Category: Public Info

Students from St. Genevieve School in Elizabeth sing Christmas Carols around the tree in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

Janet Somers and “Hanno,” her Great Dane, greeted workers from the County of Union at the Somers family home before the blue spruce was moved to the County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth has its new Christmas tree. A beautiful blue spruce tree donated by the Somers family of Union adorns the Courthouse Rotunda for the rest of December.

“This is a holiday tradition that many people in Union County look forward to,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel Sullivan. “We appreciate the donation of the tree from the Somers family. It will make a great centerpiece for our Christmas carol sing-along on Thursday, Dec. 23rd.”

For 54 years, Union County has chosen an evergreen tree to stand in the Courthouse Rotunda during the holiday season. This year’s tree was donated by Linda and Janet Somers in memory of their father, Richard Somers, a long-time resident of Union.

“My father planted this tree more than 27 years ago,” said Janet Somers. “If he was still alive he’d like to give something back to help cheer up people, especially in these hard times.”

On Monday, Dec. 13, a crew from the Union County Shade Tree Bureau went to Union to cut the tree and load it onto a flatbed truck. When the tree reached the courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth, a crane hoisted it onto the front steps.

“Moving the tree from the truck into the building is quite an event,” said Chairman Sullivan. “It takes a skilled crew with a lot of patience.”

Once inside the courthouse rotunda, the tree was lifted into a barrel stand weighed down with concrete. Then the process of adding lights and ornaments began. The tree required about 25 strands of lights. The public is invited to view the tree on weekdays until it is removed just before New Year’s Day.

The public also is invited to participate in a holiday sing-along on Thursday, Dec. 23, at 10:30 a.m., hosted by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich (3rd L), Sgt. Marianne Hopko (L) and Officer Kim Weber thank Sal Puleo, Sr. (3rd R) and his sons Joe and Sal (R), the owners of the National Tree Company in Cranford, for their donation of several Christmas trees to the Union County Sheriff’s Officers “Tree of Hope” holiday drive for needy children. Contributions of money (tax-deductible), toys and clothing can be sent to: Union County Sheriff’s Officers “Tree of Hope,” Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N.J., 07207. For more information, call the “Tree of Hope” hotline at 908-629-2158. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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

ROSELLE, N.J. – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announces that the 28th Annual George T. Cron High School Hockey Tournament will conclude Wednesday evening, December 15, at the Warinanco Ice Skating Center in Roselle. Four of the best high school hockey teams in New Jersey will compete at the Warinanco rink, located in Warinanco Park, a facility of the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

The Final Round schedule is as follows:

• 6:00 p.m.: Cranford (3-2) vs. Mendham (3-2)
• 8:30 p.m.: Westfield (4-0) vs. Morris Knolls (4-0).

Spectator admission to the tournament is $4.00 for adults and $3.00 for youths 17 years of age and under.

The Warinanco Ice Skating Center is located off Thompson and Seventh avenues in Roselle and can also be approached from the St. Georges Avenue and Park Street entrances to Warinanco Park. For further directions and recorded information about skating classes, hockey clinics and special events at the Warinanco Ice Skating Center, please call 908-298-7850.

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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 – Freeholder Board Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan reminded seniors that Union County College offers free classes in its Senior Scholars community enrichment program. Registration for the spring 2011 session begins Wednesday, December 15.

The spring session includes many computer-related subjects and visual arts courses, along with cooking, dance, and special interest topics. New offerings include the popular Zumba Latin dance program, a book club, and a birding course.

Classes begin during the third week of January. Participation is limited to residents of Union County age sixty and older.

“Union County College is an outstanding community resource, and the Senior Scholars program helps to ensure that our seniors have an opportunity to update their skills, enrich their knowledge, or enjoy a relaxing hobby,” said Sullivan.

Registration is required in person, at Union County College offices:

Main Campus, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (summer hours are Monday through Thursday only, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.).

Elizabeth Campus, 40 West Jersey Street, Elizabeth: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (summer hours are Monday through Thursday only, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).

For more information visit the Union County College Department of Continuing Education,www.ucc.edu/ContinuingEducation

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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 – With a few basic guidelines in mind, Union County residents can keep holiday expenses down while helping to improve safety on the roads and at home.

“We want everyone to have a pleasant, relaxing holiday season,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “By taking time to plan ahead, you can save money, help prevent accidents, and avoid theft and other unfortunate situations.”

Sullivan reminded Union County residents that the Union County Office of Consumer Affairs is available to answer questions about consumer products and services, at 908-654-9840. All voice messages are answered promptly.

Holiday Tips:

“Driving Green” saves up to 30% on gas while helping to prevent traffic accidents. The basics are: observe posted speed limits, don’t tailgate or weave, avoid jackrabbit starts, and don’t idle while parked or waiting for drive-through service (after just 15 seconds, idling uses more gas than shutting off and restarting the engine).

