Tag: chairman granados

Union County, NJ – County residents seeking an active and fun community service opportunity are invited to join the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County community volunteer program. No previous experience with gardening is required. All Master Gardeners are trained and certified by Rutgers experts.

Applications for the 31^st annual Master Gardner class training series in Union County are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is September 20^th.

“The Master Gardeners program provides both seasoned gardeners and beginners with an opportunity to build their knowledge while serving their community,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support our Master Gardeners who have touched the lives of thousands of Union County residents throughout the years.”

The mission of the Master Gardeners is to share knowledge, experience, and love of gardening through community activities including neighborhood garden and beautification projects, education, and outreach to seniors and the disabled.

The Master Gardeners maintain, as the highlight of the program, a 1.5 acre educational demonstration garden at Trailside in the Watching Reservation. The elaborate grounds serve as the platform for the Master Gardeners’ large produce donation program, educational programs, summer camps, and many other initiatives. The garden features themed gardens, a greenhouse and a vegetable “Sharing Garden” that donates produce to local food pantries.

The Master Gardeners program is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. It is supported by the Freeholder Board as part of a national county-based community agriculture program under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Extension offices are located in the County’s Colleen Fraser Building in Westfield, and the Demonstration Garden is located in the County’s Watchung Reservation near the Trailside Nature and Science Center.

The training and certification program consists of weekly sessions from October 16^th through May of next year. A $200 materials fee will be due upon acceptance to the program which covers all textbooks, notebooks and class materials. Trainees commit to at least 6 hours of volunteer service before training is completed, and a total of 60 hours of service over a period of 12 to 18 months.

To obtain a Master Gardeners application and more information on all programs of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, visit ucnj.org/rce. For additional information contact Tamisha Hopkins at thopkins@ucnj.org or call: 908-654-9854, extension 2.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – September is National Preparedness month, and with the season’s first coastal storms forming in the Atlantic Ocean, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents to prepare now in case of extreme weather.

“Now is the time to take stock of your home or business, and ensure that you are prepared to keep safe in case of stormy weather,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Forecasters are currently tracking Hurricane Florence. The storm is heading northward from Bermuda. It could take any one of several different pathways, from veering harmlessly out to sea or turning in to impact the US east coast.

Basic preparedness guidance includes assembling an emergency kit that provides for three to five days of supplies in case of interruption in electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or other local services.

Emergency kits should include non-perishable food and water, prescription medications, baby supplies and any additional items for special medical needs.

The kit should also include important phone numbers for doctors as well as cell phone chargers.

A battery-operated radio, flash lights, extra batteries as well as non-electric items likes can openers should also be included.

The needs of pets should also be taken into consideration when planning and making an emergency kit.

Staying aware of developing news is also vitally important. Residents are urged to sign up for Union County’s free alert system, First Alert, at ucnj.org/alerts, to receive automatic alerts and updates on their mobile devices and computers.

Residents without Internet access will receive alerts on their land line phones through the reverse 9-11 system.

For more guidance on emergency preparedness in Union County, visit ucnj.org/prepare.

In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a series of detailed guidelines designed to help the public learn and practice emergency skills. Learn more at ready.gov/september.

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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.

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UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites members of the community to honor the memory of the 60 Union County residents who perished in the World Trade Center attack of 2001 by visiting the Union County September 11th Memorial on Tuesday, September 11 at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.

The Memorial is open from the morning hours until 9:00 p.m. on September 11. Members of the Union County Sheriff’s Office will provide a uniformed Honor Guard standing watch at the memorial from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to bring and light candles in memory of those lost in the attacks.

“Over the years, the September 11th Memorial has provided our residents with a communal place for quiet reflection. On this date, we honor and those who perished, we remember the many acts of bravery that occurred that day, and we resolve, now more than ever, to show our strength as a community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The Union County September 11th Memorial incorporates elements of design that include all three sites where lives were lost. Two girders recovered from the ruins of the World Trade Center are arranged within a five sided area representing the Pentagon, and an Eternal Flame represents those who died in Pennsylvania along with members of the Armed Services and emergency responders.

In addition to these elements, the names of the 60 deceased Union County residents are etched into the memorial.

Dedicated on Sept. 13, 2003 the memorial was constructed through private donations including in-kind work by labor unions and materials at cost.

The Freeholder Board worked with residents of Cranford, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, Rahway, Scotch Plains, Summit, Union and Westfield in planning and building the Memorial.

It is located near the Springfield Avenue entrance of Echo Lake Park on the border of Mountainside and Springfield.

For additional information on the Union County September 11th Memorial, visit online at ucnj.org/9-11-memorial.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that nationally renowned gun safety activist Shannon Watts, founder of the national Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense organization, will participate in a free screening and discussion of the 2016 documentary film Making a Killing: Gus, Greed and the NRA in partnership on Wednesday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the STEM Building auditorium at Kean University, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

Governor Phil Murphy’s Senior Advisor on Firearms, Bill Castner will also speak at the event, which is sponsored by the Freeholder Board in partnership with the non-profit organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in New Jersey.

