News in Brief: Bomb Squad Collecting Fireworks, Ammunition Saturday; County Collecting 'Special Waste'

Union County is holding a "special waste" collection next Saturday, and it is seeking volunteers to become certified "master tree stewards." In addition, the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA expanded its dance program offerings this year. 

Here are the short news items from this week: 

Bomb Squad Collecting Fireworks, Ammunition Saturday, County Collecting 'Special Waste'

Union County will hold "a special recycling event" at Union County Vocational Technical Schools in Scotch Plains on Saturday, Aug. 7, it announced in a press release distributed last week. From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., county residents can drop off "household special waste," including mercury thermometers and thermostats, propane tanks and automobile tires.

The Union County Bomb Squad will also be on hand collect ammunition and fireworks. For information about the ammunition and fireworks collection, call the Union County Police at 908-654-9800.

All county residents are eligible to participate at no cost. Businesses, however, may not participate. Workers will help unload the vehicles.

In addition to the items listed above, "household special waste" also includes oil-based paint and varnish, antifreeze, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, corrosives, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, thinners, fire extinguishers, motor oil and oil filters, gasoline, batteries, thermostats, fluorescent bulbs (unbroken), blood pressure devices and mercury switches. Only materials in original or labeled containers will be accepted. No containers larger than five gallons will be accepted.

Latex (water-based) paint and empty cans also will not be accepted. Once dried out, cans of latex paint should be disposed of with the regular garbage. Leftover latex paint can be air-dried or, to hasten the drying process, kitty litter and/or newspaper can be added to hasten the drying.

There is a limit of eight automobile tires (without rims) per household. This is a household recycling event. 

Residents who turn in old mercury fever thermometers can receive a new mercury-free digital thermometer, free of charge. One new digital thermometer per household will be provided (while supplies last), regardless of the number of mercury thermometers dropped off. Please bring mercury thermometers in a sealed plastic bag to prevent release of mercury in case of accidental breakage.

For every mercury thermostat turned in, residents will receive a $5 gift certificate to Home Depot, provided by Covanta Energy, an international energy-to-waste company that has partnered with Union County for the Aug. 7 event.

A complete list of the materials that will be accepted on Aug. 7 is available at the Union County Bureau of Planning and Environmental Conservation website: www.ucnj.org/recycle

The household special waste collection will be held rain or shine. Proof of Union County residency is required. For more information, please call the Recycling Hotline at 908-654-9889.

County Seeks Master Tree Stewards

The Union County 4-H Youth Development program is seeking volunteers to become master tree stewards, it announced in a press release distributed Wednesday. Stewards help teach local fourth graders about trees, conservation and the environment.

To become a certified master tree steward, no teaching experience is needed, the release said. Simply sign up for a series of training sessions guided by experts from the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, which is supported in part by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Most of the training consists of field trips to the Great Swamp, Rutgers Helyar Woods and other nearby conservation areas. Transportation is provided for the field trips.

The next series of master tree steward training classes starts Sept. 15.  The entire series is free, including the trips, transportation and classroom materials. For more information, contact 4-H agent James Nichnadowicz by calling 908-654-9854, or email nichnadowicz@aesop.rutgers.edu.

YMCA Expands Dance Program to Include 9 and 10-Year-Olds; Offers Adult Tap Class

Children ages 9 and 10 can now enroll in the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA's Dance Program, which starts Sept. 13. The program was previously limited to children ages 3-8 and  adults.

The program offers classes in ballet, jazz (hip-hop, musical theater, lyrical), modern, tap and combination classes of dance and swim. It will also offer a new beginner tap dance program for adults. The class will introduce students to terminology, warm-up, across the floor work and combinations. The class will take place Wednesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Those interested in competing and gaining more performance experience can also audition for the dance program's competitive dance company. The company will take part in a winter concert, a spring concert, competitions and workshops with professional dance educators. The audition takes place Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m.

For more information on all the dance classes at the YMCA, call 908-889-8880.