Tag: chairman granados

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the opening of a new senior café in Scotch Plains on Tuesday, May 1 at the Shady Rest Clubhouse at the Scotch Hills Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Road. The historic site is a meeting place for Scotch Plains seniors, and is currently owned by the Township of Scotch Plains. Built in the 1920’s, it was the first African-American owned golf course in the United States. 

Seniors are invited to come to the opening of the café on Tuesday, May 1 for lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Food will be served until at approximately 12:15 p.m. The lunches will then continue to be served once a week—weekly on Tuesdays, during the same time span.

“This is the 24th group meal site for senior adults, age 60 and older, in Union County and it is open to seniors from any of the 21 municipalities in the County,” stated Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. “We are pleased to offer new places for our seniors to meet and share lunch together. A nutritionally balanced lunch will be served with the help of local volunteers.”

Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith said, “As Mayor, and on behalf of the entire Council, I am proud to continue our commitment to serve all seniors with well-rounded programming to address their needs. The Senior Café is a wonderful addition to the programing provided through the Township for seniors. I look forward to attending some of the lunches myself!”

Freeholder Al Mirabella, also Scotch Plains Municipal Manager, noted: “The Township of Scotch Plains is always looking for ways to expand our programming for our Senior Citizens. This weekly nutrition program, held in the newly refurbished Shady Rest, is a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to meet, socialize and share a meal.” 

The program will be run by Scotch Plains, under the supervision of County officials. The meals, which are paid through Federal grant funds, consist of a hot protein entre, vegetable or salad, potato, pasta or rice, bread, milk, and soup or juice.

The suggested donation is $1.75 per meal.  If one person in a couple is under age 60, the suggested donation is $4.00.

Countywide in 2017, the Union County Division on Aging delivered 166,835 group meals at 23 senior sites. Another 224,337 “Meals on Wheels” meals were delivered to the homes of the frail elderly, for a total of 391,172 meals.

A nutritionist in the Division on Aging designs meals that meet healthy nutrient requirements, also known as the Recommended Dietary Allowance. In addition, the nutritionist provides health and wellness presentations about food choices, physical activity, and seasonal produce.

For further information about nutrition programs offered by the Division on Aging, contact Kathleen Malkiewicz by phone at 908-527-4877 or by email at kmalkiewicz@ucnj.org.

For information about all services and programs for seniors and their families visit ucnj.org/aging.

This year’s event includes celebration of African-American history and culture

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites music fans of all ages to Rhythm and Blues by the Brook, a free outdoor music festival to be held at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield, rain or shine, on Saturday, June 2 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.

Headlining the event is the beloved funk, soul and R&B band Ohio Players, best known for their monster hits Fire, Love Rollercoaster and Funky Worm.

“Rhythm and Blues by the Brook kicks off a season full of free concerts, movies and other outdoor activities in Union County parks sponsored by the Freeholder Board,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We encourage residents and visitors throughout Union County to come together and enjoy these community events, which are free and open to all.”

“Cedar Brook Park is a jewel in the crown for Union County and the City of Plainfield. The Rhythm and Blues by the Brook festival is an opportunity for our residents to get together with friends and family for an afternoon of music, community and healthy outdoor fun,” said Freeholder Linda Carter, a lifelong resident of Plainfield.

The Ohio Players have been described as “an American national treasure,” and “a band that truly broke the mold and changed the face of music forever:”

In their heyday the Ohio Players produced 17 Top 40 hits, with several platinum and gold selling albums, after which the “funkiest band on Earth” continued to influence some of the biggest names in music including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Beastie Boys, Mary J Blige and many more. They were inducted into the first class of the Official R&B Music Hall of Fame in 2013, and last year they released their first new music in almost 30 years.

This year’s Rhythm and Blues by the Brook will run from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with DJ Bookeem serving as the MC throughout the day.

As always, Rhythm and Blues by the Brook will feature free children’s activities including inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo.

A special feature this year will be the American Legacy “Know Your History” mobile truck exhibit of African-American history and culture. Sponsored by the City of Plainfield, the mobile truck is an 18-wheeler transformed into a history museum focusing on the milestones and newsmakers of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, including artifacts, memorabilia, photographs and artworks.