The event is free but pre-registration is requested online at ucnj.org/making-a-killing-movie-screening.

“We need forceful national policies that promote safety for all communities, and Ms. Watts has been an effective and eloquent agent for change,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “I hope that people will come to the screening to learn, to ask questions, and to help create new pathways for reform.”

Making a Killing tells the stories of how guns affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal stories from people across the country who have been impacted by gun violence, including survivors and victims’ families involved in unintentional shootings, domestic violence, suicides, mass shootings and trafficking.

The film also focuses on the role of gun manufacturers in promoting a legislative environment that enables gun violence to continue in the US, far beyond levels experienced in other western democracies.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in New Jersey is an affiliate of the national Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organization founded by Ms. Watts in 2012, shortly after a gunman murdered 20 children ages six and seven, and six adult staff members, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

The organization quickly grew into a leading force for gun violence prevention, with chapters in all 50 states. Moms Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country at more than four million supporters. 

 

Making a Killing was produced by the film company Brave New Films. To see a trailer, follow the registration link or visit bravenewfilms.org/making_a_killing_guns.

For more information about the September 12 event contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator, Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at nahernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.

 

The Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity is part of Chairman Granados’s “Moving Union County Forward” initiative for individual empowerment, education and community service. More information about the office is available at ucnj.org.

 

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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.

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Elizabeth, NJ —Tickets for the 2018 Hayrides and Campfires event presented by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Union County Department of Parks & Recreation are now available for purchase online and in person at three locations throughout Union County.   All tickets must be purchased in advance, there will be no tickets sold on site. All ticket sales will be final, with no refunds or exchanges. The event includes the hayride, entertainment, and hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast over a campfire.

The first Hayride and Campfire will be on Friday, October 5^th at the Warinanco Park Sports Center. That evening has also been designated Military Appreciation Night. Rides will run from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside will host the remaining events, beginning on Sunday, October 7, from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.; Friday, October 12 from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 14 from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.; and the final scheduled event is on Friday, October 19 from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m.

“The hayride and campfire events are always among the most popular events in our parks, so those interested in participating should get their tickets early, either online or in person, and plan for a fun filled evening to begin the fall,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

Tickets are priced at $6.00 for Union County Resident, $12.00 for Non-Residents. Group sales are limited to 15 tickets. To order tickets online visit www.ucnj/tickets.

Tickets will be on sale at the following locations and times:

• The Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East in Westfield, Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Elizabeth Office, Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.

 

For further information you can call the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation at 908-527-4900; or Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670; or visit the Union County website at www.ucnj.org.

 

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that a free yoga and women’s wellness event will be held in celebration of the 2018 International Day of Peace on Friday evening, September 21, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Warinanco Sports Center in Union County’s Warinanco Park.

As a suggested donation, participants are invited to bring a box or bag of feminine hygiene products. The donations will be given to the organization “Girls Helping Girls. Period,” in support of women in need.

“This event is an opportunity for women in Union County to connect with their peers, recharge their energy for the fall season, and raise awareness that many women and girls struggle to afford basic necessities that are often taken for granted, here in the U.S. and around the world,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The International Day of Peace event is the latest in a series of popular wellness sessions for women offered through the Union County Office on Women, part of the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services.

The evening includes:

• A networking session with a short talk and introduction by Jennifer Erdos, Coordinator, Union County Office on Women.

 

• Yoga session by Nicole DeAugustine, certified yoga instructor.

 

• Guided meditation ceremony by Betsy Sanders

The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and is expected to conclude at approximately 9:00 p.m. It is open to women age 16 and older, at any level of yoga skill from beginner to expert.

Attendees should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for yoga, and bring their own yoga mats.

The event is free but space is limited. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/womans-yoga.

For more details about the event email Jennifer Erdos at jerdos@ucnj.org or call 908-527-4216.

Girls Helping Girls. Period is a non-profit organization that provides women in need with feminine hygiene products. The lack of affordable tampons and pads impacts women across the U.S. and globally, forcing them to cut back on other critical purchases, miss days at school or work, or rely on substandard alternatives.

The International Day of Peace was established on September 21 of each year by a unanimous resolution of the United Nations in 1981. It provides a platform for communities around the world to celebrate the ideal of peace, in any way they choose.

The Union County Office on Women is the first county-based office of its kind in New Jersey. Launched as an initiative of Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen while serving as Freeholder Chairman in 2016, the Office helps women connect with services and programs that enable them to reach their full potential at every stage of their lives, and helps to raise awareness of the many contributions that women make to life in Union County.

The Warinanco Sports Center is located in Warinanco Park at One Park Drive, Roselle. It is part of the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, created when the former Warinanco Ice Skating Center was expanded and upgraded in 2017. To contact the venue, call 908-298-7849 or email info@warinancopark.com.

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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.

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Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents that a free screening of the 2016 documentary film Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the STEM Building auditorium at Kean University, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township, in partnership with the non-profit organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in New Jersey.

Bill Castner, the Senior Advisor on Firearms for New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, will speak at the event.

“Mr. Castner lends his considerable experience in legal and legislative matters to the screening of Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We hope that the film will inspire and inform next steps for action on common sense legislation aimed at reducing gun violence.”

