Category: Public Info

Union County, NJ – Just in time to jumpstart spring, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders has introduced the “Spring 2012 Small Steps to Health and Wealth Challenge.”  The free six-week program, open to all Union County residents, is an online learning experience developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It kicks off on from Sunday, April 15th and lasts through Saturday, May 26, 2012.

“By allowing you to break up your goals into daily actions, the Spring Challenge is a wonderful way to begin or continue your journey towards a healthier, financially secure life,” noted Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support this beneficial program.”

The Spring Challenge is part of Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ (SSHW), a national Cooperative Extension program built around a framework of 25 research-based behavior change strategies.

The “Spring 2012 SSHW Challenge” is based on the performance of ten recommended practices on a daily basis: five that involve health and nutrition and five that involve financial management. Participants can also replace one daily health activity and one daily personal finance activity with a unique daily personal challenge of their own.

“Doing even one of the ten recommended daily practices is a great way to get started,” said Dr. Karen Ensle, RD, Rutgers professor and Family and Community Health Sciences Educator for the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. Dr. Ensle developed the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™ program with Dr. Barbara O’Neill CFP, also of Rutgers.

As part of the challenge, points are assigned for each completed action, which can be entered online. The point system allows for a total of 700 points per week and a possible challenge-wide total of 4,200 points. Prizes will be awarded to those who report the highest point totals.

Participants can also track and compare their personal progress with the average scores of others taking part in the challenge using the bar graph on the website.

To sign up for the SSHW Challenge, follow the “Challenges” link on the Small Steps to Health and Wealth™Web site at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/.  Set up a user name and password and download a simple one-page user’s guide with instructions on how to proceed. Enroll in the Challenge titled “Spring 2012 SSHW Challenge.” Paper tracking forms can be downloaded to keep track of daily activities until they are entered online.

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. To contact the Union County Extension by phone, call 908-654-9854

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastion 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.”

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds anyone interested in running for school board that the annual Board of Education elections in Union County this year will be held on Tuesday, November 6, General Election Day, and that school board candidates must file their nominating petitions in her office by Tuesday, June 5.

Legislation signed by Governor Christie in January gave communities the option to change the date of their annual school board elections from April to November. All local Union County school districts have opted to move their elections to Nov. 6 this year. Unlike former years, the nominating petitions for local Board of Education candidates now must be filed with the County Clerk’s Office.

“As a former school board member myself, I want to make sure that candidates for Board of Education positions have all the information they need to file their nominating petitions on time so that their name will appear on the General Election ballot,” Ms. Rajoppi said. “School Board candidates must file their nominating petitions at the County Clerk’s Office by the deadline of Tuesday, June 5, before 4:00 p.m.”

The County Clerk’s Office has created an entire web page of School Board Election Information where pertinent details, qualifications and instructions about the Board of Education election can be found. Visit the County Clerk’s website: www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk/ and click on “Elections.”

A candidate petition form can be obtained by calling the County Clerk’s Office at 908-527-4996 or by visiting the office at 2 Broad Street, Room 113, Elizabeth NJ 07207. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, email: LBobish@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 – Union County schools can celebrate Arbor Day with a free ornamental pear tree from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Available on April 17th and 18th following a training seminar from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Williams Nursery on Springfield Ave in Westfield, the white flowering trees can be used by schools to beautify their grounds and provide shade.

“We hope that the schools will involve students and parents in planting the trees on their grounds,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, “It’s a great way for people to learn how important they are to our environment.”

Training for students and accompanying adults will be provided by members of the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board. Participants will learn how to effectively plant and care for the 5-6 foot tall trees. Schools may attend on either day and students in 3rd grade and older are welcome.

The pear trees are donated by the Union County Freeholder Board through Williams Nursery, while training sessions are sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with support from the Shade Tree Advisory Board.

Trees will be given on a first come first served basis while supplies last. To register, or to receive a tree without attending the training session, please contact Barbara Knapp at 908-789-3653 or via email atbknapp@ucnj.org.

For additional information, contact Rutgers Extension agent James Nichandowicz at 908-654-9854 or by email at Nichandowicz@aesop.rutgers.edu.

In addition to Arbor Day donations, Union County supports local tree planting efforts through the Greening Union County grant program, which provides matching funds for municipal trees.

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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.”

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings and textile designs by Cranford artist Dianna Strom 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 “Floral Impressions” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until June 1. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are delighted to display Dianna Strom’s beautiful floral paintings and fabrics,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board. “I have had the pleasure of viewing Dianna’s creations a number of times in recent years. The quality of her work is well known in this area, and we are very glad to present it at the Pearl Street Gallery,”

Dianna Strom earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Textiles and Clothing from the University of Delaware. She has 13 years of experience in the fashion industry as assistant director of color and print design for a major textile company, Allied Chemical, and as a fabric stylist at Dan River, both in New York City. Diana has studied art with Rosemary Gatto in Cranford, Lito David and Fernando Catague at the Visual Arts Center in Summit, and with Carolyn Herbert at Union County College.

