning shears if you have them.

For additional information about this lecture or other adult programs or upcoming events at Trailside, call 908-789-3670 or visit www.ucnj.org/trailside. Trailside Nature & Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Workers installed solar panels on the roof of the Cranford Free Public Library last year. It was one of 31 separate solar installations completed under the Union County Renewable Energy Initiative.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Solar Initiative has just received a 2013 Photovoltaic Project of Distinction Award from two major solar industry organizations, in recognition of its innovative leadership in the solar energy field. Consisting of more than 31 separate solar installations for 15 different public entities, the Solar Initiative is currently the largest public-private solar project of its kind in the country.

The Solar Initiative was completed last fall. Its total capacity is approximately 3,369 kilowatts and it is expected to save taxpayers almost $5 million in electricity costs over the next 15 years.

“We realized from the start that the Solar Initiative would be a legacy project for the people of Union County,” said Charlotte DeFilippo, Executive Director of the Union County Improvement Authority. “For years to come we will all benefit from low cost solar energy and healthier communities.”

The Photovoltaic Project of Distinction Award recognizes projects that serve as role models for the solar industry. Union County’s award is one of only three such awards granted this year by the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Solar Electric Power Association.

“There are tremendous opportunities for growth in the solar industry in Union County, and that translates into job creation as well as a cleaner, healthier environment,” said Linda Carter, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “The Solar Initiative was a highly complex but rewarding project, and The Freeholder Board has been proud to support it.”

Almost all of the Solar Initiative projects are located on the rooftops of schools, libraries, garages and other civic facilities. The exception is one pole-mounted solar installation, located at an athletic field.

Carter noted that all of the installations survived Superstorm Sandy without damage.

“Solar power is durable, reliable and here to stay,” Carter said.

There are larger solar projects in the U.S., but the Solar Initiative is unique in that in brought together more than a dozen different local jurisdictions.

“Because the Improvement Authority used its experience to make all the financial arrangements and standardize the process up front, the local jurisdictions were spared the time and expense of having to reinvent the wheel,” said DeFilippo.

The solar panels were installed under an arrangement called a power purchase agreement (PPA). The PPA model has become common throughout the solar industry.

Under the PPA, the participating public entities paid no money up front for the installations. They were provided by a leading northeast solar company, Tioga Energy.

The participants benefit by paying less for the electricity generated by the solar panels. They pay Tioga Energy approximately half the rate that they would pay for conventional electricity.

Tioga Energy will continue to own, maintain and operate the solar systems for the 15-year length of the agreement.

The participants are: Cranford, Linden, Morris-Union Joint Commission, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Board of Education (BOE), Berkeley Heights BOE, Garwood BOE, Hillside BOE, Roselle Park BOE, Winfield BOE, Union County Community College, and Union County Vo-Tech Schools.

The Union County Improvement Authority is responsible for financing important civic projects that contribute to economic growth and civic well being. Other recent examples include the new Kellogg Building for Union County College in midtown Elizabeth and the new Linden Library.

County Clerk’s Westfield Office Hosts Passport Fair,
Offers 50-Percent Discount on Passport Photos

WESTFIELD, NJ – The Union County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield is hosting a Passport Fair on Saturday, March 9, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to jump-start interest in the warm weather travel season and to provide a full range of passport services with no need for an appointment.

“My office in Westfield is joining with the U.S. Department of State to celebrate ‘Passport Day in the USA’ – a national passport acceptance and outreach event,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “Are you ready for that summer trip you dreamed about all winter? Now is the time to make sure your passport is up-to-date.”

As a special incentive for residents to apply for a passport on Saturday, March 9, the cost of each passport photograph that day will be reduced to $5.00. This half-price photo offer applies only to applicants for a new passport or a passport renewal during the Passport Fair.

To help make “Passport Day in the USA” fun for travelers, special give-away packets of travel tips will be available. County, state and federal elected officials have been invited to attend “Passport Day in the USA” to meet their constituents.

U.S. citizens must present a valid passport book when entering or re-entering the United States by air. U.S. citizens entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean islands and Bermuda at land borders and sea ports of entry must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government.

“Some countries require passports to be valid for an additional three, six or nine months after your visit,” Rajoppi added. “If your passport is due to expire within nine months of your international travel, you should renew your passport to ensure a smoother journey.”

Information about the cost and how to apply for a passport book and/or passport card is available athttp://travel.state.gov. U.S. citizens may also obtain passport information by phone, in English and Spanish, by calling the National Passport Information Center toll-free at 1-877-487-2778.

