Category: Public Info

RAHWAY, NJ – Tennis is a game for all, including people living with disabilities. If you or a family member would like to learn the basics of wheelchair tennis, here’s your opportunity to attend a free clinic on Saturday, September 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Rahway River Park on the border of Rahway and Clark.

Sponsored by the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal in collaboration with the Paralympic Sport Club, the Children’s Lightning Wheels, the Wheelchair Sports Federation and USTA Eastern New Jersey, the three-hour tennis clinic is intended for  athletes, ages 10 years and older, with a physical disability. Participants will learn the basics of wheelchair tennis from Dylan Levine, a Paralympic wheelchair tennis player.

The clinic also is open to coaches, physical education teachers, and anyone who has an interest in learning more about wheelchair tennis and how wheelchair players can be integrated onto an able-bodied team. Parents will have the opportunity to talk to experienced coaches about other sports and learn the value of sports for their children.

There is no fee to attend this clinic, but registration is recommended. For registration information, please contact Trisha Yurochko at Children’s Specialized Hospital, 908-301-5424, email: tyurochko@childrens-specialized.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 .

LINDEN, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that its next mobile paper-shredding program for personal documents will be available on Thursday, September 13, at the Linden Recycling Center.

“Union County’s mobile document-shredding service helps residents fight identity theft and eliminate clutter in their homes,” said Freeholder Christopher Hudak, liaison to the Solid Waste Advisory Council. “It is a cost-effective way to assist our recycling efforts and it ties in with Union County’s other Go Green Initiatives.”

The September 13th shredding event will take place at the Linden Recycling Center located at 2 Donaldson Place in Linden. NEXCUT Shredding of Teaneck will be shredding documents at the site from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. The shredding event will end before 1 p.m. if the shredding truck reaches capacity.

All Union County residents are eligible to use the paper-shredding service. In an effort to accommodate everyone, there is a limit of four 10-pound bags or boxes per person. Documents should not be bound. Please remove plastic binders and paperclips. Paper that is wet/damp will not be accepted. Residents should continue to recycle non-confidential papers and magazines with their municipal recycling program.

Documents are put into 96-gallon containers provided by the shredding company. The items are then dumped onto a conveyor belt and shredded on site. Participants are welcome to view the shredding process via a closed-circuit television. The shredded documents are then recycled, shipped to paper mills and used as pulp. The next shredding event will take place Saturday, Sept. 29th at Warinanco Park in Roselle.

The mobile shredding program is paid for through New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Recycling Enhancement Act Grant Funds. For more information about future events or directions please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889 or visit us online at www.ucnj.org/recycle .

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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 – On August 25th members of the Union County 4H Dog Obedience Club visited the Hunterdon County 4H Dog Contest to cheer on fellow 4H-er Hanarae Force (4th L) of Roselle Park in the Pre-novice Dog Obedience contest. Hanarae and her dog Max won first place. Also pictured are: Assistant Club Leader Carol Fricke (L), of Cranford; Christina Beviano (2nd L), Ashley Fine (3rd L), Club Leader Bryan Johnson (2ndR), and Jaclyn Beviano (R ) all of whom are from Linden.(Photo Courtesy of the Rutgers Extension of Union County)

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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.

“Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.”

Union County – In preparation for the upcoming holiday weekend, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in connection with the Bureau of Mosquito Control, are reminding residents to take precautions against the West Nile Virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, some of the most effective methods to avoid mosquito bites include:

• Use an  EPA-registered insect repellent while enjoying the outdoors.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when weather permits.
• Avoid the outdoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening which are peak mosquito biting times.
• Install or repair window and door screens.

In an effort to curb the insects’ activity for the upcoming long weekend, the Bureau of Mosquito Control will continue its ongoing program of monitoring and control this evening with adulticide sprayings at Oak Ridge and Esposito parks in Clark.

Operations will also be conducted in the residential areas of the following towns: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Union, Westfield.

For a listing of streets included in this evening’s scheduled operations visit www.ucnj.org/mc or call the Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834/654-9873.