The first concert begins at 12:30 p.m. with Angela Johnson and continues with Funky Dawgz Brass Band at 1:45 p.m.

The Funky Dawgz Brass Band is an eight-piece horn band that frequently tours the country with performers like We the Kings, Dispatch, The Soul Rebels, Snarky Puppy and more.

At 3:15 the Dazz Band takes the stage. The Dazz Band is a Grammy Award-winning R&B funk band from Cleveland, Ohio most known for their hit song Let it Whip!

The festivities continue as The Ohio Players take the stage at 4:45 p.m.

The event also includes a marketplace featuring food vendors, a free car show presented by G-Wiz, and a health and wellness fair by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

For more information about Rhythm and Blues by the Brook and Cedar Brook Park, please call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900 or visit ucnj.org/parks.

 

#  #

 

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Linda Carter present resolutions to TAPinto Roselle/Roselle Park and TAPinto Elizabeth Publisher Kathy Lloyd, Plainfield Councilwoman Rebecca Williams and Union County College Gay-Straight Alliance President Tiffany Santana in honor of Union County recognizing Thursday, April 26, 2018 as “Lesbian Visibility Day.” They were joined by Union County Office of LGBTQ Services Coordinator Danni Newbury and Union County Office on Women Coordinator Jennifer Erdos. The Freeholder Board supports a day of visibility for individuals such as these women who have carved their way through uncharted territories spreading awareness and providing support and advocacy to Union County’s lesbian community. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a total of 18 new miles of County roads will be repaved this season in 14 municipalities. Work will begin later this summer.

“Keeping our roads in top condition ensures our residents and those traveling through our area a safe and enjoyable driving experience,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.  “Union County is one of the region’s most powerful and effective transportation hubs, and we aim to keep it that way.”

Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski, who heads the Public Works and Facilities Freeholder Committee, added:  “The County maintains more than 174 miles of roadway. Resurfacing makes our roadways not only safer to navigate for both drivers and pedestrians, but also more efficient.”

The 2018 Roads Resurfacing program will begin later this summer after the County completes the 2017 Roads Resurfacing program.

The 2018 Road Resurfacing program will cost approximately $7.5 million, with an approximate 50-50 funding split between the County and the State Transportation Trust Fund.

The work will be conducted at night when possible, in order to minimize the need for detours during peak travel periods.

The roads scheduled for resurfacing in 2018 are:

Municipality	Street	From	To
Berkeley Heights	Mountain Avenue	Horseshoe	Diamond Hill Road
Clark/Scotch Plains	Martine/Lake Ave	Raritan Road	Oak Ridge Road
Fanwood/Scotch	North & Midway	Terrill Road	E. Broad Street
Hillside	Liberty Avenue	Conant Street	Hillside Ave
Linden/Roselle	Wood Avenue	Raritan Road	Route 27
Mountainside/Springfield	Summit Road	Route 78	Route 22
New Providence	South Street	Springfield	Mountain Avenue
Plainfield	E. 7th Street	Roosevelt	Terrill Road
Rahway	Lawrence Street	E. Grand Ave	Woodbridge  Road
Rahway	Grand Avenue	Route 27	Route 1& 9
Summit	River Rd	County	JFK Parkway
Union	Stuyvesant	Vaux Hall Road	Essex County Line

For up-to-date information on road closures and other travel advisories related to County road and bridge projects, visit the interactive Road Construction Update page at ucnj.org/traffic.

To report potholes on County roads, use the convenient online form at ucnj.org/pothole.

 Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free workshop on Thursday evening, May 17, will explain the application process for the 2018 Union County HEART (History, Education, Arts, Reaching Thousands) Grant Program and the Union County 2019 Local Arts Grant Program.

The workshop will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Museum, Wagon Shed Building, 1003 Morris Avenue in Union Township. The workshop is free of charge, but pre-registration is suggested.

“The response to our grant programs has been enthusiastic and inspiring in past years, and we are very excited about the upcoming season,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our grant recipients represent a full spectrum of creative endeavor, and these programs enable them to provide the benefits of enrichment through the arts to thousands of Union County residents each year.”

“This workshop helps individuals, non-profit groups and arts organizations craft grant proposals that include all of the necessary elements, including project descriptions and budgets,” said Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen, liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Programs Advisory Board.  