Passport application forms may be obtained at the County Clerk’s office annex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. Applications for passports and related information also can be found online athttps://ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/Passports. The phone number at the Union County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is 908-654-9859.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that eligible small businesses that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy can still apply for a low interest loan under the Storm Recovery Loan program. This special loan program aims to help local businesses that may not qualify for a conventional loan. The loan limit, which was previously set at $15,000, has also been raised to $25,000.

The Storm Loan Initiative is administered by the nonprofit Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC), made possible by a generous grant from Investors Bank.

“If you have any questions about your eligibility, I encourage you to get in touch with UCEDC and find out if you qualify for a low interest loan,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter. “Thanks to Investors Bank, there is a helping hand for eligible members of Union County’s small business community.”

In addition to the structural damage typically associated with destructive storms, a Storm Recovery Loan can be used to help cover other expenses such as the cost of replacing lost inventory or damaged equipment.

Many small businesses throughout the county have already taken advantage of the program.  A veterinarian in Fanwood, for example, was able to use a Storm Recovery Loan to replace lost medicines and supplies, while an accountant and tax preparer in Linden used it to fill a gap in insurance coverage and replace damaged signage and computer equipment.

To be eligible, applicants must be in business for at two least years and be profitable before Superstorm Sandy struck. The loan program consists of a 2% rate for five years, with no collateral, application or processing fees involved.

For information about the Storm Recovery Loan program and other loan programs at UCEDC, business owners can call 908-527-1166 or visit ucedc.com.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of monoprints by Andrea Epstein of Berkeley Heights in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “Monoprints: Explorations in Printmaking” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until March 28. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Ms. Epstein’s compelling works on display,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “The exhibit demonstrates her mastery of the abstract expressionist tradition.”

Andrea Epstein earned a BFA in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and an MFA from Yale University School of Art. She is certified to teach studio art through the Bank Street College of Education/Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Ms. Epstein’s teaching experience includes: Teaching Assistant, Painting, at RISD and Yale University; Art Instructor, The Hewitt School, NYC; Advisor/Adjunct Instructor in the Parsons Art Education Program; and Owner/Instructor of Andrea’s Art Barn in Maplewood, NJ.

Her many exhibits in the Northeast include: “Artists as Educators,” Parsons School of Design, NYC; Ashawagh Hall, Solo Exhibit, East Hampton, NY; “Pressing Matters,” The Visual Arts Center, Summit, NJ; “Abstraction, A Woman’s View,” The Gaelen Galleries, JCC MetroWest, West Orange, NJ; The Monotype Guild of New England 2010 Juried Exhibition, Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA; and “Paper Work,” Group Exhibition of Printmaking, Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ. Epstein’s work may be seen atwww.andreaepstein.com .

“Although my work is clearly abstract and I intend no literal interpretation, I do consider most of the images to be a sort of inner landscape of the mind,” Ms. Epstein said. “My aim is to create an image that reveals itself slowly over time as opposed to being accessible all at once.”

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

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ – A free workshop about identification and removal of emergent aquatic invasive plants will be held on Friday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Union County Engineering Building located at 2325 South Avenue in Scotch Plains. The program is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in partnership with the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team (NJISST) and the New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program, through AmeriCorps and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Melissa Almendinger, executive director of NJISST, will present the two-hour training program. Attendees will be taught to identify target aquatic species, collect and report data to NJISST’s database, and remove specific types of aquatic invasive plants.

“This training will make participants more aware of some of the invasive plants appearing in Union County’s park system and what they can do to help prevent them from spreading,” said Freeholder Chairman Linda Carter.

An invasive species is a non-native organism that causes harm to the environment, human health or the economy. They interrupt the natural functions of an ecosystem by impacting native plants and animals. Overall, invasive species place a tremendous burden on natural resources and are considered to be the greatest threat to global biodiversity, second only to outright habitat destruction.

Invasive aquatic plants spread quickly and discourage the growth of native plants, vastly affecting our ecosystems. NJISST uses the method of Early Detection and Rapid Response to find and destroy new populations of invasive plants, animals and pathogens before they become widespread and cause significant ecological damage.

Registration for the free training workshop is limited and required. Contact Matthew Popin atwatershed7@ucnj.org or call 908-789-3209. For more information visit www.njisst.org. For information about how to participate in Union County’s Adopt-A-Park or Trail Program, visit www.ucnj.org.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .