Category: Public Info

The Volunteers Guild of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County at 40 Watchung Way, Berkeley Heights will feature the merchandise of The Glove Lady on Thursday, December 16th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The sale will be held in the facility’s multi-purpose room.

The public is invited to attend RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital product sales. A percentage of all purchases made at these sales is credited to the Volunteers Guild. Funds raised are used to enrich the lives of residents and patients by obtaining items that may include prizes for bingo games and paying for entertainment. The Guild, which makes vendor sales possible, also sponsors a holiday party/gift distribution in cooperation with the Berkeley Heights Lions Club.

“Get good values while you support the residents and patients at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital when you shop at RUNNELLS Volunteers Guild sales,” stated Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, liaison to RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital.

The Volunteers Guild and the Office of Volunteer Services of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital are always interested in recruiting volunteers. Flexible hours and a variety of opportunities exist with resident contact as well as performing other tasks. Anyone who would like further information should call the Office of Volunteer Services at 908-771-5847.

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (left) presents a resolution to (from left) Andy, Charles Sr. and Ed Maffey of Maffey’s Security Group in Elizabeth congratulating the family on celebrating the 100th anniversary of their business. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Attention caregivers, do you feel tired? Are you overwhelmed and stressed? Caring for a loved one can bring on those feelings. You are not alone. Become a part of the Caregiver & Alzheimer’s Family Support Group at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County in Berkeley Heights. Get together with others who share your difficulties and receive the reassurance as well as the knowledge that is found in a support group.

The group’s meetings, which are open to the public, are held in Room C318 on the third floor at RUNNELLS on the third Thursday of each month from 1 to 2 p.m. The meetings, facilitated by Liz Carabuena, L.S.W., a RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital licensed social worker, are free of charge for all attendees.

“If you are a caregiver, meet with others in similar situations,” said Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, Freeholder liaison to RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital. The Caregiver & Alzheimer’s Family Support Group at RUNNELLS shares information on dementia related diseases and available resources, researches updates, discusses practical care techniques and presents new ways to cope on a day-to-day basis. An especially important part of the meeting is the time set aside for participants to discuss the frustrations they feel in caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County sponsors the meetings in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater New Jersey Chapter, an organization whose mission is to enhance care and support for individuals, their families and caregivers, and to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research.

The Caregiver & Alzheimer’s Family Support Group at RUNNELLS’ schedule for the remainder of 2010 is – November 18 and December 16.

The Support Group schedule for 2011 is:

January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17 and December 15.

RUNNELLS, Central New Jersey’s premier provider of care for individuals with dementia, also provides long-term, short-term, post acute, palliative and respite care in their nursing care center.

The facility is located at 40 Watchung Way, Berkeley Heights. Anyone who would like further information on this wheelchair accessible program or if you would like to attend, call 908-771-5828.

Early bird shoppers take note…RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital of Union County will be having a super pre-holiday sale sponsored by The Volunteers Guild of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital on Thursday, December 2nd featuring toys, novelty items and gifts and designer-like handbags. The sale will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the facility’s multi-purpose room at 40 Watchung Way in Berkeley Heights.

“You can avoid the holiday mall crowds and enjoy a great selection while you support the residents and patients at RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital,” noted Union County Freeholder Mohamed S. Jalloh, liaison to RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital.

The public is invited to attend RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital product sales. A percentage of all purchases made at these sales is credited to the Volunteers Guild.

Funds raised are used to enrich the lives of residents and patients by obtaining items that may include prizes for bingo games and paying for entertainment. The Guild, which makes vendor sales possible, also sponsors a holiday party/gift distribution in cooperation with the Berkeley Heights Lions Club.

As you start your holiday shopping think about giving the gift of yourself to help others as well. The Volunteers Guild and the Office of Volunteer Services of RUNNELLS Specialized Hospital are always interested in recruiting volunteers. Flexible hours and a variety of opportunities exist with resident contact as well as performing other tasks. Anyone who would like further information should call the Office of Volunteer Services at 908-771-5847.

Union County Freeholder Alexander Mirabella (left) and Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich unveil the sign at the new Union County Sheriff Firearms Training Facility in Springfield. The newly constructed 50-yard firing range compliments the current range and will serve Union County law enforcement agencies as well as many municipal police departments. The Firearms Training Facility is dedicated to retired Elizabeth Police Chief Gene Mirabella who was a marksman. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – Just in time for the winter holidays, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is offering a free class called “Bringing Vegetables to the Table,” conducted by Dr. Karen Ensle, Rutgers University Family and Community Health Sciences Educator. Dr. Ensle will demonstrate fun, easy ways to add more vegetables to your diet. Free tastings are included. The class is scheduled for Tuesday, November 30, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the County services building in Westfield. There is no fee but pre-registration is required by contacting Digna Torres at the Extension, 908-654-9854 or dtorres@ucnj.org

“Vegetables are a perfect solution for hectic holidays,” said Dr. Ensle. “They are inexpensive, nutritious, and easy to prepare, and they provide wonderful new opportunities to add a creative spark to your holiday table.”