For the past 15 years, Ms. Strom has run a home decorating business creating custom pillow designs and floral watercolor paintings. She also creates and sells custom fabric artwear at juried craft shows including the Pierro Gallery in South Orange, and the 2003 Millburn Art Association Fall Craft Show. Dianna also sold her artwear at the 2001 Trunk Show at Henri Bendels in New York City, and has shown at the Cranford Artist Open Studio Tour and the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey Member Show.

In 2009, Dianna won first place (textile design) and in 2011 a third place prize (watercolor painting) in the National Arts Program® Exhibit and Contest for Union County Employees and Their Families. Her husband, Dr. B. Ivan Strom, is a Professor of Astronomy at Union County College in Cranford.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. 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.

Union County, NJ – As part of his initiatives for 2012, Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella today announced the creation of the new Sensory Friendly Theater series of performances specially designed for children with autism and related disabilities at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, commencing Autism Awareness month in the U.S.

“Exposure to the arts is an important way to help enrich the quality of life for young Union County residents who need special care and attention,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “This series will enable youngsters to enjoy live performances with their families in a calming, supportive atmosphere.”

Expanding public recreation opportunities for children with autism and other disabilities is one of the Freeholder Chairman’s 2012 “Putting People First” initiatives.

The new series, which begins on June 10 with Tom Chapin and Friends, is designed according to guidelines that help to reduce disturbances for youngsters who experience heightened sensory sensitivity. The Performing Arts Center is committed to a creating a judgment-free zone with plenty of trained specialists who understand autism and similar disabilities.

“The idea is to create an event that engages and celebrates individuals with autism and their families,” said Mirabella, noting the series is the result of a collaboration between the County Parks Division and the Union County Performing Arts Center.

Paper Mill Playhouse and the Children’s Specialized Hospital also assisted in making the program possible.

To design the series, Union County worked with Autism Friendly Spaces, LLC an organization that helps people with autism and their families partake in community activities.

The series of three performances 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.  All shows begin at 2 p.m.

Part of the cost of the series has been offset with County funding, helping to keep the price of admission affordable. All seats are $8 per person.

The Union County Performing Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation operating in the historic Rahway Theatre.  Conveniently located in downtown Rahway at 1601 Irving Street, this historic landmark is the cornerstone of the Rahway Arts District. The theater is a beautifully restored 1920’s era former vaudeville house and movie palace owned by the County of Union and managed by the nonprofit Union County Performing Arts Center.

For information on the Sensory Friendly Theater series visit theSensory Friendly Theater web page or call the UC PAC box office, 732-499-8226. Information on all events and activities at UC PAC visit ucpac.org.

Union County, NJ – Registration has been extended for the Union County Freeholder Board’s popular, free networking breakfast series. Called “The Dollars and $ense of Funding Your Business,” the event hosted in part by TD Bank,  will be held at L’Affaire, 1099 Route 22 in Mountainside on Wednesday, April 4 starting at 7:45 a.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts from the US Small Business Administration, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and TD Bank among others, and will learn how small business and prospective business owners can tap into alternate sources of capital when conventional lending sources are unavailable.

Pre-registration is required by visiting ucnj.org/ucmeansbusiness, or call Union County at
908-527-4200; space is limited.

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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 Vernell Wright (L) and Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L) join (from 3rd L) Walter Kreher from U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Rahway Mayor Rick Proctor, Dr. Phillip Frese, President of the Domus Corporation, Msgr. Christopher Hynes from the Archdiocese of Newark and Rahway Councilman David Brown in breaking ground for the Melvin & Margaret Myers Senior Residence facility located on Esterbrook Avenue in Rahway. The new facility is a HUD 202 project of Domus Housing Corp. and will be a contemporary four story senior residence that will offer affordable and brand new apartment living open to local qualified individuals. The County of Union provided partial funding for the project through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Home Investment Partnerships Program. (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 atwww.ucnj.org
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Daniel Sullivan (red shirt) joined Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, City Council members, young athletes and their families at the ribbon cutting officially opening the new synthetic fields at the Waterfront Athletic Fields on Front Street in Elizabeth. Partial funding of $500,000 was provided by the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund.  (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 atwww.ucnj.org
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella (L) and Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski (2nd L), Angel G. Estrada (5thR), Vernell Wright (3rd R) and Christopher Hudak (R) join Linden Mayor Richard Gerbounka and Fire Chief Joseph Rizzo as they cut the ribbon officially reopening Fire Station No. 4 on South Wood Avenue in Linden. Assemblywoman Linda Stender (2nd R) and Union County Improvement Authority Chairman Anthony Scutari (4th L), Vice Chairman Carolyn Vollero (3rd L), Commissioners Sebastian D’Elia and Cherron Rountree (back center) and Linden Councilwoman Michele Yamakaitis (4th R) also attended the ceremony. The renovation project was a joint venture between the Union County Improvement Authority and the City of Linden.  (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 atwww.ucnj.org
On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

Union County – Spaces are still available for the free tree planting event sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County with help from the Board of Chosen Freeholders,  at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on April 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Participants will learn the basics of tree care while helping to plant 20 flowering crabapple trees in the park.

The program is free and open to adults and children 3rd grade and older. Pre-registration is required by contacting the Rutgers Cooperative Extension 4-H Program at 908-654-9854 or via email at Nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.

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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.

“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.”