Avoid losing your purse or wallet by planning ahead to shop leisurely. Rushing from store to store makes you more vulnerable to pickpockets and scams. Rushing can also lead to other problems such as losing car keys, getting shortchanged, or leaving new purchases behind.

Lower the risk of fire, by checking tree lights and ornaments for signs of wear. Be extremely careful when using candles, fireplaces, oil lanterns, and kerosene heaters. Always keep gift wrap away from these fire hazards (used gift wrap, boxes, cards, and other paper goods should be disposed with your mixed paper recycling).

Prevent gift-related accidents involving children, by purchasing or donating toys clearly marked with an age appropriate label. These labels are designed to help prevent injury and death, especially from choking.

Entertain on a budget by serving more fruits and vegetables, and fewer packaged snacks. For a free online course on nutritious budgeting, visit the Rutgers University “Small Steps to Health and Wealth” program,http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/.
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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 – With the first code blue weather of the season, the Blank-Fest V music benefit for the homeless is even more important. Fashioned after the original Blank-Fest, which has been taking place in Nyack, N.Y. since 1997, Blank-Fest New Jersey will be celebrating its 5th year.

Blank-Fest New Jersey is an event aimed at keeping the homeless warm through its effective collection and distribution of blankets. All proceeds from this benefit concert will raise blankets and coats for the homeless that will be distributed throughout the state at Project Homeless Connect events and throughout the County of Union on January 26, 2011. “This is a wonderful event that assists in Union County’s ability to collaborate with the various agencies in keeping the homeless warm and sheltered,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan.

“In these tough times, I believe we all understand how important it is to help those less fortunate than ourselves,” says Blank-Fest founder Kenn Rowell. “But many of us are also feeling the economic pinch, and money is hard to come by. This is a great, inexpensive way to help someone in need.”

On Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 12 noon, a gathering of some of the top New Jersey musicians will perform for this worthy cause at The Crossroads, 78 North Avenue, Garwood, NJ. The suggested price of admission, for this “noon ’til closing” benefit concert, is a blanket although coats and cash donations will also be accepted.

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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 – Managing and growing a business in these turbulent times is no easy task. Knowing how and when to obtain the right kind of financing is crucial to the small business owner, whether start-up or established. These are just some of the topics to be addressed through the 2011 Winter Small Business Certificate Series.

“The seminars serve to train tomorrow’s new generation of business owners,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. “This is the type of economic development-related service we envisioned for the Park Madison building in Plainfield.”

While presented by the NJ Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Kean University, the workshops are held at the Union County Resource Center in the Park Madison Complex, 200 W. Second Street, Plainfield. The six-series workshops are held on Friday mornings, beginning on January 14, 2011 through February 18, 2011. Pre-registration is required by calling the SBDC at Kean University at 908-737-4220.

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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 Daniel Sullivan (L) and Freeholder Vice Chairman Deborah Scanlon (R) congratulate and commend Union County Vocational-Technical School (UCVTS) “Relay for Life” participants for their outstanding accomplishments and achievements in doing their part to help find a cure for cancer. Representing the UCVTS “Relay for Life” team are students (from left) Dylan Lang of Kenilworth, Stephen Esteves of Elizabeth and Julia Torsiello of New Providence. They are joined by UCVTS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bistocchi and Debi LeBrun, advisor to the Community Service Club. The UCTVS “Relay for Life” team raised more than $140,000 for cancer research from the event that is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. (Photo by Jim Lowney of Union)

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

ELIZABETH, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to offer a free 2011 wall calendar that honors the activities of County Clerks throughout Union County’s history and includes important dates of concern to voters and candidates for office in upcoming state and local elections.

“Union County – which was part of Essex County until 1857 – is a Who’s Who of historically significant figures,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “It is my hope that this 2011 calendar, with its vintage photographs and drawings, honors the memory of the men and women who have served the people of the Union County area so well since the 18th century.”

In addition to 12 photographs of those who have served as Union County Clerk since 1857, the calendar includes pictures of the first Union County Courthouse, originally built in 1811 as the Elizabeth City Hall, and scenes of various Clerks performing their official functions.

Since 2011 is a year of elections to the New Jersey State Legislature as well as to county, school board and municipal offices, the calendar highlights many important dates relating to voter registration, mail-in ballots, candidate petition deadlines, primary elections, campaign finance reports, and general election ballot deadlines.

To obtain one of the 2011 Election Year calendars, visit the Union County Clerk’s web site:www.ucnj.org/government/county-clerk where you’ll find an order form. For general information about elections, please contact the County Clerk’s Election Office at 908-527-4996.

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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 .