Category: Public Info

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that grant-funding opportunities are available through the 2012 Union County History Re-Grant Program, made possible from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. The Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, administrators of the program, is actively seeking applications from Union County-based non-profit groups. Funds must be used in support of an organization’s general operating expenses or a special history project or program.

“Local organizations interested in developing and showcasing Union County’s abundant history are encouraged to apply for funding,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “These include historical societies, historic house museums, libraries, schools and similar groups.”

The two types of grants available have general standards of eligibility as well as specific requirements. The General Operating Support (GOS) Grant provides assistance for the basic costs of operation (e.g. programming, preservation of collections, salaries, marketing, etc.) to Union County-based historical societies, house museums or historic sites only. The maximum GOS grant request is $7,500.

The Special Project (SP) Grant supports history organizations, museums, schools, libraries and similar organizations with collections or programming relating to Union County and New Jersey state history. The maximum grant request is $5,000.

The application deadline is Wednesday, June 20, 2012. The grant period runs from September 1, 2012, through August 31, 2013.

To obtain an application or receive more information, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-436-2912 or 908-558-2550. New Jersey Relay users dial 711. E-mail requests for a writeable Word document (Microsoft Office 2000) toculturalinfo@ucnj.org or ewashington@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.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) presents a resolution in honor of National Prevention Week to (from left) Prevention Links Executive Director Pamela Capaci, Director of Community Prevention Michael Litterer, Coalition Coordinator Charlene Bathelus, Prevention Links Data Analyst Jan Ramos, Prevention Links Coalition Coordinator Michael Capko and Sara Thode, Drug and Alcohol Coordinator for Union County’s Division of Planning. National Prevention Week, May 21-25, 2012, celebrates the work that community organizations and individuals do year round to prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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.
On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders encourages local business owners and managers to attend the fourth session of the Union County Means Business free networking breakfast series on Wednesday, June 6 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Union County College Kellogg Building in midtown Elizabeth.

The topic of this session is “Your Workforce: Incentives, Training and Resources to Develop Current Employees and Find Qualified Employees.”

“Qualified, engaged employees will put your business in a better position to grow as the signs of economic recovery begin to strengthen,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, who initiated the series. “If you own or manage a business in Union County, I encourage you to take advantage of this free opportunity to connect with government programs that can help you recruit, train and motivate your team.”

Union County Means Business is designed to help owners and managers get first-hand information about issues, programs and resources that affect their businesses. The series features expert speakers and local representatives addressing a variety of topics including financing, new media, public/private partnerships and other emerging opportunities.

All Union County Means Business sessions are free but pre-registration is required. To register and to get more details about the June 6 session visit ucnj.org/UCMeansBusiness or call 908-527-4200.

Information on all Union County programs and services is available on the Union County website, 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.

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (L) and Mohamed Jalloh and Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi (2nd R) present a resolution to Roselle Park Clerk Doreen Cali, who also serves as the president of the Union County Municipal Clerks Association, in honor of Municipal Clerks Week at the County Clerk’s annual luncheon. This year’s luncheon was held at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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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.orghttps://ucnj.org.
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebookhttps://ucnj.org/facebook.
On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Vernell Wright presents a resolution to Union Police Director Daniel Zieser in honor of National Police Week during the Township of Union’s Police Awards ceremony.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

WESTFIELD, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will offer free photo ID cards to veterans at the Union County Veterans Job Fair and Resource Event on Wednesday, May 23, at the National Guard Armory at 500 Rahway Avenue in Westfield from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is designed to bring veterans together with more than 50 employers and agencies in an effort to network and make connections for new employment opportunities.

“My Office was one of the first in the state nearly ten years ago to issue free honorable discharge identification cards for veterans as proof of service in the U.S. Armed Forces,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “Now the ID cards will include a photograph for the first time, which can make it easier for veterans to access discount programs and other benefits intended just for them. This service is one way to say thank you and make veterans’ lives a little easier.”

