News in Brief

Scotch Plains Resident a Finalist for Community Service Award

Allstate insurance named Scotch Plains resident Nelson Espeland a finalist for its Community Service Award, according to a press release distributed last week. Espeland donates his time to the Summit YMCA and HomeFirst of Plainfield, which provides housing and social services to the homeless. Both organizations will receive a $500 grant from Allstate.

Espeland also volunteers in St. Barnabas Hospital's burn unit and the Scotch Plains Police Department's D.A.R.E. program. He coaches his daughter's youth soccer team as well.

"I spend a lot of time working with charities within the Scotch Plains area, so it was an amazing feeling to be told that I was a finalist for such a prestigious company award," Espeland said in the press release. "Community involvement makes you feel good and it's a great way to show people that you care about the neighborhood and are committed to it."

Espeland owns the Allstate agency at 2284 South Avenue in Scotch Plains.

General Mills Awards Grant to Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA

The General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids awarded a grant to the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA last week, according to a press release distributed by the YMCA. The grant is for a new program titled Tween Tri Camp; scheduled to run this summer and also throughout the 2010-2011 school year.

This program will focus on middle school children to help them develop a healthier lifestyle focusing on triathlon training and nutrition education. The summer camp runs for 4-one week sessions beginning July 12 and ending August 5^th.

A USA Triathlon certified coach will train participants in swimming, biking and walking/running. And a registered dietician will help participants make nutritional snacks. Strength training, yoga and pilates are also on the schedule. At the end of the camp, participants will have the opportunity to participant in mini-triathlons August 6 and Sept. 26^th

To learn more, call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA at (908) 889-8880

YMCA Places Fourth at Gymnastics Regional Championships

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA's gymnastics team brought home the fourth place, Level 8 trophy on Monday from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.

The team consisted of 15 gymnasts, including Hannah Kronick, who competed in the Level 9 division. She earning a fifth-place medal on the uneven bars.

Kronick's teammates on the Level 8 level also won individual awards:

In the 12-and-under age group, Danielle Scheu earned fourth-place on the uneven bars. 

In the 13-year-old age group, Lauren Lockfeld earned second on the uneven bars, third on vault, and fourth on balance beam and All Around. Abigail Fontana who earned third-place on the uneven bars.

In the 14-year-old age group, Kacie Bumiller captured third-place on vault and balance beam, and fifth-place on floor exercise and all around. Lizzie Kwok earned fourth-place on the uneven bars, fifth-plae on balance beam and six-place all around.  Zoe-Nicole Stein earned second-place on vault. Marissa DiBella placed sixth in the vault.

In the 15- and 16-year-old age group, Lisa Matrale earned sixth-place all around and on the uneven bars, and seventh-place on vault.  Michelle Rogoff earned fourth-place on vault.  Olivia Dunham placed fifth on the uneven bars. Kaitlyn Frey, Heather Mullen, Kelsey Herbig and Victoria Shack also competed.

To learn more about joining the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA's gymnastics program, call (908) 889-8880.

Union County Announces Farmers' Market Voucher Program for Seniors

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced Wednesday the 2010 schedule for the Union County Senior Farmers' Market Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and coordinated by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, this program helps income eligible residents over 60-years-old purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs with "Jersey Fresh" vouchers.

To qualify for $20 worth of vouchers, an individual's annual income cannot exceed $20,036. A married couple's annual income cannot exceed $26,955 per year. Proof of income is required and applicants may present a Medicaid card, SSI Card, Food Stamp verification or annual pension & Social Security statement when applying for "Jersey Fresh" vouchers.  Advance registration applications are available at all senior centers and the county's senior nutrition sites after June 15, 2010.

Below is a list of times and places for the Senior Farmers' Market for the months of June and July:

• Tuesday, June 29, Elizabeth Farmers Market, Union Square Plaza at High Street and Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth. Vouchers will be available 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Farmers will be present from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, July 7, Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut Street, Roselle Park. Vouchers will be available 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Farmers will be at the Gazebo Parking Lot at Chestnut Street and East Grand Avenue from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
• Friday, July 9, Hillside Senior Center, 265 Hollywood Avenue, Hillside. Vouchers will available 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. There will be no farmers available at this location.
• Monday, July 12, O'Donnell Dempsey Center, 622 Salem Avenue, Elizabeth. Vouchers will be available 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Farmers will be present 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.
• Thursday, July 15, Bethel AME Church, 241 Hilton Avenue in the Vauxhall section of Union Township. Vouchers will be available 9:00 am – 11:30 am. There will be no farmers available at this location.
• Wednesday, July 21, Union Senior Center, 968 Bonnell Court, Union. Vouchers will be available 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and buses will be available to transport seniors to the Kean University Farmers Market.
• Friday, July 23, First Baptist Church, Prince Street and Union Avenue in Elizabeth. Vouchers will be available 9:00 am -12:00 noon. Farmers will be present 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• Friday, July 23, Pinewood Hall, 250 West Second Avenue, Roselle. Vouchers will be available 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Farmer will also be available at the same time.
• Monday, July 26, Ann Ferguson Towers, 1601 Dill Avenue, Linden. Vouchers will be available 9:00 am – 12:00 noon. Farmer will be present 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
• Wednesday, July 28, Plainfield Senior Center, 200 East Front Street, Plainfield. Vouchers will be available 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Farmer will present during those same times.

Sign Up for Union County Archery ID Cards at Oak Ridge Park in Clark

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced Thursday that archery enthusiasts may purchase identification cards that permit them to use Union County's new Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park in Clark through June 30, 2011.

The annual archery ID card may be purchased at Oak Ridge Park on Monday evening, June 28, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Archers must provide proof of having passed an accredited archery safety course in order to purchase a Union County Archery Range ID card.

The fee for the Archery Range ID card is $20 for adult residents of Union County, and $30 for out-of-county adults; $10 for Union County youths (17 and younger) and $15 for out-of-county youths; $10 for Union County seniors (55 and older) and $15 for out-of-county seniors. Residents of Edison Township pay Union County rates.

The Union County Archery Range at Oak Ridge Park is open daily, dawn to dusk. For more information about the Archery Range, call the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900, or visit the Union County web site at: www.ucnj.org.

JCC "Shapes Up," Opens New Fitness Center Monday

The JCC of Central of New Jersey will debut its newly renovated fitness center Monday, June 21, according to a press release the JCC distributed last week. 

The overhaul includes a larger workout area and upgraded fitness center. It is part of a general renovation of the JCC facility, which includes an updated reception area.

To learn more, call the JCC of Central New Jersey at (908) 889-5335.