The workshop will explain the application process for both programs. The 2018 HEART grant is for projects related to local history, the arts or humanities undertaken by non-profit organizations, individual artists and scholars and is funded through the Freeholder Board. The Union County 2019 Local Arts Grant Program is for arts organizations or arts projects produced by non-arts organizations.

Funds for the Local Arts Program are made available through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Projects eligible for consideration for 2018 HEART grants must take place between September 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Organizations eligible for consideration for 2019 Local Arts Program grants must conduct arts activities taking place between January 1 and December 31, 2019.

The application deadline for both grant programs is June 22, 2018.

To pre-register or obtain additional information about the workshop, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone: 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users dial 711, or E-mail: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi is pleased to announce that Vote-By-Mail ballots will be available in Westfield and Elizabeth beginning on Tuesday, May 1 for the 2018 Primary Election.

The US Senate and House of Representatives will top this year’s Primary election to be held on Tuesday, June 5. County Freeholders and local municipal elections also will be on the ballot.

“I strongly encourage voters to use a Vote-By-Mail ballot, in order to ensure that their voice is heard on Election Day,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “This year is especially important because voters will decide on candidates for US Congress, and the Vote-By-Mail ballot eliminates any uncertainty or difficulty in getting to the polls.”

The options to receive an application for a Vote-By-Mail ballot in Union County are:

Have an application form mailed to you.  Call the County Clerk’s Election Division at 908-527-4996 in order to have a form mailed to you, or request one through the County Clerk’s free Union County Votes mobile app.

Download a form and print it out. Applications for Vote-By-Mail ballots are available for download from the County Clerk’s website at unioncountyvotes.com. The application must be received in the office by May 29 to be valid for the Primary Election.

Pick up a form in person at the County Clerk’s Elizabeth or Westfield offices.  Voters picking up their application form in person may do so until 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 4.

In-person applicants can use the County Clerk’s convenient One-Stop service to fill out their application, submit it, receive their ballot and cast it in a secure box in one visit.  The One-Stop service is available at both the Elizabeth and Westfield offices.

Under new state law, voters who use the One-Stop service must present a current New Jersey driver’s license or New Jersey State issued identification card that provides their name, address and photo.

The County Clerk’s Westfield Annex is located in the Colleen Fraser Building at 300 North Avenue East, in Westfield, Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Main Office of the County Clerk is located at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth at 2 Broad Street, Room 113. Regular office hours in Elizabeth are Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

As an added convenience for voters, the Elizabeth office has added an extra day of service before Primary Day.  It will be open on Saturday, June 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The Westfield office will also be open for its regular Saturday hours on June 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Voters who choose to cast their Vote-By-Mail ballot by mail are advised to allow at least 3-5 days for delivery, to ensure that it is received by the close of the polls on Election Day.

 

#  #

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

 

Union County, NJ — A long winter is setting the stage for a promising summer growing season, and gardening enthusiasts can stock up on plants, seedlings and other supplies at the 29th annual Master Gardeners of Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale.

The Spring Garden Fair takes place this year on Sunday May 20, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Union County Demonstration Garden, located by the Trailside Nature and Science Center in the Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

“The Spring Garden Fair is a fun, inspiring and educational way to kick off the growing season,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Come and stock up on plants and other supplies for a healthy, beautiful yard or garden, and get expert guidance from the Master Gardeners of Union County.”

As always, admission to the Garden Fair is free, and parking is also free. Visitors are advised that all sales are cash only. All proceeds go to civic activities of the Master Gardeners, including raising and donating fresh produce, community beautification and education, and a scholarship fund.

“The Master Gardeners volunteers make outstanding contributions to life in Union County, and I encourage everyone interested in community service to come to the Garden Fair, speak with our volunteers and find out how you can participate in this worthwhile program,” said Chairman Granados.

Among the hundreds of plants and seedlings offered for sale, the Spring Garden Fair features deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant plants that thrive in Union County, including many easy-to-grow plants for beginner gardeners.

The Spring Garden Fair is also known for a large selection of herbs and tomatoes including the popular Ramapo and the Rutgers 250.