For additional information on the West Nile virus visit the CDC’s website, www.cdc.gov.

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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 – Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (L), presents a resolution to Jeri Beaumont R.D. (R ) at her retirement party on August 29 at Mario’s Tutto Bene in Union. The resolution acknowledged Beaumont’s many years of service to the residents of Union County where she served as Nutrition Director with the Department of Human Services since October, 2001.

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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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcomes residents to attend the free Fall Speaker Series addressing alcohol and drug addiction, prevention and treatment. The series is funded by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the Municipal Alliance, and coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services.

The four evening presentations are scheduled for September 19 in Rahway, October 3 in Scotch Plains, October 17 in Cranford, and November 14 in Union.

“The Freeholder Board strongly supports the Municipal Alliance’s citizen volunteers who work at the grassroots level to prevent substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles among children, teens and adults,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Fall Speaker Series will provide valuable knowledge about health and safety issues in an informative yet entertaining way.”

The first three presentations will be made by John Kriger, a popular speaker at national and international conferences who has worked with local, state  and federal agencies, colleges, school districts, corporations, and, non-profits throughout the United States. Mr. Kriger is a professional alcohol and drug counselor, and trainer who addresses individual and family issues in school, at work and at home.  He is the author of The Pond: A Small Book About Big Changes.

Mr. Kriger will present “Family Dynamics of Addiction” on:

• Wednesday, September 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rahway Public Library, 2 City Hall Plaza, Rahway.
• Wednesday, October 3 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, 667 Westfield Road, Scotch Plains.
• On Wednesday, October 17, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mr. Kriger will present “Adolescent Trends: For Adults Only” at the Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford.

The fourth and final presentation will be made by Michael Litterer of Prevention Links. Titled “Prescription 101: Prescription Medication and Heroin Abuse & Addiction,” it will be held on Wednesday, November 14 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kean University’s STEM Auditorium, 1000 Morris Avenue in Union.

Prevention Links is a private, not-for-profit organization based in Roselle, which has taken a leadership role in the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse. The agency’s goal is to provide substance abuse information and resources for individuals, families, schools and businesses throughout Union County.

Prevention Links has also received a state grant through the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), to lead the Health and Wellness Coalition of Union County (HAWC). The HAWC works to promote alcohol and other drug education and addiction prevention within Union County and is comprised of members of the prevention network throughout Union County.

All presentations are free and open to the public.  For more information, call Union County Alliance Coordinator Deborah LaNier, Union County Department of Human Services, Division of Planning, 908-527-4852.

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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, NJ- Union County residents are invited to take part in “MyPlate Makeovers”, a seminar on the importance of following MyPlate guidelines to promote healthy eating habits. The two-hour seminar, developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, will be held Monday, September 19, from 7pm to 9pm in the county services building located at 300 North Ave East in Westfield.

“The MyPlate Makover program is a fantastic way for participants to familiarize themselves with MyPlate guidelines and learn how they can look and feel great by making simple modifications to their meals,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders,  MyPlate Makeovers aims to educate participants on how make healthy meals a part of their total lifestyle by showing them how to prepare enjoyable meals that are low in fat, salt and sugar content.

To register, please contact Judi Laganga at the extension offices at 908-654-9854 or via email atjlaganga@ucnj.org. A $5 fee will be collected at the door and pre-registration is required.

MyPlate is the USDA’s food guidance system comprised of the new MyPlate symbol and other materials to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day. It is designed to remind Americans to eat healthfully and illustrates the five food groups using a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting.

For more information on the MyPlate food guidance system, visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov.

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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. 

“Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director’s Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, 732-932-5000, ext. 584.

Union County, NJ – All business owners and managers in Union County are welcome to attend “Public/Private Partnerships,” a free networking breakfast on doing business with government agencies scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at the Holiday Inn in Clark.