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The Rutgers Cooperative Extension is sponsored in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Educational programs are offered to all without regard to race, religion, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

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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 Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds veterans living in Union County that they can receive their free military honorable discharge cards at the County Clerk’s office. The wallet-size card is honored as proof of service in the United States Armed Forces. It can assist veterans in receiving educational benefits, death benefits, licenses, property tax rebates and discounts at certain retailers.

“As we celebrate Veterans Day, we rightfully honor the men and women who selflessly served in our Armed Forces,” Rajoppi said. “This honorable discharge card service is just 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. Benefits from honorable military service are limited to the veteran and their spouse, parents, children, heir or personal representative.

“The distinctive red, white and blue cards have a raised seal certifying proof of recording from the Clerk’s office,” Rajoppi added.

If a veteran’s discharge papers have never been recorded, the original document must be presented at the Union County Clerk’s Office. Documents will be recorded in the Union County Veterans’ Index and the original will be returned to the veteran. Photocopies of Honorable Discharge or DD 214 documents cannot be accepted for recording. If the original documents are lost, veterans can write to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, Missouri 63632. Those who have already recorded their documents in the Clerk’s office can call the office for additional information.

“All veterans can be assured that access to their discharge papers is limited and available only to the veteran, his/her mother, father, wife/husband, brother, sister, child, heir or personal representative,” Rajoppi said. “Veterans’ documents are archived in a secure area and they are not accessible to the public.”

The County Clerk’s Office is located in the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If additional information is needed, please call (908) 527-4787.

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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

Youngsters enjoy making holiday gifts at a workshop hosted by Union County 4-H. This year’s Gift-Making Night will be held on Friday, December 3. The event is open to all children in 1st grade and older. For more information or to pre-register, contact 4-H Secretary Ellen DiIorio at 908-654-9854 or ediiorio@ucnj.org The fee is $10.00 for one child and $5.00 for each additional child in a family.

Easy Holiday Gift-Making for Children

Union County, NJ – Children love to create handmade gifts, and Union County 4-H Holiday Gift-Making Night makes it easy and affordable. Just bring a child, and 4-H will supply all the materials along with instructions and guidance. There are six projects to choose from including a candy-filled snowball, potted plant, snowman ornament, and a puppet. The event includes a refreshment table hosted by the 4-H Teen Council as a fundraising project.

Gift-Making Night will be held on Friday, December 3, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Westfield Community Center, 425 East Broad Street in Westfield. The event is open to all Union County children in 1st grade and older (4-H membership is not required). The fee is $10 for the first child and $5.00 for each additional child. Advance registration is required by contacting 4-H Secretary Ellen DiIorio at 908-654-9854 orediiorio@ucnj.org

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4-H Youth Development programs are made possible through Rutgers University and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on a grade appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. All possible efforts will be made to include rather than exclude youth in events conducted by the 4-H Youth Development Program.

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.

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

Amateur Astronomers, Inc. (AAI), and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders welcome the public to learn how to choose and correctly use a backyard telescope. “Know Your ‘Scope – Know the Sky” is two nights of free lessons and a chance to view the stars through a variety of telescopes.

On Friday night, Nov. 12, from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m., the Amateur Astronomers will gather at William Miller Sperry Observatory on the campus of Union County College, 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, to learn how to select and buy a telescope.

On Saturday night, Nov. 13, from 6:30 – 10 p.m., the group will gather at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside to learn about basic astronomy and how to use different telescopes. There also will be a “Star Party” on Saturday night if the weather is favorable. Pre-registration is required for Saturday night’s activities either in person at the Trailside Visitors Center or by phone at 908-789-3670.

Parking and admission to these events are free of charge.

For information about Amateur Astronomers, Inc., please visit the AAI website: www.asterism.org (click on “events”).

Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road (at Coles Avenue) in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. For more information about upcoming programs and special events at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670 or visit the website:www.ucnj.org/trailside

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-The Union County Sheriff’s Office will be coordinating the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) in Elizabeth and Plainfield on Saturday, November 13. This public health initiative, in partnership with law enforcement, is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and provide disposal of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.

The AMCC is a unified national, statewide, and local focus on the issue of medicine abuse by children and teens.

“Prescription drug abuse is a problem in our country,” said Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich. “This challenge is a great opportunity to help protect our young people from the dangers of any kind of drug, even legal ones that are in our homes.”

The American Medicine Chest Challenge asks residents to take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medicine, lock medicine chests, dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine, follow prescriptions exactly as prescribed and to speak with children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Union County residents may take the AMCC and dispose of unwanted prescription drugs on Saturday, November 13 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Union County Administration Building located at 10 Elizabethtown Plaza in Elizabeth and at the Park/Madison Building at 200 Park Avenue in Plainfield.

“I hope everyone takes advantage of this program to get rid of harmful, unwanted drugs and keep them away from our kids,” added Sheriff Froehlich.

For more information about the AMCC visit www.americanmedicinechestchallenge.com or contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 908-527-4450.

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