Union County

Drake House celebrates 270 years

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union county

The Drake House, a public museum owned by Plainfield and administered by the Historical Society of Plainfield, will be celebrating its 270th anniversary by holding a birthday party for George Washington on Saturday, February 20 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. The house was built in 1746 by Isaac Drake as a home for his son, Nathaniel. And it was at the Drake House that George Washington consulted with his officers during and after the Battle of Short Hills on June 25-27, 1777. A reenactor portraying George Washington will mingle with guests at the celebration, which will offer cake and refreshments. The event will also feature the unveiling of an oil portrait commissioned for the 270th anniversary of the Drake House as well as the 95th anniversary of the Historical Society of Plainfield. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

County’s Spring and Fall Slow-Pitch Softball Leagues Forming

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Teams are being sought for the Middlesex County Parks and Recreation Office’s Adult Slow Pitch Softball Leagues, with sessions planned for both Spring and Fall. Those interested can register now and begin play as early as March 2016. Registration is now open. The Spring leagues will begin play in late March, and their team divisions are: Sunday Men’s, Tuesday Men’s and Thursday Co-ed. Fall leagues will begin to play in late August. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

Paint the Pavement Art Contest Now Accepting Entrants

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Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc. is holding an art contest to promote awareness of distracted walking. In 2005, there were 256 emergency room visits attributed to distracted walking. By 2010, that number rose more than 500%, not including visits to personal physicians. Whether texting, talking, listening to music, conversing with friends, or daydreaming, distracted pedestrians are a danger to themselves and others. Paint the Pavement is an educational campaign to raise awareness of distracted walking with painted messages or pictures on the sidewalk. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

Teams Sought for Freeholders’ Annual Youth Basketball Tournament

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basketball

The Middlesex County Office of Parks and Recreation is seeking teams for the annual Board of Chosen Freeholders’ Youth Basketball Tournament, which starts in early March. Games are played Mondays through Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and will be held at the Piscataway Campus of the Middlesex County Vocational-Technical Schools, 21 Sutton Lane. The tournament consists of four divisions:

Youth Division #1 (Boys and Girls ages 10 and under)
Youth Division #2 (Boys and Girls ages 12 and under)
Youth Division #3 (Boys and Girls ages 13 and 14)
Youth Division #4 (Boys and Girls ages 15 to 17)

Age cutoff is Oct. 31. Teams must have a minimum of five, but no more than 20, participants. Continue Reading →

Dunellen

Temporary Water Treatment Change for Dunellen New Jersey American Water Customers

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water alert drop

For a two-month period, New Jersey American Water will change the water treatment process at its Raritan-Millstone Water Treatment Plant in Bridgewater and at its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset from chloramines (a combination of ammonia and chlorine) to free chlorine. The temporary treatment is done annually as routine maintenance to ensure high quality, reliable water service throughout New Jersey American Water’s distribution system. The change will begin on February 15, 2016 and last through the end of April. During this period, customers may notice an increase in the taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. Continue Reading →

Somerset County

Special Meeting on Somerset County ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan on 2/23

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The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders will hold a Special Meeting on the County “ADA” Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan on Tuesday February 23, 2016 immediately following the regular Freeholder Meeting at 6:30 p.m.This special meeting is open to any citizen of the County and feedback is appreciated as to how the County can better serve those of the public with disabilities. Copies of the updated draft of the “ADA” Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan is available at the Freeholder’s Office, third floor, County Administration Building, 20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ, Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Freeholders Meeting Room, 3rd floor, County Administration Building, 20 Grove Street, Somerville, New Jersey. For questions about accessibility please contact Kathryn Quick at 908-231-7037 or quick@co.somerset.nj.us
Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

Gardening with Youth Conference Coming to Middlesex County

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Middlesex County’s Office of Extension Services will present a new program that demonstrates how gardening can be used as an educational tool for young people. “Digging Into Youth Gardens: A Conference for Educators and Community Leaders” will take place on Saturday, March 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at East Jersey Old Town Village, located at 1050 River Road, Piscataway. The conference fee will be $25 with early registration by Wednesday, March 2 and $30 for late registration. Checks, made payable to Middlesex County treasurer can be mailed to or dropped off at the EARTH Center in Davidsons Mill Pond Park located at 42 Riva Avenue, which is geographically located in South Brunswick. The purpose of the conference is to assist schools, community youth groups, churches, YMCAs and other groups in starting and maintaining a youth garden. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

Free American Indian Dance Program on 2/26

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The Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage and the Folklife Program for New Jersey welcome the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers for a colorful and lively performance of traditional dance and music, representing tribal groups found throughout the United States on Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m. at the Crossroads Theatre located at 7 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Known for their dedication to the preservation and cross-cultural understanding of Native American cultures, the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers are an inter-tribal ensemble who preserve and perpetuate the songs and dances of their community. Since 1963, the dancers and their Artistic Director Louis Mofsie, have presented dances and songs which reflect the variety of American Indian cultures, regions and traditions from the Iroquois to the Inuit. This is a free program, but registration is required. To register, please call 732-745-4489. Continue Reading →

Middlesex County

Beekeeping Workshop at the EARTH Center

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The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County is hosting a free introductory beekeeping workshop. Introduction to Beekeeping is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 27 at the EARTH Center, located in Davidson’s Mill Pond Park at 42 Riva Avenue in South Brunswick. At this workshop, participants will learn the basics of establishing a hive on their own property, and about the positive impact hobbyist beekeepers have had on the environment’s honeybee population. “This class should generate a lot of interest in beekeeping, and allow those who have never thought about this traditional practice to understand its purpose and importance,” said Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Chair of the Business Development and Education Committee. Another topic of discussion will be the best kind of plants to use as pollen sources in your garden, which is especially important if pollen is scarce in your area. Continue Reading →

Somerset County

Somerset County Sheriff’s Office to Start Using Body Worn Cameras

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Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano has announced the implementation of Body Worn Cameras for his officers at the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. The body worn cameras were purchased in 2015 with funds from a federal Drug Enforcement Agency grant. The Sheriff’s Office has been working in close collaboration with Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano to develop standard operating procedures for the use of the body worn cameras in accordance with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Directive 2015-1. The cameras also can aid in investigations by capturing real-time incidents as they are occurring; assist in the collection of evidence; memorialize information at crime scenes; improve the ability to identify suspects and enhance the accuracy of victim and witness statements. The body camera video also provides prosecutors with an additional investigative tool in court proceedings. Continue Reading →