The program is part of the successful Union County Means Business series of free networking breakfasts, designed to help the business community connect with local, state and federal resources that are available to help them grow. The series was launched earlier this year as part of Union County Freeholder Chairman Al Mirabella’s 2012 business initiatives in partnership with Union County business entities, colleges and universities.

Pre-registration is required by visiting ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness, or call the County Manager’s office at 908-527-4200.

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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 – With reports of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus on the rise, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that there are steps they can take to reduce their exposure to mosquito bites.

The Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control has also stepped up its ongoing program of mosquito monitoring and control.

“Mosquitoes emerged much earlier than usual this year, resulting in a larger population,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Bureau of Mosquito Control has been working diligently to bring those numbers down, and the public can help in this effort, too.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the best way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Some of the most effective methods include:

• Use an  EPA-registered insect repellent while enjoying the outdoors.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when weather permits.
• Avoid the outdoors at dawn, dusk and in the early evening which are peak mosquito biting times.
• Install or repair window and door screens.

Mirabella also advised County residents to check their property for places where stagnant water can collect including clogged rain gutters, empty flower pots and children’s toys.

“Mosquitoes only need a small amount of stagnant water to reproduce, so clearing your property of these breeding areas will help keep the population down,” said Mirabella.

The West Nile virus is spread most often by the bite of an infected mosquito, but sometimes can be spread through blood transfusions, organ transplants, breast feeding, and during pregnancy from mother to child. It is not spread by casual touching.

Although most people infected with West Nile show no signs of being ill, symptoms of West Nile can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting swollen lymph glands, and at times a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. The symptoms generally develop between 3 and 14 days after being bitten.

In response to the above-average mosquito population this year, the Bureau of Mosquito control has been working with experts from Rutgers University to develop a response that includes surveillance, trapping and mosquito testing along with exterminating mosquito larvae and adults.

The Bureau of Mosquito Control has increased the number of trucks for adulticide operations, and has added thermal fogging, liquid larviciding by truck-mounted sprayers, and barrier treatments.

The Bureau will continue its efforts this evening with adulticide sprayings at Snyder Avenue Park in Berkeley Heights, and Oak Ridge and Esposito parks in Clark. Operations will also be conducted in the residential areas of the following towns: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Scotch Plains, Union and Winfield Park.

For a listing of streets included in this evening’s scheduled operations visit https://ucnj.org/mc or call the Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control at 908-654-9834/654-9873.

For additional information on the West Nile virus visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile.

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

More than 80 teens from across Union County recently graduated from the Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy, a program designed to familiarize young people with the role of a police officer. Also, it operates similar to an actual police academy for teens interested in law enforcement.

“The Youth Academy aims to teach our kids about law enforcement and it is a great first step for those interested in the field,” Sheriff Ralph Froehlich said during the graduation ceremony. “And from what I heard from these fine young women and men, we succeeded in all of our goals in this program.”

Sheriff Froehlich also thanked the officers from the various law enforcement agencies that participated in the program including the New Jersey State Police, the FBI, the Union County Police Department and the Union County Corrections.

Participants in the Youth Academy received hands-on experience in a wide variety of emergency services and law enforcement functions and training.  In addition, youths have the opportunity to learn respect for law enforcement through positive interaction during their time in the program.

“Showing them the human element of law enforcement helps our young people connect with officers in a way they never thought they could,” the Sheriff added.

The Sheriff’s Youth Academy is not a ‘boot camp’ for troubled youth. In order to enroll in the program, the youngsters must have a minimum GPA of 2.70 (B- average), letters of reference and write an essay explaining why the student would like to attend the Youth Academy.

During the first week of the program, the teens engaged in a physical training regime twice a day while attending lectures on subjects such as crime scene investigations, K-9 and motor vehicle stops. They also received visits from representatives from several branches of the military, New Jersey State Police and the Secret Service.

The second week of the Youth Academy involved class trips to the Union County SWAT Range, the Union County Jail and the State Police Museum in Trenton.

CAPTION: Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich speaks to members of this summer’s Union County Sheriff’s Youth Academy at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains.

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 athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.