The event is free but pre-registration is requested online through the Union County website, at ucnj.org/making-a-killing-movie-screening. A discussion period will follow the screening.

Making a Killing tells the story of how guns affect the lives of everyday Americans, and highlights the influence of gun manufacturers on state and national policy. To view a trailer for the film, follow the registration link or visit bravenewfilms.org/making_a_killing_guns.

For more information about the screening contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator, Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at nahernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.

The Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity is part of Chairman Granados’s “Moving Union County Forward” initiative for individual empowerment, education and community service. More information about the office is available at ucnj.org.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the professional staffing company Enjoy Your Party will hold a hiring event on Thursday, September 13 at the County’s Workforce Innovation Business Center for persons interested in applying for positions in the food service, hospitality and catering industries.

A total of 100 full-time, part-time and seasonal positions are available for banquet servers, bartenders, dishwashers, chefs, food prep workers and chefs in Elizabeth and in the Union County area.

“Employers in Union County know they can come to the WIB Center to streamline their hiring process and connect with qualified applicants,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This is an especially good opportunity for Union County residents who are seeking flexible or part-time hours with a top company in the staffing field.”

The hiring event will be held at the Union County WIB Center, located in the Kellogg Building at the Union County College campus in Elizabeth at 40 West Jersey Street on Thursday, September 13, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Participants should bring a copy of their resume to the hiring event. Requirements for employment also include access to reliable transportation, and ability to pass a background check.

Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/wdb/job-fairs-and-opportunities.

For more details about the Enjoy Your Party information session call the WIB Center at 908-965-2992 or email Isaias Rivera, isaias.rivera@ucc.edu.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – Union County 4-H Clubs are gearing up for a new season, and Union County students in grades 1-12 are invited to join their peers in a hands-on exploration of popular fields ranging from  archery, cooking and fashion to Lego robotics and other STEM subjects. Youth in their first year after graduating high school can also join.

To sign up for a club, meet the club leaders and find out more about 4-H activities, students must attend this year’s annual 4-H Open House on Friday evening, September 21, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Union County Magnet High School. The school is located at Mancuso Hall in the Union County Vocational-Technical Schools campus, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains.

“Programs like 4-H help our youth develop important life skills and become leaders, especially when it comes to inspiring the next generation of innovators in STEM fields,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to support 4-H, which helps our youth develop personal initiative, teamwork and giving back to the community.”

Union County 4-H is run by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported in part by the Freeholder Board. It is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s national 4-H youth development program, which seeks to connect state universities with youth and adults in their communities.

4-H clubs first began forming in 1902. Today they make up the largest youth program in the country, with nearly 6 million student participants and 540,000 adult volunteers nationwide.

According to a recent national study, 4-H participants are more likely to get better grades in school, seek out science classes, see themselves going to college, avoid risky behavior, and make positive contributions to their communities.

Union County 4-H clubs are organized around modern topics like Anime, Lego Robotics, S.T.E.M. and Fashion Design, as well as traditional favorites including horticulture, cooking and archery.

Students can also join a Variety Club and explore topics of their own creation. For older students, 4-H offers membership in the Community Service Club, which plans and conducts community service programs throughout Union County.

For more information about the September 21 Open House and this year’s 4-H Clubs, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at 908-654-9854 or jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org, or visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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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.

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Union County, NJ – As summer is winding down, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders continues to encourage recycling with several free events this September.

“Now that residents are returning home from their vacations and preparing to start the school year, these free events offer a convenient opportunity to dispose of unwanted household items in a manner that is secure and environmentally safe,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “By participating in countywide recycling initiatives, all Union County residents can do their part by practicing good environmental stewardship.”

Union County’s scrap metal recycling program continues in September. These events are held on the first Thursday and third Saturday of each month. This month’s events will take place on Thursday, September 6 and Saturday, September 15.

Residents can drop off their materials for recycling at two different locations: the Emergency Services Building at 151 Kenilworth Boulevard in Cranford and the Park Service Yard at Rahway River Park. Both events will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Accepted items include old appliances, bicycles, air conditioners, microwaves and more.

Union County will host two mobile paper shredding events in September. The first event will take place on Thursday, September 13 at the Linden Recycling Center, located at 2 Donaldson Place. There will be a second event held on Friday, September 21 at the Westfield Memorial Pool at 713 Cumberland Street.

Both events will run from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. The events will end early if the shredding trucks reach capacity.

Residents can bring up to four bags of confidential documents for shredding weighing less than 10 pounds each.

As part of Union County’s recycling programs, the recycling events support the goals of Chairman Granados’s Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative for building participation in recycling countywide and engaging the public in conservation and environmental education.

The Freeholder Board is also encouraging all residents to sign up for “Recycle Coach,” a free app that makes it easier to stay up to date about countywide recycling information and municipal recycling schedules.

More information about the Recycle Coach app can be found at ucnj.org/recycling/recycle-coach-app.

For more details on all upcoming recycling events, visit ucnj.org/recycling or call the Union County Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

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

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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.

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