The honorable discharge cards are available to veterans whose Certificate of Honorable Discharge and DD 214 forms are recorded at the Union County Clerk’s office. The card will include the book and page number where the veteran’s information is recorded to validate that the card holder is honorably discharged. It can assist veterans in receiving educational benefits, death benefits, licenses, local property tax rebates and discounts at big retailer box stores when presented with other identification.

If a veteran’s discharge papers have never been recorded, the original documents must be presented to the County Clerk at the Veterans Job Fair on May 23 or at either one the County Clerk’s offices along with another form of photo identification. The documents will be recorded in the Union County Veterans’ Index and the original documents will be returned to the veteran. Photocopies of Honorable Discharge or DD 214 documents cannot be accepted for recording.

The County Clerk’s Office in Westfield, located at 300 North Avenue East, is open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday. The County Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth, located in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street, is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If additional information is needed, please call 908-659-7403.

For additional information about the Veterans’ Job Fair, please contact Elizabeth Sebring of the Union County Department of Human Services at 908-527-4890 or email: esebring@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.

Union County – Veterans and active duty military personnel are reminded to take part in Union County’s Veterans Job Fair and Resource Event on Wednesday, May 23 from 10am to 3pm at the National Guard Armory at 500 Rahway Avenue in Westfield.

The upcoming job fair, which is sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, will bring veterans together with over 50 employers in an effort to network and make connections for new employment opportunities.

Among the participating organizations are:

• Wells Fargo
• Prudential
• Johnson & Johnson
• Panasonic
• Barnabas Health
• NJ Transit
• Helmets to Hardhats (NJ Building and Construction trades)
• Joule Staffing
• PSE&G

With help from partners like the New Jersey Department of Labor, the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Lyons Veterans Administration Medical Center and Investors Bank in Plainfield, the Job Fair is being offered free of charge to veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families.

As part of the event representatives will be on site with information on veterans’ benefits, Social Security, and the GI Bill, as well as other State and County sponsored services. A representative from Lyons VA Medical Center will also be present to conduct health screenings.

For additional information on the Veteran’s Job Fair please contact Elizabeth L. Sebring of the Union County Department of Human Services at (908) 527-4890 or via email at esebring@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 at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella presented Zachary Brooks and his family
with complimentary tickets to the new Union County Sensory Friendly Theater series, in appreciation
for Zachary’s efforts to raise awareness about autism.
(l-r: County Manager Alfred Faella;  Donna Puzella, owner of Sweet Nothings in Summit;
Elisa Brooks; Zachary Brooks; Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella; and
Samson Steinman, Executive Director of the Union County Performing Arts Center).

Union County, NJ – Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella paid a visit to nine-year-old Zachary Brooks of Summit this week to thank him for his efforts to raise awareness about autism. In appreciation for his community service, Chairman Mirabella presented Zachary and his family with tickets to the first performance in the new Union County Sensory Friendly Theater series.

“Zachary has performed an outstanding community service that brings out the best in all of us,” said Chairman Mirabella. “His efforts are truly inspiring.”

The new Sensory Friendly Theater series includes music, dance and theater performances especially designed for children with autism and related disorders to enjoy with their families. It was initiated this year as part of Chairman Mirabella’s 2012 initiatives, with the goal of raising public awareness about autism and helping children with autism participate in community life.

“Cultural enrichment is so important for a young person’s development, and the Sensory Friendly series helps to ensure that the performing arts are accessible in a friendly, judgment-free atmosphere,” said Mirabella.

Zachary, whose twin brother has autism, stepped up this year to help his aunt Donna Puzella in her longtime campaign for autism awareness through her Summit business Sweet Nothings. Zachary has been working to raise funds and to help promote a better understanding of autism.

The Sensory Friendly Theater series is hosted by the historic Union County Performing Arts Center, conveniently located at 1601 Irving Street in the downtown Rahway Arts District.

All performances are designed to keep sound and light at a moderate level. Children may talk or leave their seats during the performances, and if needed they can visit quiet areas set aside in the lobby, where trained staff is available to provide assistance.