Along with plants, baked goods, books, crafts, and garden supplies for sale, the Spring Garden Fair offers free activities for gardeners of all ages including:

• Guided tours of the Demonstration Garden including the vegetable and herb gardens.
• Displays and information for Square Foot Gardening, Invasive Plants and Mosquito Control.
• Information on joining the Master Gardeners and the 4-H Master Tree Stewards.
• Children’s activities (children must be accompanied by adult during activities).
• Garden clinic and Rutgers information fact sheets for troubleshooting garden problems.

Attendees can bring plant and insect samples for diagnosis, and Rutgers soil test kits are available for sale.

Free parking is located nearby at the Trailside Nature and Science Center parking lot and the Scout Camping Area in the Watchung Reservation. Additional free parking is available in the Loop playground area, located a short walk away on the other side of the Trailside Center.

Visitors are advised to bring a small wagon to convey their purchases. Pets are not permitted at the Garden Fair.

The Spring Garden Fair is organized each year by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County, an all-volunteer organization run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board. Anyone with an interest in gardening and volunteer service can become a Master Gardener. No previous education or training in horticulture is required. 

Among the Master Gardeners many volunteer services are the free Garden Helpline (908-654-9852) where residents can receive gardening advice, horticulture programs for people with special needs, and a community gardening speakers’ bureau.

The group’s work in the Union County Demonstration Garden has yielded thousands of pounds of fresh produce for local food pantries and many donations of cut flowers to cancer centers along with other projects and programs.

For more information on the Master Gardeners program contact Tamisha Hopkins at the Extension, 908-654-9854 (ext. 2), or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

The Extension offices are located in the Colleen Frasier county services building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield.

More information on the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County is available at mastergardeners-uc.org.

For quick links to all Union County programs related to gardening, sustainability and nature conservation visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

 

#  #

 

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce a special free event, Good Plants and Bad Plants: How to Tell the Difference and Support Healthy Ecosystems, on Wednesday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

The event is free but pre-registration is required by emailing watershed7@ucnj.org.

Landscapers and property managers are encouraged to attend, as well as homeowners, gardeners, civic and environmental organizations, and members of the public who are interested in conserving native species.

“Conserving our natural heritage is something that practically anyone in Union County can support, whether it’s eliminating invasive species from your own property, helping to preserve native plants in our public parks, or educating yourself and sharing your knowledge with others,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Attendees will learn why native plants are important, how to select beneficial native plants for their property or business, and how to help foster a healthy, diverse ecosystem in the Union County community.

Good Plants and Bad Plants is presented by Mike Van Clef, an expert on rare and invasive species and co-founder of the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team. Mr. Van Clef has 25 years of experience in the field of ecological health monitoring and natural resource policy.

This event is a special presentation by the Department of Parks and Recreation Environmental Services office through the New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program and is part of Chairman Grandados’s 2018 Plant A Seed initiative, designed to empower Union County residents of all ages through environmental engagement and education.

For additional information or to find more about nature conservation in Union County parks visit the Adopt-a-Park program online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-789-3683.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connect.

#  #

 

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Please note: due to inclement weather, the May 12 event at Green Brook Park has been postponed until further notice.

Union County, NJ – If you are looking for a chance to pitch in for the environment, come to a special volunteer event with the Union County Adopt-a-Park program and members of the North Plainfield Shade Tree Advisory Board on Saturday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and help clean up a section of Green Brook Park.

Green Brook is part of the Union County Parks system. It is located in Plainfield and extends into North Plainfield.

Members of the public can meet up with the cleanup team at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of Parkview Avenue and Clinton Avenue in North Plainfield, next to the Green Brook Park sign.

This area is tended to regularly by members of the Shade Tree Advisory Board, and extra hands are needed on May 12 to help pick up litter and debris, and clear away invasive species so that native plants have room to grow next spring.

Gloves, bags and tools will be provided and participants should bring an empty bucket if they have one. The cleanup event will be over by noon.

Volunteers should dress to get muddy and/or dirty!

Any individual or group can join Adopt-A-Park and help preserve Union County’s 36 public parks. For more information visit Adopt-A-Park online at ucnj.org/parks or call 908-789-3683.

For quick links to all Union County environmental programs and activities visit The Green Connection, ucnj.org/green-connection.

#  #

 

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

Connect with Union County on social media.