The series includes Tom Chapin and Friends on June 10, Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories presented by Pushcart Players on October 7, and Pinocchio presented by the New Jersey Ballet on November 4.

Tickets are affordably priced at $8.00 per person. For more information call the Union County Performing Arts Center at 732-499-8226 or visit ucpac.org.

For information on all Union County programs, events and services visit 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.

The Public Is Invited to “Get Your Nature On!” at 24-hour Event in the Rahway River Parkway

RAHWAY, NJ – Union County offers nature lovers of all ages the opportunity to get up-close and personal with wildlife in their own “backyard” during Bio-Blitz 2012. Beginning on Friday, June 8, at 5 p.m., the annual outdoor event will organize teams of plant and wildlife specialists to scour three sections of Union County’s Rahway River Parkway in Rahway, Clark, Winfield Park and Cranford in search of plants and animals over a 24-hour period.

Volunteer expert and amateur scientists and naturalists are needed to participate as team Bio-Blitz members. To volunteer or to receive a brochure and application, call 908-789-3683. When calling, please specify your level of experience and team preference. Registration may also be done online at the Union County website: www.ucnj.org.

“Although the Rahway River Parkway is surrounded by suburban development, it is a perfect example of how green spaces can provide a haven for people and wildlife,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Bio-Blitz is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the natural places that make Union County a special place to live.”

Plant, fungi, insect, fish, bird, mammal, amphibian and reptile experts, and water monitors (along with amateur naturalists) will collect and identify species from the three sections of parkland. Teams will return to Bio-Blitz Central, an outdoor, tented field lab and exhibit space in Rahway River Park, off St. Georges Avenue in Rahway, to sort and count what they find.

The primary purpose of Bio-Blitz 2012 is to gain a “snapshot” of the biodiversity (or richness of species) in the 384-acre (0.6 square mile) Rahway River Parkway. Another important goal of the event is to raise public awareness of the importance of parkland as wildlife habitat and outdoor classrooms. Rahway River Parkway boasts some excellent floodplain, stream, river, meadow and woodland habitat. Greenways provide valuable habitat, and act as a stopover and wildlife corridor for migratory and resident wildlife, including red tail hawks, screech owls, great horned owls, great egrets, great blue herons, coyotes and foxes.

Free nature-related programs for all ages will be offered throughout the event, including evening programs from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8, and from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. Free shuttle buses will be available to get participants to and from program sites. Programs offered will include: River & Lake Sampling; Owl Prowl; Wild Edible Plant Walk; Fungi Foray; Early Morning Birding, and more. Bio-Blitz Bingo will offer younger “scientists” an opportunity to record their findings and enter a drawing to win nature-related prizes. A Junior Scientist tent will have young naturalists interacting with hands-on activities related to the natural environment.

Bio-Blitz 2012 is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal, Kean University and the Rahway River Association, with partial funding provided by PSE&G. Team volunteers will be fed and “watered” thanks to generous donations from Whole Foods, Starbucks, Muscle Maker Grill, United Rahway Water, ShopRite, and Sports Authority. Additional donations will be provided by the Rahway River Association, Wild Birds Unlimited and other area vendors.

Other partner organizations include the Army Corps of Engineers, Arthur Kill Watershed Association, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Friends of Lenape Park, New Jersey Mycological Association, Newark Museum, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Fish & Wildlife, the NJDEP AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs. Union County’s Trailside Nature & Science Center staff also will be on-hand to offer guided walks and provide live animal exhibits.

For more information or to receive a brochure, call 908-789-3683 and leave your email address. Brochures also will be available at Trailside Nature & Science Center at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

ENJOYING THE GREAT OUTDOORS – Shawn Crouse of NJDEP, Fish & Wildlife, sorts fish caught at Union County’s Bio-Blitz 2011. This year’s event will take place from 5 p.m. Friday, June 8, through 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in three sections of the Rahway River Parkway in Rahway, Clark, Winfield Park and Cranford. For more information, or to volunteer for a Bio-Blitz team, call 908-789-3683, or visit the Union County website: www.ucnj.org. (Photo by Debbie Partesi).